We offer a wide selection of hearing aids to accommodate each individual’s hearing loss, lifestyle, and budget. We also have the latest premium hearing aid technology available, as well as the new implantable hearing aids and cochlear implants.
Hearing Aids and Instruments
Hearing aids come in all shapes and sizes, each with different internal circuitry to accommodate each individual’s specific hearing loss. Hearing aids range in price depending on the size (the smaller the more expensive) and internal circuitry (the more advanced the more expensive). The type of hearing aid that is recommended during the hearing aid evaluation is based on the individuals hearing loss, lifestyle, expectations and budget. Hearing aids are expensive therefore; it is only natural to shop around for the best price. We encourage this activity since buying hearing instruments is a significant investment. When shopping around, make sure that the instruments you’re comparing are the same make, model and size, if you’re in doubt bring the information in to us and we’ll help you sort it out. We hope you find the information below to be helpful in educating yourself and others about hearing aids. And remember, your success with hearing aids depends on your awareness of your hearing impairment, your willingness and desire to do something about it, and most importantly, your relationship with the professionals who can help you.
Hearing Aid Styles: (The size of the hearing aid)
Open Ear Micro BTE
This style offers maximum comfort and superior sound quality and performance. The ear canal is not occluded (plugged) which allows the user’s natural hearing to be enhanced with the amplification of high frequency sounds. This style is typically recommended for individuals with high frequency specific hearing loss (the most common), but can accommodate mild to severe hearing loss across the entire frequency range.
BTE- Behind-The-Ear
This style of hearing aid offers the most flexible fitting range, for mild to profound hearing loss, long battery life and it’s features are not limited by its size. A separate ear mold is needed to keep the hearing aid in place and provide a way to get the amplified sound into the ear canal.
FS- In-The-Ear/Full Shell
This style of hearing aid is the most versatile custom instrument, providing adequate amplification for mild to severe hearing loss. It’s size makes it easy to handle, and allows for extra features like multiple microphones, volume control, telephone switch and program selector.
HS- In-The-Ear/Half Shell
This style of hearing aid takes advantage of the outer ear’s natural ability to collect sound. While it’s about half the size of the ITE, it offers the right combination of appearance, affordability and adequate amplification for mild to moderate hearing loss.
CIC- Completely-In the-Canal
This style is the smallest available hearing aid; it’s almost invisible in the ear!! This hearing aid maximizes the outer ear’s natural ability to collect sound and funnel it into the hearing aid. This hearing aid is recommended for mild to moderate hearing loss.
Hearing Aid Technology (Internal Circuitry)
100% Digital technology
The advanced technology applied in today’s circuits provide a very natural and pleasing sound quality that can definitely improve an individuals hearing and communication ability and quality of life. With automatic and adaptive features, directional microphones, noise reduction and feedback suppression, today’s hearing instruments are more effective and comfortable in even the most difficult listening situations.
* Hearing aid accessories such as Dri-aid kits, batteries, earmold cleaning solution, wax removal tools, tubing for BTE’s, etc… are available.
Assistive Listening Devices (ALD)
An assistive listening device (ALD) is any type of device that can improve a hearing impaired persons communication ability by increasing the signal to noise ratio. An ALD can be used with or without hearing aids to overcome the negative effects of distance, background noise and poor room acoustics. So, whether you wear hearing aids or not, ALD’s can offer greater ease of hearing (therefore, reduced stress, fatigue and improved quality of life) in many day-to-day communications situations.
Hearing Aids + ALD’s = easier listening and improved communication.
We offer a wide array of ALD’s such as: personal TV amplifiers, Amplified telephones, doorbells and smoke alarms, vibrating alarm clocks, flashing lights and many more…
Hearing Protection
Our world is a noisy place and research has shown that noise levels are increasing everyday. Being exposed to excessive noise (shooting guns, loud music (concerts), power tools, machinery, engines, etc…) can cause severe damage to your hearing. If your ears “ring” or feel “plugged up” after being exposed to a loud or excessive noise that is your body’s way of telling you that your hearing is at risk of serious damage or has been seriously damaged. In order to prevent damaging your hearing, our audiologists can fit you with custom made hearing protection: |
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| Shooters plugs |
for people who hunt or target shoot |
| Musicians plugs and ear monitors |
to attenuate overall sound or frequency specific sounds using special filters. |
| Noise plugs |
for maximum reduction of overall noise levels. For people who work or play around excessive noise. |
| Swim plugs |
for swimmers who need to keep their ears dry. |
| Contact our audiologists for more information as to which type of hearing protection is right for you. |
Cochlear Implants
Sometimes, a hearing aid just isn’t enough. As hearing aid users know, hearing aids can only amplify the sounds that are already audible. So, if you suffer from a severe to profound hearing loss, the effect can be likened to listening to a loud, poorly tuned in radio program. You only experience fragments of the show, but at full volume.
Hearing aids only stimulate the outer parts of the ear. For most people with severe to profound hearing loss, it’s the inner ear that doesn’t work properly. A cochlear implant bypasses the damaged parts, stimulating the auditory nerve fibers directly- allowing the user to hear.
What is a cochlear implant?
A cochlear implant is an electronic device that provides the function of the damaged or absent hair cells (of the inner ear, cochlea) by providing electrical stimulation to the remaining nerve fibers. The implant provides useful hearing and improved communication abilities to the implant user. A cochlear implant is a safe, reliable and effective treatment for severe to profound hearing loss in adults, children and infants. For more information on cochlear implants please contact our office.
Batteries
We offer a full line of batteries for hearing aids and cochlear implants.
Battery Program: Our battery program offers you a free pack of batteries for every five packs purchased. We also sell cartons (10 packs) at a reduced cost and will mail batteries to you at your request.
For Questions, more information, or to schedule and appointment, call us at (361) 855-3000.
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