Choose the Best Prescription
Hearing Aids to Meet Your Needs and Lifestyle
Over-the-counter hearing aids have added to the awareness of just how much hearing aid technology has advanced over the past 20 years. Instead of the bulky, frustrating devices you may remember your parents or grandparents wearing, today’s prescription hearing aids are more streamlined and user friendly, making them practically unnoticeable.
In addition to more discrete wearing, modern prescription hearing aid technology offers incredible sound processing power and precision, along with features like rechargeable batteries and Bluetooth connectivity to link your computer, cell phone or television directly to your hearing device, enhancing your hearing experience as well as your lifestyle.
Because everyone has unique hearing needs, lifestyles and personal preferences, a one-size-fits-all approach to precription hearing aids is never in your best interest. In contrast to OTC hearing aids, our audiologists conduct a comprehensive hearing assessment in order to measure the exact type and severity of your hearing loss, and then guide you through the process of selecting the hearing instrument that are a good match for your unique set of circumstances, including your budget.
We work with brand name hearing aid manufactures, like ReSound, Oticon, Starkey, Unitron and more, to provide you with plenty or hearing aid choices to meet your lifestyle, level of hearing loss, unique circumstances, preferred style, and budget.
Your comfort and satisfaction with the device you choose is our top priority, because ultimately, you’re the one who will being wearing the hearing instrument for years to come. In addition to helping you choose a hearing device, we provide all the ongoing followup care and support you need to ensure that you get the most benefit from your hearing device, services that don’t come with OTC devices.
There are many types of hearing aids (see below) and many manufacturers, each with their own strengths and weaknesses, and each more or less suitable for different people and conditions.
Invisible-In-The-Canal (IIC)
The IIC is a new kind of hearing aid that fits deep in your ear canal where no one can see it.
Designed with the most advanced hearing technology, this invisible solution can be used for many levels of hearing loss.
This type of hearing aid was created for first-time hearing aid users, and those who feel self-conscious about wearing a hearing aid.
It fits comfortably in your ear canal and it’s easy to remove for better ear health.
IIC hearing aids are custom made, and suitable for mild to moderately severe hearing loss.
In-The-Canal (ITC)
The ITC fits into the ear canal, so there is nothing on the outside of the ear.
The ITC is a bit larger than the CIC, but still mostly hidden from view. The ITC hearing aid is most suitable for mild to moderately severe hearing loss.
They are custom made to fit the shape of your ear canal, and can be made with a directional microphone to direct your hearing in a noisy room. Similar to the CIC, there are some considerations with the ITC.
They can be damaged by earwax and fluid draining from the ear. They are small in size, and may be difficult for some people to handle. Because of the potential for damage and their small size, the ITC is not recommended for children.
Receiver-In-Canal (RIC)
With the RIC hearing aid, there is a small case that sits behind the ear, and a connecting tube between the case and the earpiece that is nearly invisible.
The RIC can be made with one of two types of earpieces: one is a mold that fits into the ear canal.
The other is an “open fit” earpiece. Some people find open fit pieces more comfortable to wear because they don’t fit all the way into the ear canal, and don’t give the same feeling of fullness in the ear canal.
The RIC hearing aid is most suitable for mild to moderate hearing loss.
Completely-In-The-Canal (CIC)
Like the name suggests, the entire CIC hearing aid fits into the ear canal.
There is nothing on the outside of the ear, making it virtually unnoticeable.
The CIC hearing aid is custom-made to fit into your ear canal to ensure a perfect fit.
Most suitable for mild to moderately severe hearing loss, there are also some considerations with the CIC; they can be damaged by earwax and fluid draining from the ear, and they are small in size and may be difficult for some people to handle.
Behind-The-Ear (BTE)
The BTE hearing aid has a plastic mold that fits into the ear and a clear tube coming out and wrapping around the top of the ear.
The tube goes into a case that fits behind the ear and holds the other parts of the hearing aid.
The BTE hearing aid is suitable for people with moderate to severe hearing loss, and is especially good for those with severe hearing loss.
The BTE can be made with special features like a directional microphone to help you hear better in a noisy room, or a telecoil to enhance hearing while on the phone. Because this hearing aid stays tucked safely away behind the ear, it is the preferred hearing aid for children.
So much damage to your hearing, your mental and physical health as well as relationships can be done when hearing loss is left untreated. Identifying the type and severity of hearing loss in order to customize a plan of treatment or preventive measures makes a hearing assessment a critical element in your overall health and quality of life.
To ensure your hearing health, or that of a loved one, don’t continue to put off having a hearing test. Take the first step on the journey to better hearing by scheduling a hearing assessment.
