Hearing Aids

Digital technology is the most sophisticated hearing aid technology. Digital technology gives the audiologist maximum control over sound quality and sound processing characteristics.

There is qualitative and quantitative evidence that digital instruments outperform analog hearing aids. Digitals are not perfect, however they are extremely good and not all digital hearing aids are the same! Within the "digital" world, there are entry-level units and premium units and it essential to speak with your Audiologist before choosing a unit.

Styles

	ITE: In-The-Ear (ITE) units are often the most visible; the easiest to handle and they are also the largest of the custom made styles.
	ITC: In-The-Canal (ITC) require good dexterity to control the volume wheel and they are smaller than ITEs.
	CIC: Completely-In-the-Canal (CIC) units are the smallest in-the ear hearing aids made and one of the least visible. They require a "removal string" due to their small size so that it can fit deeply into the ear canal. CICs do not usually have manual controls attached to them because they are too small. These also have the smallest battery, thus the battery life is minimal as compared to larger units.
	BTE: Behind-The-Ear (BTE) hearing aids are the largest hearing aids and have a custom earmold that attaches to the hearing aid and sits in the ear canal. The earmold allows the sound to be filtered from the microphones and the circuitry from the hearing aid into the ear via tubing. Although they are the largest hearing aid, they can be hidden very well with a well-fit, skin-colored earmold. BTE’s have the most circuit options and they typically offer more power, flexibility, and battery life than custom made units.
	OPEN FIT: Open fit hearing aids are one of the smallest, most discreet hearing aids available. Similar to a BTE, these also have a part that fits into the ear canal and a part that sits behind the ear. The similarities, however end there, these aids are specific to consumers who have a high frequency hearing loss. There is no earmold associated with this type of aid, only a small tube with a tip fits into the ear canal keeping the canal open to prevent stuffiness, clogged or head in a barrel feeling that in-the-ear hearing aids may provide. In many manufacturers, a receiver sits inside the ear, providing clearer sound quality without the clogged, occluded sensation.
	We can repair any make or model by most hearing aid manufacturers. We dispense most major manufacturers.