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HEARING AID MANUFACTURES:
We work with nine major hearing aid manufacturers. This allows us to offer every possible circuit available on the market. There are other major manufactures; however with the technology explosion. I have limited the number of manufacturers we work with so we are able to offer the latest in factory modifications or additions to their hearing aids as well as new products.
HEARING AID CIRCUITS:
We have every hearing aid circuit available. We have the standard (analog) circuits that have been around for years and we also have the newest and latest in computer programmable and digital processing hearing aids. Prices range from $800 to $2900 each.
The standard analog circuits have been around for years and, in many cases, yield very good results. Digital hearing aids are new and patients tend to hear and understand better with them. We have many of our patients who are trying these digital aids to see if they are any better. They do this by trying them on a 30 day NO OBLIGATION trial period.
Background sound is a problem and, to be perfectly honest, there is no hearing aid that will eliminate it. Some digital processors, especially those with directional microphones, can reduce background sound to a certain extent.
The digital processor is a small computer inside the hearing aid that constantly samples and analyzes sounds. The main function of a digital processor is to make the soft sounds louder while, at the same time, making the loud sounds softer. This is a remarkable technological advancement. With this in mind, the theory is to make the soft speech sounds more audible and reduce the intensity of the loud sounds. The only way to see if a digital aid provides better hearing, and is financially justifiable, is to compare both the analog and digital aids.
HEARING AID STYLES:
There are four main styles of hearing aids. The best style does depend on the severity of the hearing loss and your listening needs. All of the styles listed below are available in either conventional analog or the new digital circuitry.
Completely-In-The-Canal (CIC)
This is the smallest aid on the market. It benefits mild to moderate losses. It does very well with using the phone. The secret with this hearing aid is that it fits closer to the eardrum than any other aid, which allows us to use less power.
In-The-Canal (ITC)
This is the one step bigger than the CIC. It benefits mild, moderate and some severe hearing losses.
In-The-Ear (ITE)
This aid will fill the space in the ear. It is bigger than the ITC. It benefits mild to severe hearing losses.
Behind-The-Ear (BTE)
This aid fits behind the ear with an earmold in the ear. It is more flexible than the above aids, for example where feedback (squealing) occurs with the above aids, it is much diminished with this aid.
We have access to all of the above styles and technologies. We will discuss your hearing problem with you and help you determine which style and technology to try. We will then let you try these aids in your different listening environments to see if they indeed help you. Below are some of our manufacturer's web sites.
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