Hearing Aids

Many of the devices we use every day can be powered by one or two types of batteries, rechargeable batteries or disposable batteries. Hearing aids are no different. Rechargeable hearing aids are becoming more popular every year.  And as their popularity has increased the number of models has increased.  But why have hearing aids with rechargeable batteries become an increasingly popular choice for many people?

The Advantages of Hearing Aids with Rechargeable Batteries

• A full day’s power every day.
• Ease of use for individuals with decreased dexterity, visual disorders or disorders, decreased fingertip sensitivity. Just place the hearing aid on or in a special docking system (similar to a hearing aid case) and the battery in the hearing aids will charge overnight.  It’s a very similar process to charging a smartphone.
• Better for the environment, rechargeable hearing aid batteries require replacement annually. Non-rechargeable hearing aids will require replacement of the battery every week to two weeks
• Less worry about harm to pets and small children. Hearing aid batteries are small and easy for little hands and curious pets to pick up and swallow.  Rechargeable batteries can be left in the hearing aid to recharge, which means you are less likely to accidentally leave a battery in an easily accessible location.

There are numerous advantages to rechargeable hearing aids, too many to list in one short article.  Please reach out to us today. We work with the top hearing aid manufacturers and will work with you to find the solution that is the best fit for your hearing loss, lifestyle, and budget.

Bluetooth technology is a wireless communications system intended to replace the cables connecting many different types of devices, from mobile phones and headsets to heart monitors and medical equipment.

As a global standard, Bluetooth technology is in billions of products worldwide, including virtually every mobile phone, laptop, tablet, new car, and more than 40 million medical devices.

In 2005 the first hearing aids capable of utilizing Bluetooth technology in hearing aids were introduced.  Not long after manufacturers added Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids that were able to connect to televisions, MP 3 players, cell phones, and computers. 

Bluetooth technology is the most recent advance in hearing aids. It is a way to send digital information wirelessly over short distances. Bluetooth technology works to allow two hearing aids to wirelessly communicate with each other and also allows user to connect to devices in their home and car, like a DVD player, computer, GPS, and cell phone. There are pros and cons to having this type of technology in a hearing aid.

Advantages of Bluetooth Technology

Signal Stability – Bluetooth device uses multiple channels to convey the sound and is, therefore, less likely to lose that signal due to interference with one of the channels.

Higher Sound Quality – Feedback and whistling and other problems associated with some hearing aids is diminished with the use of Bluetooth and the sound quality, in general, is improved as well.

Binaural Hearing – Bluetooth technology allows hearing aids to speak with each other.  This allows the hearing aids to maintain the quality of speech and discern and localize sounds relevant to the listener’s position. A conventional phone can only be held to one ear at a time.  Bluetooth technology allows the user to hear their cell phone in both ears.

Hands-Free – With a switch of a button you can talk hands-free without the need to hold the phone to your ear.

Simultaneous Connection– Bluetooth technology can accommodate multiple devices so that a person can be directly connected to their computer or cell or MP3 or DVD depending on which device they wish to hear.

Wireless – Bluetooth eliminates the need for wires and lines of other connectivity devices and has applications for people with unilateral hearing loss who wear BiCROS hearing aids.

What is an Open Fit Hearing Aid?

“Open-fit” or “over-the-ear” (OTE) hearing aids are small behind-the-ear type devices. There are two different types of open ear mini-BTEs: those with the speaker (receiver) in the ear and those with the receiver in the aid.

How Does an Open Fit Hearing Aid Work?

Sound travels from the instrument through a small tube or wire to a tiny dome or speaker in the ear canal. Since the ear canal is not completely sealed by the tiny dome sound can enter the ear canal naturally while still amplifying only the sounds you have difficulty hearing. 

Who Can Benefit From An Open Fit Hearing Aid?

When initially introduced, the open ear fitting was primarily successful for individuals with mild high-frequency hearing loss due to feedback (whistle) issues. However, improvements in digital feedback suppression technology, now afford individuals with mild to severe hearing loss the opportunity to benefit from open ear hearing aids. 

Advantages of Open Fit Hearing Aids

• Is less visible than a traditional BTE hearing aid
• Doesn’t “plug” the ear canal
• Eliminates the sensation of the wearer’s voice sounding like they are speaking into a barrel.
• Eliminates feedback when using telephones.

Contact our office today.  We can assess your hearing and determine if you are a candidate for an open fit hearing aid.

If you are able to benefit from this technology, we will guide you when selecting the appropriate open fit hearing aid to meet your communication and listening needs.

There are three basic styles of hearing aids. The styles differ by size, their placement on or inside the ear, and the degree to which they amplify sound.

Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids consist of a hard plastic case worn behind the ear and connected to
a plastic earmold that fits inside the outer ear. The electronic parts are held in the case behind the ear. Sound travels from the hearing aid through the earmold and into the ear. BTE aids are used by people of all ages for mild to profound hearing loss.

A new kind of BTE aid is an open-fit hearing aid. Small, open-fit aids fit behind the ear completely, with only a narrow tube inserted into the ear canal, enabling the canal to remain open. For this reason, open-fit hearing aids may be a good choice for people who experience a buildup of earwax, since this type of
aid is less likely to be damaged by such substances. In addition, some people may prefer the open-fit hearing aid because their perception of their voice does not sound “plugged up.”

In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids fit completely inside the outer ear and are used for mild to severe hearing loss. The case holding the electronic components is made of hard plastic. Some ITE aids may have certain added features installed, such as

a telecoil. A telecoil is a small magnetic coil that allows users to receive sound through the circuitry of the hearing aid, rather than through its microphone. This makes it easier to hear conversations over the telephone. A telecoil also helps people hear in public facilities that have installed special sound systems, called induction loop systems. Induction loop systems

can be found in many churches, schools, airports, and auditoriums. ITE aids usually are not worn by young children because the casings need to be replaced often as the ear grows.

Canal aids fit into the ear canal and are available in two styles. The in-the-canal (ITC) hearing aid is made to fit the size and shape of a person’s ear canal. A completely-in­ canal (CIC) hearing aid is nearly hidden in the ear canal. Both types are used for mild to moderately severe hearing loss.

Because they are small, canal aids may be difficult for a person to adjust and remove. In addition, canal aids have less space available for batteries and additional devices, such as a telecoil. They usually are not recommended for young children or for people with severe to profound hearing loss because their reduced size limits their power and volume.