Choosing which type of hearing instrument is best for you is a very individual thing, and requires specialist advice. Before choosing a style, seek advice from our Audiologists and consider these factors: Degree and frequencies of hearing loss Not all styles are appropriate for all hearing losses. Functionality If special features, such as directional microphones, are required, a smaller hearing aid may not be large enough to house this feature. Ear anatomy Some ear canals are very tiny, making it almost impossible to fit a CIC. Lifestyle needs If you enjoy being outdoors, you may require a different aid than someone who enjoys the symphony. Manual dexterity Automatic hearing instruments do not require any manual adjustments. ITC and CIC hearing instruments are easy to insert but require steady hands. Cosmetic preferences With the range of sizes, styles and colors available, it is simply a matter of choosing what you prefer. Cost Hearing aids are available in a wide range of prices, so there's something for every budget. Different types Hearing aids come in two basic classifications, those that sit on top of the ear and those that sit in the ear. New hybrid models have become quite popular. There are currently 6 distinct types of hearing aids, each with a wide range of brands, sizes, styles, performance levels and prices.
These instruments are extremely flexible for all types of hearing loss. The hearing device is housed within a curved shell that sits behind each ear and delivers sound through a clear tube. The clear tube fits into a mould that has been customized to comfortably fit inside the each ear. These aids are particularly well suited to severe and profound losses. 2. Open Ear Fittings (OEF)
An ultra thin sound tube connects the hearing aid amplifier to a tiny soft dome placed inside the ear canal which keeps the ear feeling ventilated and comfortable. The amplifier unit is available in a myriad of stylish shapes, many of which are very discreet and have a great choice of colours. 3. Canal Receiver technology (CRT)
Should it be required, the speaker can be easily removed and replaced with a more powerful one, thus providing maximum flexibility and extending the viable life of the aid. Both the OEF and CRT can be fitted to moderately severe losses by utilizing a miniature custom ear mould rather than a dome.
The hearing device is housed within a custom-made shell that fits in the concha bowl of each ear and delivers sound directly to the ear. These are very easy to operate even if the user has poor dexterity, and are regularly fitted to severe losses. 5. In-The-Canal (ITC)
6. Completely-In-Canal (CIC) These instruments are very popular with users seeking a cosmetically appealing
device, as they are virtually invisible on the outside. The hearing device is housed in a tiny shell that fits
comfortably
|
||||
| ©2008 - audioactive.com.au | ||||
1. Behind-The-Ear (BTE)
Dramatically different from previous designs, Open Ear Fittings set a new
standard for aesthetics. Designed for both looks and comfort, these devices integrate some of the most sophisticated sound
processing technology available today.
These aids fundamentally are the same as the Open Ear Fittings, with the one
major difference that the speaker has been removed from the casing and placed at the end of tube, with a wire running
through the centre of the tube. These aids are typically smaller, yet provide more clarity, as the sound is produced close
to the ear drum, rather than having to acoustically travel along the thin tube.
4. In-The-Ear (ITE)
These aids are similar to, but smaller and more discreet than the ITEs, and sit in the lower
part of ear, rather than filling the entire concha bowl. Automatic versions are particularly well suited to users with
dexterity problems as the aid is simple to insert and the user doesn’t have to fiddle with awkward controls.
and completely into each ear canal. The device is removed from the ear canal by
pulling a tiny cord. Due to these devices being so small, some physical features such as a manual volume control are not
available. Software advances however have made the need for some of these controls redundant as the more advanced models
are able to adjust automatically to environmental sound changes. Recent technological advances have also resulted in these
aids becoming much more powerful.