Hearing Aids

We offer a wide range of hearing aid products. Contact us to schedule an appointment.

Traditional Behind-The-Ear (BTE)

This type of instrument consists of the device itself which sits behind the ear, a custom fit earmold which sits inside the ear, and a small clear flexible tube that connects the hearing aid to the earmold.

Advantages

  • This style can be fit to the widest range of hearing loss. It is appropriate for patients with only mild hearing loss all the way to severely-profound hearing loss.

  • It offers the largest number of features compared with other styles.

  • The traditional BTE uses larger batteries which last longer and don’t have to be changed as often (approximately 14 days.)
  • Controls on the hearing aid are larger on this style making it easier to use if the patient has vision or dexterity problems.
  • It has the lowest chance of causing acoustic feedback or “whistling.”
  • It has relatively low visibility, depending on the hairstyle worn.
  • It is larger and harder to misplace.
Disadvantages
  • Requires a little more maintenance than some other hearing aid styles because the tubing needs to be changed periodically.
  • Custom earmolds may need to be replaced as frequently as every 18 months.
  • May be more difficult to put on if manual dexterity is limited.
  • May be more visible if the ears are small or hair is very short.
  • Requires slightly different positioning of the telephone receiver.
Most Suitable For People Who:
  • Have severe-to-profound hearing loss or a steeply sloping audiometric hearing loss pattern.
  • Have fluctuating hearing abilities.
  • Need additional features like manual control, T-Coil, and FM compatibility.
  • Prefer this aid’s style/appearance to other styles.

Completely-In-The-Canal (CIC)

The CIC aid fits completely within the ear canal and is the least visible of all the in the ear hearing aid styles.

Advantages
  • It fits a wide range of hearing losses from mild to moderate.
  • It is virtually invisible and therefore the most cosmetically appealing instrument.
  • It is the best choice in hearing aids for telephone use because it has the least chance of feedback.
  • The microphone is located in a more natural sound-gathering position (at or slightly inside the ear canal opening) which allows the outer ear to provide more high-frequency emphasis and enhanced localization.
Disadvantages
  • It has a somewhat shorter battery life (5-7 days).
  • The smaller battery size may make battery changes difficult if manual dexterity is limited.
  • Ear wax within the hearing aid can frequently plug the receiver.
  • Patients may experience more occlusion (a sensation of “talking in a barrel” or hearing their own voice as unusually loud) as compared with other styles.
Most Suitable For People Who:
  • Have only mild or moderate hearing loss.
  • Desire a smaller and more discreet instrument that fits completely in the canal.
  • Use the telephone often and need amplification for telephone conversation.

In-The-Ear (ITE)

This type of hearing aid and those that follow are housed completely within the outer ear. There are no separate attachments or other parts behind the ear.

Advantages
  • No tubes or earmolds to replace.
  • Relatively long battery life.
  • Can be used with a wide range of hearing losses ranging from mild to severe.
  • Can offer more features than most smaller styles.
  • The telephone receiver can be held in the usual manner.
  • Easier to place in the ear and change the battery than other smaller styles. Especially for patients with dexterity issues.
Disadvantages

  • More visible than other ITE styles.

Most Suitable For People Who:
  • Have as much as a moderate to severe hearing loss .
  • Have dexterity issues.

In-The-Canal (ITC)

An ITC hearing aid is about one-half the size of an ITE hearing aid. It can be used for mild to moderate hearing losses.

Advantages
  • Less visible than the ITE hearing aid style.
  • Still able to get a number of features such as directional microphones.
Disadvantages
  • It has a slightly shorter battery life than the behind the ear hearing aid styles and in the ear styles (7-10 days.)
  • Cannot accommodate severe or profound hearing losses.
Most Suitable For People Who:
  • Desire a smaller and more discreet instrument than the ITE style.
  • Have a mild-to-moderate hearing loss.

Treatment Services

In addition, we offer a complete array of treatment services, including:

  • Hearing Aid Fitting (daily and extended wear instruments)

  • Vestibular therapy (canalith repositioning for BPPV)

  • Hearing Aid programming and adjustment

  • Hearing Aid repair of any make or model

  • Individualized and Group Aural Rehabilitation programs

  • Assistive listening devices

  • Custom Listening ear pieces for devices such as cells phones and iPods

  • Custom Swim Plugs guard the ear from water and/or bacteria

  • Custom Hearing Protection reduce dangerous noise levels and prevent noise induced hearing loss