Hearing Aids

Treating your hearing loss is the first step toward a healthier, happier life.

Wearing a hearing aid can enrich your life and reopen many doors that may have closed for you over the years. Other benefits of treating your hearing loss with hearing aids include:

  • Hearing your grandchild's first words
  • Hearing nature again
  • Feeling safer in cities
  • Attending dinners in noisy environments
  • Enjoying parties and understanding conversation
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Technology

Hearing aid technology has come a long way in a short time. Today's hearing aids are smaller yet more powerful than ever before. Hearing aid manufacturers provide an almost dizzying array of models and features.

Hearing Aid Brands

The best hearing aid devices are from the brands that deliver the functionality you need, in an easy to wear and affordable solution. The answer to this question is as individual as your hearing needs.

There are five major hearing aid manufacturers in the world. Starkey, Sonova (makes Lyric, Phonak and Unitron hearing aids), Resound (makes Beltone), WS audiology (makes Widex and Signia hearing aids), William-Demant (makes Oticon, Sonic, and Philips hearing aids).

Your audiologist will help you select the right one, but keep in mind that your success with the hearing aid is in large part how it is programmed for you by your audiologist.

Starkey Hearing Aids
Phonak Hearing Aids
Oticon Hearing Aids
Unitron Hearing Aids
Resound Hearing Aids
Widex Hearing Aids
Signia Hearing Aids

Hearing Aid Styles

The best hearing aids are highly individualized. No two people hear the same, and no two people have the exact requirements for hearing aids. There are in-the-ear styles as well as behind-the-ear styles. When selecting a style of hearing aid, the following should be considered:

  • The type/degree of the hearing loss
  • Power requirements
  • Manual dexterity and visual abilities
  • Budget
  • Cosmetics and aesthetics
  • Anatomical and medical considerations
  • Lifestyle requirements

A wide range of hearing aid devices and features are available in each hearing aid style. Hearing aids' cost generally depends on the technology and the number of features the instrument has and not necessarily on the style selected.  On the following page, we list the most common styles available.

Invisible In Canal (IIC) and Completely In Canal (CIC)

The smallest custom styles, IIC and CIC instruments sit invisibly and entirely in the ear canal. These devices are specifically designed for mild-to-moderate hearing loss.

In The Canal (ITC) and Full shell (FS)

ITC and FS instruments sit in the outer ear bowl, making them comfortable and easy to use. Because they're slightly larger than CIC models, they have longer battery life. They can host additional features such as directional microphones for better understanding in noisy environments, and controls such as volume controls. They are widely recommended for mild-to-severe hearing loss.

Receiver In-Ear (RIC)

RIC models are mini BTEs that have the instrument's speaker incorporated in the ear tip instead of in the main body of the device. RIC instruments fit mild-to-severe hearing losses.

Behind-the-ear (BTE)

BTEs with earmolds fit mild through severe hearing losses. Their longer shape follows the contour behind the outer ear and can house many features, including a program button and volume control. The earmold color and style, as well as the wearer's hairstyle, determine exactly how they'll look on each person.

Long term wear invisible (Lyric)

Lyric hearing aids are a unique product that is invisible, worn 24/7 for months at a time, and can be worn while exercising, sleeping, showering, and talking on the phone. They fit mild to moderate hearing loss. There are no batteries to replace, and the purchase is by subscription only.
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