The style of hearing aid is probably the number one thing on your mind if you are reading this page. There are all kinds of shapes, sizes, and useful accessories that make up the universe of hearing aids. Your Consultation meeting with an audiologist is all about figuring out what is most important for you individually and what will get you hearing the best.
Some considerations:
- Hearing Loss Severity. Most modern digital hearing aids can handle most types of hearing loss. However certain hearing aid models and even certain physical fit styles are better at managing certain patterns of hearing loss.
- Visual Concerns. This is #1 in most patient’s mind at first visit. Rest assured though that even (appropriately sized) behind-the-ear fits are now very discrete. And of course the completely invisible deep in the canal hearing aids basically vanish when worn.
- Manual Dexterity. Many of our senior patients, and those with arthritis, have trouble managing small battery compartments, switches and buttons that many hearing aids have. Permanent batteries, remotes, and simpler button programming are all part of the consideration. Hearing should be as automatic as possible.
- Physical Ear Canal Issues. Some patients have very narrow ear canals, itchy ears, excessive ear wax, infection history, etc that makes certain styles better than others. Our physicians and audiologists work together to find a fit that is best and lowest-maintenance for you.
- Rechargeable Batteries. Many hearing aids now have induction charging stations that make battery changes a thing of the past.
- Connectivity. Hearing aids can now connect with Bluetooth to the television or smart phones. Many will let you stream music like headphones, and take calls like a regular phone earbud. iOS connection can even use Location Services to predict the best hearing aid settings based on location.
- Background Noise Suppression and Artificial Intelligence. Good background noise filtering is the Holy Grail of hearing aid tech. Artificial Intelligence and Learning circuitry is now used on the newest noise suppression models to help filter out “all the stuff you don’t want to hear.”
- Health Tracking (& Fall Safety). Late 2018 brings hearing aid models with accelerometers to measure steps and importantly monitor for a possible fall (used with phone connectivity a family member can be notified if a fall might have happened automatically).
- Colors! Hearing aids are available in a range of colors, both natural skin tone, as well as contrasting fashion-forward colors. The color of the hearing aid body is selected to match natural skin colors (from the lightest to the darkest tones), or can be ordered in bright contrasting colors to show off your tech!
New Styles and Models are available faster than we can keep this page updated. Our audiologists are constantly updating style and technology selections. If you have seen a particular style somewhere, rest assured it is available here.