Styles of Hearing aids
There exist two broad style groupings, these being in-the-ear and behind-the-ear. Within each of these two style groupings exist others such as invisible hearing aids and ranges of options which your Audiologist can advise as to the most appropriate given your loss, personal preferences and for features to match your specific listening needs. In selecting a style of device it is important that you are comfortable with its cosmetics and functionality. The colour is usually chosen to match hair although there exist a range of funky colours should this be a personal preference.
Hearing devices are organised into families with varying performance levels and styles. Device families vary in the extent of features they have. Shown here is the Livio artificial intelligence hearing aid.
In-the-ear Devices
In-the-ear devices range from the invisible completely in the canal up to a full in-the-ear style. The latter is less cosmetically appealing but fulfills a useful purpose when higher power is required or if manipulation may be difficult with anything smaller.
At ACE Audiology, we are specialised in providing completely in the canal fittings that only you and your audiologist need know you are wearing them.
What are invisible hearing aids?
This is a sub category of in the ear hearing aids and have the most cosmetic appeal such as the Synergy Sound Lens IQ hearing aid. They are also know as IIC for invisible in the canal hearing aids. They usually run automatically, sensing the acoustic environment and making adjustments continuously to optimise your listening experience. Behind-the-ear Devices
What are Behind the Ear Hearing Aids?
Behind-the-ear devices are often “open fittings” which mean the ear canal is not occluded with a conventional ear mould so it may breathe naturally. The benefit is that your own voice will sound natural. This is particularly important if your hearing is better than 40dB in the bass tones. The behind-the-ear device can vary in size if high power is needed.
Receiver in the Ear (RITE) Technology
RITE technology places the speaker/receiver in the ear canal rather sound being conducted down a tube. As the receiver is close to the eardrum a smoother acoustic response can be obtained, less power is used and the devices are usually smaller. The receiver power can be exchanged for different power requirements making it adaptable to future changes in hearing levels.
Livio Hearing Aid – The Worlds First “Healthable” Hearing Aid
The Livio, manufactured by Starkey, is the world’s first “Healthable Hearing aid. It does so by having installed gyroscoped to track your movements and other sensors. Collectively they enable you to track your activity, such as steps taken, heart rate and it even comes up with a Brain Score. Not only does it connect to mobile phones seamlessly, it also contains a fall alert and translator!
Manufacturers
We work with the world’s leading hearing aid manufacturers, including Starkey Siemens, Widex, Phonak, GN ReSound, Oticon, Bernafon, Unitron and Sonic: