Now that we've determined your level of hearing loss, we need to choose the right hearing aid for you. There are hundreds of hearing aids to choose from today. However, there are only a handful of devices that are the most suitable for your unique hearing loss and needs.
In order to find the hearing aid you will be most satisfied with, East Coast Hearing begins with an assessment of your needs, followed by a complete hearing evaluation. This discussion helps to gather other important details necessary in guiding patients through the hearing aid selection process.
Hearing Aid Performance
At East Coast Hearing we focus on three performance levels defined as Good, Better, and Best. As the hearing aid performance level improves, there are three primary benefits to the patient:
- improved sound quality,
- improved background noise reduction, and
- improved overall patient satisfaction.
Together, the patient with the guidance of the audiologist, helps to determine the most appropriate hearing aid performance level.
The Different Styles of Hearing Aids
Did you know there are 5 main styles of hearing aids? There are pros and cons to each style. It is critical that the style satisfies the hearing loss requirements (e.g. it is powerful enough), is acceptable from a cosmetic perspective, is manageable in terms of dexterity, has the necessary features, and has reasonable battery life. The knowledge and experience of the audiologists is critical in helping guide you towards the most suitable hearing aid style.
Receiver in the canal (RIC)
This is the most commonly used hearing aid style today because it is discrete, comfortable, and can be adapted to fit mild ranging to severe hearing losses. Most of the electronics are housed in a very small non-custom unit that fits over the ear. A very thin wire extends from this unit down to a tiny speaker that sits inside the ear canal. Various non-custom and custom tips are available to surround the speaker and ensure comfort, retention, and appropriate sound delivery. Some of these products are rechargeable.
Completely in the canal (CIC)
This custom-built aid is the smallest and most discrete style of hearing aid. It is completely contained inside the ear canal. The CIC is best suited to mild and moderate hearing losses and does require good dexterity for insertion, removal and changing batteries.
In the canal (ITC)
This custom-built hearing aid fits mostly into the ear canal. A relatively small portion of hearing aid does show in the outer ear. It is suitable for mild ranging to severe hearing losses.
In the ear (ITE)
This custom-built hearing aid fits mostly within the outer portion of the ear. For many patients it is the easiest to insert, remove and adjust especially when dexterity is an issue. It is suitable for mild ranging to severe losses.
Behind the ear (BTE)
This is the most powerful and durable style of hearing aid. The electronics are housed in the non-custom portion that sits over the ear. A connecting tubing and custom earmold help hold it in place and direct the sound into the ear canal. It can be used with all degrees of hearing loss, however, it is most frequently used with severe and profound hearing losses. Some of these products are rechargeable.
East Coast Hearing's Trusted Hearing Aid Brands?
East Coast Hearing is locally owned and truly independent. When you choose East Coast Hearing, you can trust that we will provide you with the best service and choose the top hearing aids for you. Here are the top 3 hearing aid companies that we trust and depend on for most of our patients' hearing health.
There are definite differences between all these brands in terms of sound processing and quality, physical design, controls, and features such as wireless connections with other devices including phones and TV.
The benefit of working with East Coast Hearing is the access to so many brands without being committed to one over the other. This means you, the patient, are more likely to get the most suitable hearing aid and the best possible outcome and satisfaction for your needs and lifestyle.