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THE HIGHEST QUALITY DEVICES AND SERVICES AT A REASONABLE PRICE
Hearing aid technology has advanced dramatically in recent years. These advances have allowed patients to achieve greater communication in private, social and professional settings while enjoying a variety of hearing aid sizes and styles for optimum comfort and fit. Manufacturers have also realized that they must make devices affordable. In recent years they have made great advances in providing digital technology in a variety of price ranges.
TRADITIONAL OR LINEAR TECHNOLOGY
A low cost amplifier, requiring a volume control, which magnifies loud and soft sounds essentially the same way. This type of hearing aid can work well in limited environments or in cases of conductive (middle ear) hearing loss. However, it can cause difficulties in fluctuating environments due to its inability to change the response of the signal automatically. This creates tolerance problems for the patient.
ENTRY LEVEL DIGITAL HEARING AID
A small computer designed to fit your ear at a very affordable rate. The greatest advantage of digital technology is that it automatically adjusts to incoming sound. It adjusts so well you don't even need a volume control. The audiologist is able to customize the response of the hearing aid utilizing a computer. The comfort and sound quality is improved dramatically in a variety of environments. These hearing aids often have two programs available. This means that by pushing a button you can go into specialized programming for different environments.
MID-LEVEL DIGITAL HEARING AID
This has all the advantages of an entry level digital and much more at a moderate price. This device increases the speed of the speech processor allowing for greater sound quality. It also has much greater noise reduction capabilities and often uses directional microphone technology. Directional microphones allow the hearing aid to pick up speech from the front while reducing noise from behind. Some can even detect the location of speech and focus the microphones to that area. Multiple programs are also available in these models.
PREMIUM-LEVEL DIGITAL HEARING AID
The speech processor is at the fastest speed possible. This creates the best sound quality available in a variety of circumstances. The noise reduction capabilities are significantly enhanced through the use of noise reduction algorithms (computer programs) that allow the hearing aid to automatically adjust and enhance speech in any environment. Automatic directionality is available. This means that the hearing aid will automatically change the directionality of the microphones to enhance speech.
ANSWERS TO FAMILIAR QUESTIONS...
WHAT IS FEEDBACK?
Feedback is a sound coming from the hearing aid (usually a squeal) that shouldn't be there. Fortunately, current technology has allowed us to virtually eliminate this unwanted distortion. You can even use the telephone naturally.
DO I HAVE TO GET USED TO IT?
If your hearing care provider said you need to get used to it...get a second opinion.
If you are having significant difficulties with your hearing aid, it probably has not been fit and/or programmed properly. Give us a call. One of our audiologists will be happy to speak with you.
WILL MY EAR FEEL BLOCKED?
The answer is "no." Open fittings have revolutionized the hearing aid industry. You can expect comfortable fittings, great sound quality and no occlusion (blocked feeling) of the ear.
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