Your brain cannot understand what it cannot hear.
We actually hear with our brain, not our ears. Our ears simply send sounds we hear to our brain which then categorizes those sounds into useful information. If you have been diagnosed with a hearing loss in your cochlea (the most common type), the only way to get speech sounds back to your brain is through hearing aids. It is a common perception that hearing aids alone restore your hearing. They do not. This is why they are called “aids”. Hearing aids are used effectively only in conjunction with a comprehensive communication plan. Experience and benefit from hearing aids is highly individualized, and can be affected by the following:
- Your commitment to your communication plan
- Your dedication to wearing your hearing aids all waking hours
- How much hearing you have left to work with
- How long your hearing loss went untreated before pursuing hearing aids
- How well you maintain your overall health
- You mental, social, and emotional commitment to treating your hearing loss
- How open you are with your most common communication partners about your hearing needs and how committed they are to help you hear your best.
Hearing Aid Selection
As a result of developments and innovations in digital technology, hearing aids may now be purchased in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and styles. Most of today’s hearing aids are designed to be sleek, compact, and jam-packed with power features, providing solutions to a wide variety of hearing problems. Each type of hearing aid comes with a plethora of functions and is equipped with a diverse selection of technologies.
Hearing aid prices are often determined by the type of technology and features that are included in the device, and not necessarily by the particular style that is chosen. The digital hearing aids available on the market today are often available in a variety of technology levels starting with basic, advanced, or premium levels. The higher the level, the more features are available. Hearing aid prices also often include fitting fees and service, as hearing aids are a care and maintenance game, meaning, professional care ensures successful ongoing wear and use.
The wearer of a basic digital hearing aid may be required to make certain manual changes in specific listening circumstances. These adjustments may include toggling a button to adjust the volume or change listening programs.
Hearing aids are getting more technologically advanced, and with that comes the availability of more and more sophisticated functions. The higher or more premium hearing aids are more sophisticated in that they have more channels and bands to allow for the audiologist to more precisely program them to your hearing loss. These kinds of hearing aids also typically have more noise-suppressive features.
Hearing aid styles
Hearing aids are generally classified into eight styles. The following factors need to be considered as you choose the ideal hearing aid for you:
- The level of your hearing loss
- Physical dexterity and visual ability
- Anatomical/medical factors
- Listening preferences based on your lifestyle
- Aesthetic
- Budget
Completely-in-the-Canal (CIC)
CIC hearing aids, which are among the smallest custom hearing aids, are designed to fit completely and deeply inside the ear canal. They are designed for those with mild to moderate hearing loss and offer a high level of visual appeal due to the fact that they are practically undetectable while worn.
In-the-Canal (ITC)
ITC hearing aids are worn in the lower part of the outer ear. They offer a longer battery life than CIC versions and can house extra capabilities such as directional microphones for improved understanding in noisy areas. ITC hearing aids can accommodate mild to moderate degrees of hearing loss.
Invisible-in-Canal (IIC)
The most discrete custom-made hearing aids, known as IIC models, can be worn discreetly in or beyond the second bend of the ear canal. Hearing aids in the IIC category are targeted specifically toward those with a mild-to-moderate degree of hearing loss.
In-the-Ear (ITE)
Hearing aids that are worn in the ear are often customized by using a mold or impression of the ear as a basis for the fit. They are offered in a variety of skin tones so that they can blend in flawlessly.
The full shell variants are designed to fit into the ear bowl in their entirety. Due to their size, they are able to accommodate a greater number of device controls and features, such as directional microphones. They utilize a larger battery size than the smaller kinds and can fit a larger receiver that has enough power for severe hearing impairments. Full-shell ITEs are recommended for mild-to-severe cases of hearing loss.
Behind-the-Ear (BTE)
Behind-the-Ear (BTE) devices can be worn behind or on top of the outer ear, and they have tubing or wiring that directs sounds down into the ear. An ear tip or earmold is connected to the BTE to ensure they are kept in place in the ear canal. BTEs come in a variety of sizes, each of which can handle a distinct set of features, controls, battery types, and power levels. Take note that larger hearing aids generally have more power than smaller ones.
BTE With Earmolds
BTEs that come with earmolds can accommodate hearing deficits ranging from mild to severe. Their more elongated form is designed to follow the shape behind the outer ear, giving it the capacity to accommodate a variety of features, such as a program button and a volume control.
Mini BTE With Slim Tube And Tip
Mini BTEs are able to quietly channel sound into the ear because they are designed with extremely thin tubing and circuitry. The tubing and wiring are connected to a soft tip that rests in the ear canal without obstructing the canal in any way. The result is an impression of natural openness, brought about by the fact that sound and airflow enter the ear naturally. Mini BTEs are known to have an open fitting design and recommended for mild to moderate levels of hearing loss.
Receiver-in-canal (RIC)
The RIC types of small BTEs are distinguished by the placement of the speaker, housed in the ear tip as opposed to being housed in the main body of the hearing device. Hearing deficits ranging from mild to severe are suitable candidates for RIC equipment. When worn on the ear, this form of hearing aid has an appearance that is comparable to that of the Mini BTE.
Hearing Aid Programming and Adjustments
Once you have chosen your hearing aid, we will adjust its settings so that they are optimal for your particular hearing loss and personal preferences. Oracle Hearing Center uses real-ear measurement to properly check the amplification levels offered by the hearing aid and guarantee that it matches your specific hearing requirements as accurately as possible.
Real ear measurements
The term “real ear measurement” refers to the process of determining the amount of sound pressure that exists in the ear canal of a patient when a hearing device is being worn. Real ear measurement is performed by inserting a probe tube into the ear canal along with the hearing aid. The purpose of real ear measurement is to determine how well a hearing aid performs throughout a broad spectrum of audible frequencies and pitch ranges.
Hearing Aid Repairs and Maintenance
Hearing aids are highly sophisticated pieces of technology that involve a great deal of complexity. They are susceptible to breaking down if sufficient maintenance and care are not provided for them.
If for some reason your hearing aid ceases functioning as it should or is broken, our office is equipped to handle a variety of repairs on-site, which means you won’t have to wait as long for service.
On-Site Repairs
Hearing aids are incredibly complex, advanced pieces of technology. If not taken care of properly, they can be prone to breaking down.
In the event your hearing aid stops working properly or becomes damaged, our office is capable of handling numerous repairs on-site, which means less waiting time for you!
Purchase Hearing Aids Elsewhere?
We’re happy to help. At Oracle Hearing Center, we know how important it is to stay active with friends, family, and coworkers. We can deep clean, repair, reprogram, and optimize your current devices from almost all manufacturers for a service fee.
While we handle the most common types of hearing aid repairs, extensively damaged devices may need to be sent out to their manufacturer for repair. We will track your hearing aid as it’s out for repair and schedule you to be re-fit as soon as possible.
Regular Cleaning Can Prevent Damage
Starting with the basics of cleaning a hearing aid, you will find the small things really do make a difference. Dirt and debris that builds up can damage the internal components of the technology, affecting the sound quality and rendering your hearing aids weak or dead until repairs are performed. This can lead you to believe that your hearing is getting worse when it is really your hearing aids operating less than full capacity. Earwax, debris, dust and many other things can influence the effectiveness of your hearing aids. Because we want to help keep your device in the best shape possible, we offer hearing aid cleanings whether you purchased your hearing aid from our office or elsewhere!
How Do I Get Moisture out of my Hearing Aids?
A question we get asked often is “Do hearing aids get wet?”
A better question is “How do hearing aids manage to stay dry?!”
Think about what we expect from an aid..
…function perfectly for ~40, 000 hours
…on a planet covered 71% by water
…while filled with air that can be 99% humid
…and surrounded by skin that regulates body temp with constant sweating
That’s why we offer the Redux professional drying system to remove all moisture in a matter of minutes. We can even show you exactly how much water the system removed.
Bring your hearing aids, hearables, or earbuds to get them “Reduxed”…you’ll be amazed when you hear the difference a totally dry device make.
We offer comprehensive cleaning, repairs, reprogramming, and optimization for a fee. Even though we are able to repair most hearing aids, severely damaged devices may need to be sent back to the manufacturer for servicing. We will keep track of your hearing aid while it is being repaired and will make arrangements for you to be re-fitted as soon as possible.
Oracle Hearing Center – Hearing Aid Services in Lawrenceville, NJ
Oracle Hearing Center offers excellent hearing aid services to ensure that your hearing aids are in the best functioning condition so you won’t have to miss out on important sounds and conversations. We’ll make sure your hearing aids are in mint condition at all times.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment!