Hearing Aids

Hearing Aid Styles

It can be a bewildering experience trying to familiarize yourself with all the different kinds of hearing aids out there. In order to help you decide what’s best for you, here are some of the most popular styles we offer, from largest to most discreet.

BEHIND-THE-EAR (BTE)

These devices go over the top of the ear and stay in a plastic case behind the ear, where most of the internal parts are located.
They are connected by a clear tube to a specially fitted earmold that fits into the ear channel. BTE gadgets are durable and simple to clean. They are made to fit individuals of any age, and are usually more powerful in terms of amplification than other styles. They are normally the biggest and least discreet of the hearing aids, which can be an issue for some. BTE listening devices are most appropriate for children.

RECEIVER-IN-CANAL (RIC)

With delicate and flexible earbuds and a comparatively small case size, RIC models are a popular option. It's an ideal first-time hearing aid for those with mild to moderate hearing loss. Quite discreet when worn, the RIC style has the receiver inside the ear canal with the rest of the device resting behind the ear. Users find the RIC to be very comfortable and easy to wear.

IN-THE-EAR (ITE)

In the ear (ITE) portable amplifiers fill the area outside the opening of your ear. The simple to operate controls are perfect for those with restricted manual dexterity. Unlike BTE or RIC listening devices, they can't be seen from behind but they are noticeable from the side. ITE listening devices are appropriate for most individuals with hearing loss. But their smaller size means they are a little trickier to handle than the larger devices featured in this list.

IN-THE-CANAL (ITC)

ITC hearing instruments are specially crafted to fit in the ear canal with a smaller segment of the listening device appearing in the external ear. With a tiny part that faces out into the external ear, they are discreet and almost invisible inside the ear. For mild to medium hearing loss.

COMPLETELY-IN-THE-CANAL (CIC)

CIC hearing instruments are specially crafted to fit totally in the ear canal. Just the tip of a little plastic "handle" appears outside the ear, which is used to remove and insert the device. Although these are among the most discreet devices, they are best suited for those with mild to moderate hearing loss only.

Invisible-in-the-Canal (IIC)

An enduringly popular style at our practice, invisible-in-the-canal (IIC) hearing aids are placed deep inside the ear canal and usually have a nylon string attached so that they can be easily removed. As they stay in more easily and are more discreet, they are a good choice for those who have a more active lifestyle and don’t want their hearing aids to be the focus of conversation. While they are popular among our customers, IICs are not be the best choice for those with more severe or profound hearing loss. Their small size means they have less power than the larger models we offer, but they remain an excellent choice for those with mild to moderate hearing loss.

LYRIC

Lyric is the first device which is 100% invisible, placed deep into the ear canal. As such it can only be fitted by a trained professional (such as ourselves!) and can be worn 24 hours a day. As it is an all-day, all-night hearing aid, you need not worry about taking it off or putting it on, or even changing the batteries.

Ask about our "FREE" 30-day trial of the Lyric.

Learn More About Lyric!

Rechargeable hearing aids

We also stock a variety of rechargeable portable hearing aids. These give you the opportunity to enjoy great sound without having to buy new batteries every time you run out of power. Using a Li-ion battery, charging is quick and easy leaving you to continue living your life to the full.

Li-ion is a new type of battery that uses lithium ions. With this technology you can reuse a battery essentially by recharging your devices with the provided charger. Before this technology people had to carry spare batteries with them wherever they went. Now we can use these devices for a full day on an overnight charge.

We have a wide assortment of rechargeable hearing aids accessible. Our audiologists can talk about with you the advantages of each device to suit your hearing profile and spending plan.

SERVICES INCLUDED WITH EVERY HEARING AID FROM US

Your hearing instruments use the highest level of technology, but they need regular maintenance and periodic adjustments to perform at their best. Once you have purchased a set of hearing aids from us, our ‘Complete Hearing Health Care’ program provides a complete range of services at no additional cost to you!

Services included in the cost of your hearing instruments are:

Quarterly cleanings and adjustments
Annual Comprehensive check up
Annual audiometric screenings
Two-year repair warranty
One-year loss & damage warranty
60-day trial period
Warranty renewals available
Batteries provided for the life of your hearing instruments

HEARING AID REPAIRS

With our fully-featured in-office repair lab we are able to fix many common hearing aid repairs right on the spot, including:

Replacing missing removal lines.
Adding build up material to loose earmolds or in-the-ear hearing aids.
Modifying earmolds or in-the-ear hearing aids if they are causing discomfort.
Vacuum and/or replace receiver (speaker) tubes to remove debris from the electronics.

In office repairs may prevent hearing aids from being sent out to be fixed which will save you both time and money.

TINNITUS

The persistent ringing or buzzing in your ears can add real disruption to your life. Tinnitus is usually caused by long exposure to loud noise, illnesses, medication, auditory diseases, or a host of other issues that affect the inner ear.

Through a combination of lifestyle changes and appropriate technology, we are confident that we will provide long-term relief from your tinnitus symptoms. The aim is to restore your hearing without the use of any devices.

VA SERVICES

Are you a U.S. veteran worried you may have hearing loss? You are in good company. Hearing loss is the most common service-related injury that disables veterans, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

We are proud to offer free or low-cost hearing healthcare to our veterans through VA benefits. Call us for further information on how we can help you.

CUSTOM HEARING PROTECTION

Store-bought earplugs are a great first step towards hearing loss prevention. But if you regularly need them for a specific purpose, it might be best to have specialised protection which is custom fit for your ear and optimised for your choice of activity.
We can provide custom-fit earplugs to suit a whole host of activities, including:

Live music.
Hunting and shooting.
Occupational protection for construction workers.
Swimmers.
Those who need earplugs to sleep better.

ASSISTIVE LISTENING DEVICES

Assistive listening devices, or ALDs, help people with hearing loss regain some of that sound back to their ears electronically. Most of the modern ALDs use the power of Bluetooth technology and work with your smartphones. ALDs improve the noise-to-speech ratio, making it easier to hear and understand normal speech. They are most useful public areas such as schools, conference rooms, and theatres.

There are several types of ALDs to choose from and one of our audiologists at Hearing Consultants can help you find the right one for your specific needs:

Personal amplifier
FM radio system
Infrared systems
Induction loop system
Bluetooth systems

Have questions or would you like to schedule an appointment?

Contact us today to set up an appointment with a hearing specialist to discuss your hearing health, hearing aids and the best way to treat your hearing loss.