Choosing the Best Prescription
Hearing Aids for You
None of us grew up thinking of the day that we would get to pick out our new prescription hearing aids.
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“The doctors and staff are incredibly professional and wonderful down-to-earth people. My mother loves coming for her hearing aid checks and it’s honestly more like visiting friends than the sterile clinical feeling you get when going to the doctors. Highly recommend!”
You probably hoped it would never happen, because you look back on those bulky, ugly, unreliable hearing devices your parents or grandparents wore. Fortunately, modern prescription hearing aids are nothing like they were even a decade ago.
Micro-digital technology has had a significant impact on the size and performance of all of the electronics we use today. Hearing aids are no different. Hearing aid technology is advancing rapidly from year to year making them smaller, lighter, and more discrete, not to mention more powerful. Improved performance with greater clarity and the capacity to filter background noise as well as the ability to connect your hearing aids to your smartphone, television, computer, and other digital devices are among the many advantages of modern hearing aid technology.
Each of us has unique hearing needs, lifestyles, and personal preferences, so taking a “one size fits all” approach to hearing aids is never in your best interest. Using the information we gather from your hearing assessment, your audiologist will recommend the right hearing instruments and help you choose a style that is a good match to your unique set of circumstances, including your budget.
However, there is no “one size fits all” solution when it comes to hearing aids. Instead, we make a recommendation based on factors such as your lifestyle, level of hearing loss, unique circumstances, preferred style, and budget.
Allowing our patients the freedom of choice when selecting their hearing aids is a part of our roots. Our founder, Dr. Craig W. Johnson, was a member of the team of audiologists that fought to get a bill passed by Congress allowing you to retain this right.
What To Expect At A Hearing Aid Fitting
What Happens After You Get A Hearing Aid
Frequently Asked Questions about Custom
Hearing Protection
Q: How do prescription hearing aids differ from over-the-counter (OTC) options?
A. Prescription hearing aids are tailored to your unique hearing loss profile, offering a personalized solution that OTC options can’t match. Your hearing devicewill be programmed by audiologists to meet your specific hearing needs, ensuring optimal performance and comfort.
With advanced features like directional microphones, noise reduction, and connectivity options, prescription hearing aids provide a superior hearing experience.
Q: Can prescription hearing aids be adjusted over time?
A. Absolutely. One of the key benefits of choosing prescription hearing aids is the ability to have them professionally adjusted and fine-tuned as your hearing needs or preferences change.
This ensures that your hearing aids continue to provide the best possible support, maximizing your hearing experience throughout their lifespan.
Q: What should I consider when selecting prescription hearing aids?
A. When selecting prescription hearing aids, consider your lifestyle, the environments in which you frequently find yourself, and the specific challenges you face due to your hearing loss.
Additionally, think about features that are important to you, such as rechargeability, water resistance, and connectivity options. An in-depth discussion with your audiologist will help identify the best device to meet your individual needs and preferences.
Choose from Among the Various Styles of Prescription Hearing Aids
Invisible-In-Canal (IIC)
If you have mild to moderate hearing loss, then IIC Hearing Aids are custom-fitted and come in a choice of colors. IICs are unique as they’re inserted deep into the ear canal, so depending on your ear shape, they’re often invisible when worn. This is a huge advantage for the style-conscious wearer.
Completely-In-The-Canal (CIC)
Unlike the IICs, these aids are comfortably inserted and extracted from your ear, with the small “handle” peeping out the side. They are custom-made and mostly invisible, as well as coming in a range of colors to match the skin-tone of your inner ear. They’re the perfect choice if you have mild to moderate hearing loss.
In-The-Canal (ITC)
ITC hearing aids feature a custom-fit, skin-matching colors, and can be inserted and extracted with ease. Made to look as if they are a part of your natural ear, these aids are the perfect choice if your hearing is diminishing at a steady pace. Suitable for mild to mildly severe hearing losses.
In-The-Ear (ITE)
Mildly severe to severe hearing loss patients may find ITE hearing aids beneficial due to their sleek design that fits perfectly to the ear’s outer entrance. They are incredibly comfortable to wear and offer maximum hearing coverage. Available in a variety of colors, they’re custom made and can be matched to your skin tone.
Receiver-In-The-Canal (RITC)
Barely visible when worn, the RIC style is an instrument in which the receiver, or speaker, is inside the ear canal. Thin electrical wires are used instead of a plastic acoustical tube, reducing distortion. RIC hearing aids provide a comfortable, open fit and are perfect for mild to moderate hearing loss.
Behind-The-Ear (BTE)
When you think “hearing aid” – the chances are you’re thinking of the BTE design. Usually worn by moderate to severe hearing loss patients, the technology is housed in the casing of these hearing aids, ensuring they rest comfortably behind the ear while the clear plastic acoustical tube sends the amplified sounds into a customized earmold that’s fitted inside the canal. Available in many different colors, they come with easy to use buttons and are highly discreet.
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Schedule A Hearing Assessment
A comprehensive hearing assessment is your first step toward regaining the independent and rewarding lifestyle you are missing due to hearing loss.
An open and honest discussion about your hearing issues with a professional audiologist enhances the accuracy of the diagnosis and greater precision when it comes to treatment.
If you or a loved one is struggling with hearing, your best solution is to schedule a comprehensive hearing assessment to find out why.
Simply complete the form opposite and we will be in touch to arrange a mutually beneficial date and time.