About Hearing Aids

Hearing aids serve different purposes and needs. The goal of most hearing aid fittings is to make more speech sounds available to the listener. However, simply making sounds louder does not accomplish the goal! In 2005, most hearing aids process sounds to present specific speech information (sounds) to the listener, while reducing unwanted noises and sounds. In fact, with some hearing aid technology, such as; T-coils, FM systems, Directional Mics and Noise Reduction circuits, sometimes people wearing hearing aids can actually perceive a better speech signal than people not wearing hearing aids!

In general, there are 4 basic styles of hearing aids… Behind the Ear (BTE), In the Ear (ITE), In the Canal (ITC), Completely in the Canal (CIC). There are variations on the four basic styles. Your hearing healthcare professional (audiologist or hearing instrument dispenser) will work with you to help you decide on the best style for you, based on your needs and desires.

DIGITAL technology is the most sophisticated hearing aid technology. Digital technology gives the audiologist maximum control over sound quality and sound processing characteristics. As of 2005, the OVERALL CUSTOMER SATISFACTION ratings of new hearing aids (which are essentially 90 percent digital) is 77 percent!

There is qualitative and quantitative evidence that digital instruments outperform analog hearing aids. Digitals are not perfect, but they are extremely good — However, not all digital hearing aids are the same! Within the "digital" world, there are better and lesser units…speak with your audiologist to be sure you’re getting the right one for you. I ALWAYS recommend digital hearing aids, unless there is a compelling reason to recommend a specific analog product.

Many people ask about pricing relating to digitals. It is important to know that thanks to the integration of digital products across hearing healthcare, better, faster, more reliable and less expensive digital hearing aids are the "norm."

Dr. Craig Reese