Hearing Aids

Basic digital hearing aids generally require the wearer to make some manual adjustments in certain listening environments, such as turning a volume control up or down, or pushing a button to change listening programs. In contrast, a premium or more advanced hearing aid responds automatically to changes in the listener's environment, making changes based on the signals being detected by the hearing aid. The hearing aid wearer is not required to make any manual changes as the devices self adjust for comfort in all listening environments in real time. Most hearing aids also offer a wider frequency (pitch) spectrum in advanced to premium levels, which directly correlates to better access to high pitched speech sounds. As the level of the technology increases in hearing aids, so does the availability of other advanced features, many related to speech understanding in background noise. At Red Maple, you will work with your Audiologist to find the best technology level to meet your individual needs.

Hearing aids are available in many different sizes and styles thanks to advancements in digital technology and miniaturization of the internal components. Many of today's hearing aids are considered sleek, compact and innovative – offering solutions to a wide range of hearing aid wearers. Hearing aid styles use fairly self-explanatory terms, ranging in size from smallest to largest: Completely-in-the-Canal (iiC), In-The-Canal (ITC), In-The-Ear (ITE), Receiver-In-The-Canal or Receiver-In-The-Ear (RIC or RITE), and Behind-The-Ear (BTE).

• The degree of the hearing loss (power requirements)

• Manual dexterity and visual abilities

• Patient budget

• Cosmetics

• Skin sensitivities

• Anatomical/medical considerations

• Lifestyle and listening needs