E-Hearing Aids

Investing in a hearing aid is a decision that should not be taken lightly. There are many factors that need to be considered before purchasing an item that will be an integral part of your life for years to come. You need to decide what matters most to youthe quality, the price, the versatility, the lifespan? Check out the list of key factors you should research before you decide on the right hearing aid for you.

1. Your lifestyle: to find the best hearing aid for YOU, you need to take the type of life you lead into account. If you’re constantly on the go, you need a hearing aid that can adapt to the most demanding lifestyles. On the go buyers should look for Automatic Adaptive Directional Microphones, Wind Noise Manager, Data-Logging and Data Learning, and Bluetooth Support. Some recommended models are Phonak Exelia Art, ReSound Dot 2-30, or Siemens Pure 701. If you lead a life of leisure, you probably want a hearing aid with noise reduction and directional microphones and automatic volume and listening programs. Recommended aids for you include Phonak Audeo SMART V, ReSound Dot 2-20, or Siemens Pure 501. If you feel you’re a mix between the two lifestyles, a value and function hearing aid such as the Phonak Audeo Smart III or ReSound Dot 2-10 may be right for you. (more…)

If you’re looking to purchase a new hearing aid or even your first one ever, know that there are a number of styles created to fit your needs. One of the more traditional styles is the behind-the-ear (BTE) device. This particular style is a bit more noticeable because it fits along the outside of the ear, but can still be easily concealed if discreetness is important to you. A major benefit of the BTE style is its flexibility. It is easy to adjust for just the right fit so you won’t be constantly readjusting for better comfort. BTE hearing aids vary in the placement of the receiver. Some have a receiver in the ear canal (RIC), while others have a receiver that sits in the outer part of the canal. BTE devices often provide more amplification because they have a larger amplifier and battery. (more…)

Hearing aid technology is constantly introducing new products making hearing loss easier to cope with: smaller devices, clearer sound, and now a device that will record data and adjust to meet your hearing preferences. Siemens introduced the Centra hearing aid a few years ago that uses advanced technology to provide you with the best and clearest sound on the market. Sound smoothing technology reduces non-essential noises such as pen tapping or clanging dishes in order to enhance conversational sounds. This device is also programmed to record the volume adjustments you make when exposed to certain sounds and learns to automatically adjust to your preferences in similar situations. The Centra utilizes e2e wireless technology so that both hearing aids are balanced and sounds appear more natural, allowing you to tell from what direction a sound is coming. Another common issue addressed by this product, is the undesirable affects created by wind. The eWindScreen feature recognizes the presence of wind and adjusts to reduce its effects. This product also uses water-resistant technology to protect it from such things as sweat and humidity. In addition to water-resistant technology, the battery charger is designed to remove moisture collected on the device during the day. This feature helps prolong the life of the hearing aid so you get your money’s worth. (more…)

Hearing loss is certainly not a desirable problem to have, but fortunately, with today’s technology it can be easily treated, because the consequences of not doing so can be great. Over 30 million Americans suffer from hearing loss. The extent and degree varies, but hearing impairment is the 3^rd leading chronic health condition in this country. When hearing loss occurs, the brain no longer receives the amount of audio information that it needs and this can result in a reduction in one’s ability to understand speech. This is a symptom of hearing loss known as auditory deprivation. The good news is this problem is easily remedied with the use of a hearing device. It is important to see your doctor and get fitted for a hearing aid as soon as you begin noticing hearing loss in order to prevent auditory deprivation. Studies have been conducted to show that people experiencing hearing loss and let it go untreated have a higher likelihood of suffering from depression and social isolation than those who wear a hearing device to help correct the problem. (more…)

At the turn of the 19^th century, someone with a hearing impairment had very few options of devices to remedy such a problem. Large bulky headsets were the only option on the market. Some of the more progressive companies attempted to disguise the device by putting flowers on the one’s worn by females or a black material for males to blend in with a man’s hair. In the late 1800s, the dentaphone was created that had to be placed in the mouth so that vibrations could pass through the user’s teeth through a wire. The 19^th century also included hearing aids in the form of a portable chair with trumpet-like devices attached to either side as well as a cane with one end that could be inserted into the ear for improved hearing. (more…)

In recent years, the increasing use of technological devices such as cell phones has posed quite a problem to wearers of hearing devices. Unlike regular telephones, cell phones are not required to be compatible with hearing aids. One of the many ways Bluetooth is now being used with hearing aids is through a device that eliminates interference from cell phone use. This device, called an Ear Level Instrument (ELI), created by Starkey Laboratories, can be paired with a Bluetooth phone. During a call, the ELI overrides the signal from the hearing device and acts as a wireless hearing aid for the duration of the call, at which point the signal from the device automatically is turned back on.Another hearing aid device putting to use the benefits of Bluetooth is Epoq, an Oticon product. Epoq uses binaural technology that allows the left and right hearing aids to communicate to ensure more natural sound is heard by the user. This wireless device also allows cell phone reception to be directly received into the hearing aid without the use of complicated wires. (more…)