Types of Hearing Aids
We believe that in order to get the best for your money, you need to be well informed about the different kinds of hearing aids available on the market. In this section we go over some of the hearing aid technologies available today so you can decide for yourself. We strongly encourage you to see a hearing healthcare specialist about your hearing loss.
There are basically three major types of hearing aids:
1. Conventional or Standard Hearing Aids
- These are the hearing aids with volume control which have been
around for many years. They are linear in compression and are
usually the least expensive of all (less than $1,000 a piece).
Conventional devices typically amplify both weak and strong speech sounds by the same amount, much like using a magnifying glass. When the volume is increased to make the very weak sounds audible, stronger sounds are over-amplified. Frequent volume adjustments are often useless in noisy situations. Words remain somewhat distorted and easily confused.
Because of their less-than-desirable qualities, many audiologists and hearing aid dispensers do not dispense conventional hearing aids; they tend to favor higher quality 100% digital hearing aids.
2. Analog Computerized Hearing Aids - These are digitally programmable hearing aids with an optional remote control. The remote control can store a total of four different user selectable prescriptions; two for each year. You can use the remote control to discreetly adjust the volume of either or both devices if necessary. A telecoil option is also available for improved usage with compatible telephones.
3. Fully Digital or 100% Digital Hearing Aids - Digital hearing aids use digital sound processing (DSP) technology. DSP converts sounds into numbers, eliminates background noises, then converts them back into sound again, making the end result clear and easy to understand. In a way digital hearing aids can be described as small microcomputers inside your ears! Features vary by brand and model:
Oticon's Epoq – For the first time ever – two hearing devices can communicate with each other in a way that supports the natural interaction between ears and the brain. It’s a revolution in hearing care and the difference it makes is astounding. More about Epoq
dot by GN Resound - dot by ReSound packs high performance technology into the smallest behind-the-ear hearing instrument available. People with mild to moderate hearing loss will experience better hearing even in the most difficult listening situations. More about dot
Naída by Phonak - Naída IX is the first absolutely fully-featured premium product in the high power segment, tuned to the needs of users with significant hearing loss. Audibility, performance, ease-of-hearing, durability and design are some of the highlights for this product. More about Naída
