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| Understanding
Hearing Aids |
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There
are three types of Hearing Aids
that are available in a variety
of styles. These include conventional
analog, programmable analog, and
digital hearing aids: |
- Conventional
Analog:
- Most basic
type of hearing aid.
- Volume changed
manually.
- Screw-set
controls.
- Priced from
$500.
- Programmable
Analog:
- Improved
sound and technology.
- More flexible
than conventional / analog
hearing aid.
- Computer
used to program hearing aids.
- Some automatically
adjust volume.
- Priced from
$875.
- Digital:
- Digital hearing
aids are the most advanced
technology available.
- Contain digital
circuits precisely programmed
to more closely match hearing
loss.
- The response
can be more closely customized
to the specific hearing loss.
- Higher end
digital amplification can
be adapted to the sound environment.
- Priced from
$750.
Why
Choose Digital Hearing Aids?
Early analog
hearing aids made all sounds louder,
amplifying speech, music, and background
noises equally. The newer digital
technology reduces these undesirable
effects by sorting sounds into bands
or frequency ranges and amplifying
them differently. The end result
is greater precision in hearing
correction so that speech sounds
are enhanced while background noises
are reduced.
| Features |
Conventional |
Programmable |
Digital |
| Equipped
with microphone, amplifier and
receiver |
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| Automatic
volume adjustment |
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| Computer
used to program hearing aids |
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| Better
clarity and faster processing
of sound |
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| Less
distortion and less background
noise |
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All
of these hearing aid types are available
in the following styles. Selection
criteria may include age or the
type and/or degree of hearing loss: |
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CIC
(Completely-in-the-Canal) |
ITC
(In-the-Canal) |
ITE
(In-the-Ear) |
BTE
(Behind-the-Ear) |
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| Description
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Smallest
available. |
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Custom
designed to fit deep inside
the ear canal. |
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Nearly
invisible. |
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Slightly
larger than a CIC, but smaller
than an ITE.
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Fills
the outer ear and allows for
larger sound amplifiers and
more features. (i.e. directional
microphone). |
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Fits
comfortably behind-the-ear
and is attached to custom
earmold |
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Comes
in several colors for
hair and skin tone matching. |
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| Degree
of hearing loss |
Mild
to moderate |
Mild
to moderate |
Most |
All |
| Recommended
for children |
No |
Not
usually |
Rarely |
Yes |
| Volume
control |
Usually
none |
A
very small one, if any. |
Small |
Easier
to handle |
Feedback
(whistling or
squealing noise) |
Possible |
Possible |
Possible |
Less
likely |
| Connects
to external sound sources
such as telephone, TV, and radio
to improve hearing. |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
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| Hearing
Aid Brands available through KHC
include: Sonic Innovations,
GN ReSound, Phonak, Oticon, Rexton,
Starkey, Unitron and Siemens hearing
aids.
Hearing
aid repair services
are available through KHC
for most hearing aids. We offer
hearing aid repair for your hearing
aid regardless of where it was purchased.
Our
office is conveniently located in
Naples near Naples Community Hospital.
Call for more information.
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