What to Expect With Hearing Aids
There are three important rules to remember. First: the most important thing to remember is that “We hear with our brain, not with our ears”. Second: hearing aids will not restore normal hearing. Hearing aids help your damaged auditory system work as well as it can. Third: hearing aids are only half of the process towards better hearing. You will be learning to listen and process sound again. Everything will sound different. Voices will be louder and clearer. Your own voice may sound strange. There will be different sounds in your environment that were not there before. Expect a period of adjustment.
History of Hearing Aid Technology and Circuitry
1950 – Analog
1990 – Analog Programmable
1996 – Digital
2004 – Open Fit and Receiver-In-The-Canal
2007 – Wireless Bluetooth
What Hearing Aids are Best
There are several different hearing aid manufacturers on the market. The manufacturers that our office works with primarily are WIDEX, OTICON, and PHONAK. Hearing aids are manufactured with different sizes of shell styles and internal circuitry. Styles are either in-the-ear or behind-the-ear. Hearing aid internal circuitry ranges from entry level to advanced. All of the aids dispensed at our office have the most technologically advanced circuitry, ensuring the best sound quality available. The four factors to consider when choosing an aid are (1) type and degree of hearing loss (2) lifestyle and listening environments (3) dexterity and vision (4) budget. The most appropriate level of circuitry for each individual will depend on these four factors.
The Bottom Line
The cost for one hearing aid ranges from $800 to over $3000 depending on the style and type of circuit selected. In our office, the cost of a hearing aid is determined by the level of internal circuitry and not the shell style.
A complete hearing evaluation takes only minutes and you could be on the road to better hearing.
Our office also provides custom ear plugs for musicians and swimming as well as assistive listening devices & technology such as infrared loop systems for TV and radio, amplified phones, personal body-worn amplifiers, and FM systems.
A full list of our audiological services can be found here.
--Catie Chalmers, MS, CCC/A
Hear Better & Improve Your Quality of Life!
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