Hearing Aids
Hearing
Aids
A quarter of Americans 65-74 and half of Americans over 75 years of age have some level of hearing loss. Many of these individuals could benefit from hearing aids. Unfortunately, many people wait a significant period of time prior to getting the help they need to hear clearly again. The average person with hearing loss waits seven years before seeing a professional audiologist.
Don’t lose valuable time that you could spend communicating clearly with your friends and family. At Alltones Audiology, we understand that it can be difficult to take the steps needed to improve your hearing. You may feel embarrassed or overwhelmed about your hearing loss, but you are not alone. We are here to help you find the best treatments for your lifestyle and personal preferences. Our audiologists can suggest a wide range of styles, brands, and hearing aid models that will fit your needs.
Types of Hearing Aids
Hearing aids cannot restore normal hearing, but they can improve your quality of life by amplifying sounds. They all use the same basic parts to carry sounds from the environment into your ear and all varieties are powered by a hearing aid battery.
There are many different variations in price, size, the way the unit is placed in your ear, and other additional features.
Here are some common hearing aid styles:
Completely-in-the-Canal (CIC) or Mini-CIC
One of the biggest concerns people have is whether their hearing aid is visible to others. Custom molded to fit inside your ear canal, the complete-in-the-canal (CIC) device is the most discreet style of hearing aid. Only a small removal handle is visible from the outside, rendering it virtually undetectable. It is designed to improve mild to moderate hearing loss in adults. It is also less likely to pick up wind noise. Because of its smaller size, it is not likely to contain extra features such as volume control or a directional microphone. Another factor to consider is that the batteries often have a shorter life span and can be difficult for some people to handle.
In-the-Canal (ITC)
In-the-canal (ITC) hearing devices are custom molded to fit partially in the ear canal. They are less visible than larger styles and best suited to improve mild to moderate hearing loss. This type of device can include features that will not fit in CIC hearing aids. However, they may be more difficult to adjust than their larger counterparts. Like CIC devices, these are susceptible to earwax clogging the speaker.
In-the-Ear (ITE)
In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids are custom made for you in two different styles, the full shell and half shell. The full shell fills most of the bowl-shaped area of the outer ear and the half shell fills only the lower portion. Both of these are good for patients with mild to severe hearing loss.
With the larger size comes more features that are not available in smaller hearing aids. They are often easier to handle, have a larger battery, and longer battery life. However, ITE hearing aids are more visible than smaller devices and more likely to pick up wind noise.
Behind-the-Ear (BTE)
Appropriate for all ages and those with almost any type of hearing loss, behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids hook over the top of your ear and rest behind it. They connect to a mold that is placed mostly in the ear canal itself. The battery compartment, microphone, and controls are located behind the ear with a clear tube connecting them to the ear mold. This style is usually the largest type of hearing aid, but designs are becoming more streamlined and it is frequently the choice for children. This is because the earmold can be easily changed without having to purchase a new hearing aid. This allows for growth.
Receiver-in-Canal (RIC)
Receiver-in-canal (RIC) and receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) style hearing aids are very similar to the BTE style. The difference is that RIC devices have a nearly invisible tube connected to the receiver that sits inside the ear canal. This means the portion behind the ear is less visible than a traditional BTE hearing aid.
Hearing Aid Brands
We offer Hearing aids from the following brands:
Finding the Right Hearing Aid for You
Alltones Audiology listens to our patients. Our hearing care professionals strive to create a tailored experience that revolves around your lifestyle and aesthetic preferences. All of our appointments are done at your home, where you are most comfortable. We work with you to find the perfect hearing solution based on your actual living environment. We have options that are sure to meet your needs. This can include larger and easy-to-handle devices or those that are small, invisible or nearly-invisible, and concealed within the ear canal.
Not only can we meet your cosmetic goals, but you can also feel confident that we will have the latest hearing aid technology available. We have many choices including wireless connectivity, noise reduction, directional microphones, rechargeable batteries, remote controls, environmental noise control, automatic volume control, and much more.
Contact Us
Your Tucson Audiologists
If you need hearing-related health care in Tucson, AZ, call us today. We are committed to giving each patient an individualized and comfortable experience. Our convenient treatment is completed on your schedule and you don’t even need to leave your home.