Hearing Aids
We offer hearing aids in a variety of styles to suit your needs.
Oticon
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Receiver in the Ear (RITE) - "Open fit" receiver in the ear offers the most natural sound. |
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Behind the Ear (BTE) - Hearing device rests over the ear and is attached to a custom ear mold. |
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In the Ear (ITE) - Fills the outer ear and is custom made to fit snugly in the ear. |
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In the Canal (ITC) - ITC offers discreet custom design that fits in the ear canal; slightly larger than a CIC. |
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Completely in the Canal (CIC) - Fits deep in the canal so they are least visible; smallest size available. |
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How can hearing aids help?
On the basis of the hearing test results, the Hearing Instrument Specialist or Audiologist can determine whether hearing aids will help. Hearing aids are particularly useful in improving the hearing and speech comprehension of people with sensorineural hearing loss. When choosing a hearing aid, the Hearing Instrument Specialist or Audiologist will consider your hearing ability, work and home activities, physical limitations, medical condition, and cosmetic preferences. For many people, cost is also an important factor. You and your Hearing Instrument Specialist or Audiologist must decide whether one or two hearing aids will be best for you. Wearing two hearing aids may help balance sounds, improve your understanding of words in noisy situations, and make it easier to locate the source of sounds.
What might I experience while adjusting to my hearing aids?
Initially it may feel odd that something is in your ears and you will hear things you may not have heard in years. Footsteps, clocks ticking, fan noises, computer key boards, turn signal indicator in cars will become audible but unknown initially. While wearing your hearing aids you wil find that adjusting to these sounds will become second nature through regular and continual useage.
Become familiar with your hearing aid. Your clinician will teach you to use and care for your hearing aids. Also, be sure to practice putting in and taking out the aids, cleaning, identifying right and left aids, and replacing the batteries with the clinician present.
The hearing aids should not be uncomfortable. Ask your clinician how long you should wear your hearing aids during the adjustment period. Also, ask how to test them in situations where you have problems hearing, and how to adjust the volume and/or program for sounds that are too loud or hollow.
Your own voice may sound too loud. This is called the occlusion effect and is very commmon for new hearing aid users. Your clinician may or may not minimize or correct this problem; however, most people get used to it over time. Try to remember you have a hearing loss, your not accustomed to your own voice.
Your hearing aid may "whistle." When this happens, you are experiencing feedback, which could be caused by poor fit, inserted incorrectly, excess wax or possible fluid. Consult your hearing centre for advice.
You may hear background noise. Background noise is apparent in every situation. Whether at a restaurant, theatre, playing cards or bingo, it is a byproduct of our lifestyle. Most newer advanced or premium hearing aids are able to deal with these signals while not compromising speech understanding. Keep in mind that a hearing aid does not completely separate the sounds you want to hear from the ones you do not want to hear. Discuss this with your clinician.
Tips for maintaining your new hearing aid
- Open the battery door each time you remove the hearing aid. This helps dry-out and prevent moisture build-up.
- Clean the hearing aid on a daily basis. Use the brush provided with the aid and a tissue. This will prevent wax from building up in the tube leading from the speaker to the outside of the hearing aid. Be careful not to push wax down the tubing.
- Always remove your hearing aid from your ear before retiring to bed.
- Have your ears cleared of wax on a regular basis.
- Use a dry-aid kit daily. These kits contain moisture absorbing silicone crystals. The battery must be removed from the hearing aid before placing in the kit. The silicone is recharged by placing in the oven when it turns pink.
- If possible, switch off your hearing aid before inserting in your ear (to avoid feedback)
- Insert/Remove hearing aid over a soft surface (carpet or sofa) to avoid extensive damage if dropped.
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