Research has shown that hearing loss can affect school performance, emotional well being, relationships and even job productivity. There are an estimated 28 million children and adults in the United States who have diminished hearing. Selecting the proper, hearing aids can be the critical factor to enjoying life to its fullest.
Hearing aids are available in a wide variety of styles. Including In the Canal, Completely in the Canal (CIC), Receiver in the Canal, Full Shell, Half Shell, Open Ear (no earmold, only a thin tube and dome), Behind the Ear (BTE), and different colors.
A few hearing aid companies continue to make analog aids that only make sounds louder. Most hearing companies make digital hearing aids that convert sound into computer data. Hearing aids are also available that resist water and sweat.
Digital hearing aids
Digital hearing aids celebrate a new era in hearing technology. While there are so many advanced features to choose from, buying a digital hearing aid can be a little overwhelming.
Hearing Aid Brands
You will find a large variety of hearing aids brands to select from. The prices range from a few hundred dollars to many thousands of dollars.
Audibel makes a full line of digital hearing aids. Included as standard items are environmental adaptation, directional speech detection, automatic telephone detection, and feedback elimination.
Audina, offers a selection of hearing aids with features such as the ability to enhance speech and eliminate background noise, cancel feedback, and adjust to the environment. Also Audina is also one of the only major manufacturers still offering analog hearing aids. They even offer a hearing aid that can be adjusted with a screwdriver, so computers and software are not required.
Beltone – All of their hearing aids are digital. Products range from a CIC instrument where the only thing visible is the part used to put it in and take it out. Beltone also offers four levels of circuitry, from basic to premier. An in-the-canal type of hearing aid which is barely visible. Their in-the-ear style fills the concha, this is the visible part of the ear. When the open ear fitted style hearing aids are viewed from the side, the only visible part is the thin tube that goes over the ear.
Electone hearing aids. Electone makes Included features are feedback cancellation, and input/output compression. More advanced models incorporate directional signal processing and memories for many different situations.
Eurion is manufactured in Switzerland. They have e a line of watertight hearing aids that can stay underwater for as up to 10 minutes. In addition, the hearing aids can be subjected to extreme weather conditions without failure. Available in an assortment of bright colors. The hearing aids are designed for ease of use for people with less manual dexterity. They feature buttons for volume control and program selection. The aids also have direct connection of certain audio inputs such as television or an auditory trainer.
Hansaton hearing aids are made in Germany. Their digital hearing aids include a hearing aid with a rechargeable battery system. Their line includes in-the-ear hearing aids, and BTE. One unique feature is wireless synchronization when two hearing aids are in use (this lets the hearing aids to actually communicate with each other to provide a more natural hearing experience.
Insound Medical, Inc. is the manufacturer of an “invisible” in-the-canal hearing aid with a very soft exterior that can be kept in place for extended periods without having to remove it. take it out. It does not need to be taken out to shower (but must be taken out to swim) or for sleeping. The hearing aid can stay in use for as long as 120 days. Aspecial tool is used to take it out when needed. It needs to be replaced about six times every year.
