When people have hearing problems, one of the first things they consider is the possibility that they need a hearing aid. Hearing aids are the most recommended treatment for hearing loss, as they have improved and evolved into very intuitive devices. Today’s hearing instruments are true marvels of technology. There are many choices in hearing aids and many have advanced capabilities such as rechargeability, bluetooth connectivity, machine learning capabilities and more.
Hearing aids are available in many different sizes and styles thanks to advancements in digital technology and miniaturization of the internal components. Many of today’s hearing aids are considered sleek, compact, and innovative – offering solutions to a wide range of hearing aid wearers.
At Kalady Audiology, we offer many styles of hearing aids and accessories, providing patients with the most comfortable wearing style and hearing aid experience possible. Below is a list of the most popular hearing aid wearing styles:
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Although RIC hearing aids do not fit within the ear canal, they are still a very discreet option. With these hearing aids, the receiver sits in the wearer’s ear canal and thin electronic wires lead to an apparatus that sits behind the ear. The portion that sits outside of the ear is typically hidden behind the user’s auricle (or outer ear cartilage) – and is therefore typically unseen.
RIC hearing aids also come in various skin tones or hair shades for those who wish to be discreet, or fun bright colors for those who want to stand out. These hearing aids are suitable for those with mild to moderate hearing loss.
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BTE hearing aids are similar to RIC models in that they are worn behind the ear where the technology is housed. Thin plastic tubing runs from the outer portion to an earbud or earmold that is fit into your ear canal. These hearing aids are powerful, and are suitable for those with even the most severe hearing loss.
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Although all modern hearing aids are small and discreet, IIC hearing aids are by far the least detectable. These hearing aids are custom made to fit your ear’s anatomy and fit further into the ear canal than other hearing aid style – thus causing them to become completely invisible. These hearing aids are suitable for those with mild to moderate hearing loss.
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Completely-In-Canal hearing aids are similar to IIC in that they are custom made and fit inside your ear canal. Only a very small “tip” of the hearing aid or a small clear plastic “handle” will show with CIC hearing aids. Most people who choose CIC hearing aids report that people typically do not know they are wearing hearing aids. CIC hearing aids are also most suitable for those with mild to moderate hearing loss.
ITC hearing aids fit into the ear canal and are custom fit to the wearer. These hearing aids do not fit completely into the ear canal, instead a portion of the hearing aid will be visible in the outer ear. These hearing aids are still quite discreet and typically come in a variety of skin tones for maximum discreetness. These hearing aids are slightly larger and are suitable for those with mild to mildly severe hearing loss.
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Custom In-The-Ear hearing aids fit within your outer ear and appear a bit larger than ITC hearing aids. They are easy to adjust for those who prefer to make adjustments on their actual hearing devices rather than a controller or app. These hearing aids also typically come in a wide range of skin tones and are suitable for those with mild to severe hearing loss.
As an independently owned and operated audiology practice, we fit patients with hearing aids from all of the leading hearing aid manufacturers. This ensures we can find the best hearing aid model for each and every patient. Dr. Kalady will take into consideration your unique lifestyle, communication needs and budget when recommending a device. Learn more about some of the top hearing aid brands below.
Signia came into its own in recent years with the Primax, NX and Xperience listening platforms. Signia was the brand previously owned by Siemens Hearing Instruments and is currently part of WS Audiology (which also owns Widex).
Signia Xperience hearing aids are powered by YourSound technology, which combines superior sound processing with acoustic motion sensors. These next-generation hearing devices deliver enhanced sound localization, own voice detection and signal-to-noise ratio to help deliver natural soundscapes.
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Founded in 1904, Oticon is one of the oldest and most respected hearing aid manufacturers in the world. Operated out of Denmark, this company is most famous for their award-winning Opn hearing aids.
Their recent introduction of BrainHearing™ and OpenSound Navigator™ technologies have set the bar for what hearing aids can offer.
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Starkey is a leading hearing aid manufacturer based out of Minnesota. Starkey Laboratories is the only 100% American owned and operated hearing aid manufacturer. Starkey was the first company to introduce a truly Made-for-iPhone hearing aid, their Starkey Muse.
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Phonak is one of the top manufacturers in the world. With their Lyric hearing aids, Phonak is the first company to unveil truly 100% invisible hearing aids, that are intended to be work 24/7, for months at a time.
With a full range of hearing products and new rechargeable hearing aid technology, users can now enjoy superior hearing performance while freeing themselves from the hassles of disposable batteries.
Phonak offers custom-made titanium hearing aids equipped with Binaural VoiceStream™, Roger Wireless, and AutoSense OS technologies.
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ReSound is a leading hearing aid manufacturer that offering innovative hearing solutions. Resound was founded in 1943 and since then has been a force in the industry. This company focuses on creating technology to make their hearing aids smarter, and better able to adapt to their users.
Founded in 1964, Unitron is a Canadian hearing aid manufacturer owned by Sonova Group (one of the largest hearing aid producers). Unitron develops reliable hearing aids with innovative features. They are committed to outstanding product performance, design, and customer satisfaction. Their latest product, Unitron Discover, uses their new SoundCore technology that classifies sound more precisely than previous models.
Widex was founded in 1956 and is now one of the major leaders in hearing aid manufacturing. Widex recently released their revolutionary EVOKE, which learn from your behavior to consistently improve your listening experience.
Your hearing aids require care and maintenance. Regular use of the following items can help ensure that your hearing experiences are second to none. In addition to the cleaning accessories below, it's recommended to visit your audiologist regularly for professional cleaning of your hearing aids.
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While our focus is on finding solutions, we want you to enjoy the time we are spending together. We’re not all business, all the time. We want to make you feel as comfortable as possible and want to know more about you than just the numbers on your audiogram. If you feel you are having a problem, let us be part of the solution.
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