Hearing Aids
Andhra Hearing Care is socially committed to eradicating deafness from the society. Our state-of-the-art Audiology Lab facilitates this mighty mission of diagnosing different types of deafness and helping the specially-abled population by fitting perfectly-tuned channel-free digital hearing aids (Swiss Engineering).
We offer/dispense fully-digital hearing aids for all age groups from 3 months and above.
Types Hearing Aid’s
In accordance with the general classification there are three kinds of hearing aids can be found, we at Andhra Hearing Care Hospitals will suggest Best Hearing Aid’s to our patients in Vijaywada.
- In The Ear (ITE) hearing aids
- Behind The Ear (BTE) hearing aids
- Receiver In the Canal (RIC) hearing aids
In The Ear (ITE) Hearing aids
ITE hearing aids can be worn inside the ear canal. They typically custom-fitted from an impression taken by an Audiologist during the course of the hearing aid trial and selection. They are usually available in various colors to be able to blend in with the external ear. Certain ITE hearing aids fit deep within the ear canal. others are closer to the outside of the of the ear.
Hearing aids that fall under this group include ITE (In the ear), ITC (In the canal), CIC (Completely in the canal) and IIC (Invisible in the canal) hearing aids.
Behind The Ear (BTE) hearing aids
BTE hearing aids can be placed behind or over the ear/pinna, with tubing that directs the sound downwards to the ear canal using an earmold that is custom-made or an ear tip that is universal and doesn't block the opening of the ear canal. BTE designs are available in a variety of colors to complement skin or hair color.
Receiver In the Canal (RIC) hearing aids
Receiver in the canal hearing aids is the modification of BTE hearing aids.In RIC hearing aids, the receiver portion of the hearing aid is placed out of the casing of the hearing aid. A thin tube connects the Hearing aid's enclosure to the hearing aid's receiver that is then placed inside an ear canal with a custom ear mold or a dome. By using a wax filter/guard, receiver is shielded from ear wax as well as other infections or other particles.
If you're using ITE or BTE hearing aids, majority of these hearing aids have batteries that are standard and need to be replaced every six to fifteen days dependent on the size of the battery as well as the how often the hearing aid is used in terms of hours per day.
Presently, several hearing aid manufacturers are providing BTE and RIC hearing aids with rechargeable batteries (lithium – ion).
The way to select the correct assistive hearing aid
It’s a very challenging task to choose the suitable hearing aid for an individual as there are several models available to match different type and degree hearing loss. It’s essential to think about different factors when selecting right style to match an individual’s requirements. The following elements can be considered in choosing an assistive hearing device. We as a Best Hearing Aid Treatment providers in Vijaywada, India will suggest right Hearing to the patients.
1. For the person who is already using a hearing aid :
If the person is satisfied about the type of hearing device what he/she is currently using, then they can try updating his / her HA towards the latest technologies preserving the style. In future if type and degree of hearing loss has changed, then it isso important to go for a new audiological test before updating hearing aids.
2. Who is already using a hearing aid :
When you have dexterity issues, compact devices like IIC, CIC and ITE are not recommended. BTE or RIC hearing aids are usually preferredas it is easy to handle when it comes to putting the hearing device, changing the battery in the hearing aid, daily cleaning of the hearing aid etc.
3. For a person with less social activities:
If a person is homebound, limited in day-to-day activities or even have cognitive impairments, BTE hearing aid along with earmolds are most suitable. Selecting softearmolds made of flexible substance can help them fit comfortably within the ear and it is easy and simple for a caretaker to aid. Other items to consider include assistive listening devices, such as amplified telephones, special smoke detectors, bed-shaker alarms, doorbells that flash a light or a device to amplify the television.
4. Type of hearing loss:
There are custom-madeHearing aids that can be completely fitted inside the ear canal but they aren't suitable for those with conductivehearing loss. Any type of hearing aid can be used for a person who suffers from mixed Hearing Loss or Sensori Neural hearing Loss.
5. Degree of hearing loss:
People with severe toprofoundhearing loss should always be advised to choose the BTE hearing aid. RIC hearing aid with an Ultra Power receiver can also be recommended for this degree of hearing loss. Moderately severe or severe hearing loss sufferers should opt to ITE, ITC and CIC hearing aids. People with mild to moderatehearing loss can choose the most compact type of hearing aid which is IIC hearing aid.
6. Configuration of hearing loss :
If someone has sloping hearing loss, in which the thresholds for lower frequencies are better compared to high frequency, then RIC hearing aid with an open domes will provide greater amplification. This type of design keeps the ear canal wide, allowing low frequency sound to be heard naturally, and high-frequency sound to be amplified with hearing aid.
7. Unilateral hearing loss:
People with moderate to profound hearing loss (Single sided deafness) only in one ear while the other ear is not affected then they can choose BiCROS, CROS or Bone-anchored hearing aids.
- Noise reduction.
- Directional microphones: They are aligned on the hearing aids to ensure better perception of sounds that are coming from frontand less for sounds coming from behind.
- Rechargeable batteries: (currently not available with Custom model hearing aids)
- Telecoils: Telecoils help hearing easier while talking through a telecoil compatible telephone. The telecoil reduces the sounds from the atmosphere and picks upfrom the hearing-aid-compatible telephone.
- Wireless connectivity: Hearing aids may easily link (wirelessly) to Bluetooth-compatible devices, including mobile phones, computers, music gamers, and TVs.
- Remote controls: Few hearing aids include remote control controls, meaning a person change the features of hearing aid without touching aid.
- Direct audio Input: It enables you to link sound output from the TV or personal computer sound with the help of cord.
- Variable programming: Some hearing aids can store several pre-programmed settings for various listening needs and environments.
- Synchronization: If you are a person with two hearing aids the aids are able to be programmed in a way that any adjustments made to a hearing aid for the one side (volume adjustment or changes to the program) can also be applied to the hearing aid in the opposite ear, which allows to control the hearing aids more easily.
8. Additional features:
These are additional features that are available to all kinds of hearing aids.