If you have mild to moderate hearing loss, know that there are several hearing aids options Adelaide out there.
Behind-the-Ear (BTE)
BTE hearing aids are one of the most versatile types on the market, offering power and a broad range of features to suit all levels of hearing loss. They sit behind or on top of your outer ear, with tubing connecting to a custom-fit earmold that either fits inside your ear canal (called an open fitting) or a dome that doesn’t block the opening of the ear canal (called a receiver-in-the-ear).
The microphone in a BTE hearing aid picks up sound waves and converts them into electrical signals. These are then processed by the chip, which amplifies the sound to a higher volume. The sound then passes through the earpiece and into your ear. Modern BTEs are designed to be more comfortable and easy to handle. Their larger size makes them easier to hold and maneuver — for instance, they are often less prone to slipping off or becoming disconnected from the ear. BTE hearing aids are also a good option for people with dexterity issues or difficulty handling small objects.
One drawback of BTEs is that they are not as discreet as other options because they sit outside the ear. However, with modern BTE hearing aids available in a wide range of colours and designs, it’s possible to find a model that blends seamlessly into your appearance, whether you choose a colour that matches your skin or hair tone or something bolder for a pop of personality.
In-The-Ear (ITE)
ITE hearing aids options Adelaide are custom-fitted in hard plastic cases that sit in the outer ear. They are a good choice for patients with mild to moderate hearing loss who want a blend of functionality and discretion. They are less prone to moisture damage from the ear canal and can house advanced features, including noise reduction and directional microphones.
Among the most discreet ITE devices is the completely in-canal (CIC) hearing aid, which fits directly into your ear canal and is invisible to others. CICs are ideal for active lifestyles and can be used for mild to moderate degrees of hearing loss, but they may not offer as many advanced features as other ITE devices.
If you're considering in-the-ear ITE hearing aids, it's important to discuss your lifestyle and aesthetic concerns with an experienced audiologist. They will help you decide on a model and style that fits your needs, budget and preferences.
Whether you have private medical insurance, live in one of the five states that mandate hearing aid coverage or are seeking ways to pay for co-pays or deductibles, there are several payment options available. You can choose from cash, checks, credit cards or even tap into your flexible spending or health savings account.
Receiver-In-Canal (RIC)
The RIC style is one of our most popular hearing aid types. It is lightweight discreet, and offers options for most levels of hearing loss. Its open fit allows sound to pass through the ear canal naturally, eliminating wind noise and feedback.
Unlike BTE hearing aids, which have their microphone and receiver in the case, RIC styles place the speaker in the ear canal itself. The two parts are connected by a thin electrical wire, which is almost invisible when combined with a small, flexible ear dome or earmold worn in the ear. Keeping the speaker in the ear canal allows for RIC devices to be smaller and lighter than other hearing aids.
They may be more vulnerable to moisture and earwax than other hearing aids options Adelaide, which requires regular cleaning to prevent blockage and damage. They also may not provide enough amplification for individuals with severe hearing loss.
Directional Microphones
Directional microphones help people with hearing loss to understand speech in noisy environments better. They work by focusing on sounds that come from the front of the microphone while cancelling out noises from the sides or back of the microphone. Directional microphones are more effective than the traditional omnidirectional microphones used in most hearing aids.
The basic directional microphone is an electret microphone, which uses a polyester diaphragm held a few microns away from a metal backplate that holds an electrical charge to detect sound. Sound moves the diaphragm, which creates an electrical signal that is amplified and processed to form acoustic data. The most advanced directional microphones use multiple microphones to be hyper-selective about which sounds to cancel and concentrate on.
During normal face-to-face conversations, your brain and ears filter out the irrelevant background noise to allow you to focus on speech. This process is impaired in those with hearing loss and can make communication difficult. Directional microphones help to restore this functionality and allow you to reconnect with the people and places that matter most.
The microphone in a BTE hearing aid picks up sound waves and converts them into electrical signals. These are then processed by the chip, which amplifies the sound to a higher volume. The sound then passes through the earpiece and into your ear. Modern BTEs are designed to be more comfortable and easy to handle. Their larger size makes them easier to hold and maneuver — for instance, they are often less prone to slipping off or becoming disconnected from the ear. BTE hearing aids are also a good option for people with dexterity issues or difficulty handling small objects.
One drawback of BTEs is that they are not as discreet as other options because they sit outside the ear. However, with modern BTE hearing aids available in a wide range of colours and designs, it’s possible to find a model that blends seamlessly into your appearance, whether you choose a colour that matches your skin or hair tone or something bolder for a pop of personality.
In-The-Ear (ITE)
ITE hearing aids options Adelaide are custom-fitted in hard plastic cases that sit in the outer ear. They are a good choice for patients with mild to moderate hearing loss who want a blend of functionality and discretion. They are less prone to moisture damage from the ear canal and can house advanced features, including noise reduction and directional microphones.
Among the most discreet ITE devices is the completely in-canal (CIC) hearing aid, which fits directly into your ear canal and is invisible to others. CICs are ideal for active lifestyles and can be used for mild to moderate degrees of hearing loss, but they may not offer as many advanced features as other ITE devices.
If you're considering in-the-ear ITE hearing aids, it's important to discuss your lifestyle and aesthetic concerns with an experienced audiologist. They will help you decide on a model and style that fits your needs, budget and preferences.
Whether you have private medical insurance, live in one of the five states that mandate hearing aid coverage or are seeking ways to pay for co-pays or deductibles, there are several payment options available. You can choose from cash, checks, credit cards or even tap into your flexible spending or health savings account.
Receiver-In-Canal (RIC)
The RIC style is one of our most popular hearing aid types. It is lightweight discreet, and offers options for most levels of hearing loss. Its open fit allows sound to pass through the ear canal naturally, eliminating wind noise and feedback.
Unlike BTE hearing aids, which have their microphone and receiver in the case, RIC styles place the speaker in the ear canal itself. The two parts are connected by a thin electrical wire, which is almost invisible when combined with a small, flexible ear dome or earmold worn in the ear. Keeping the speaker in the ear canal allows for RIC devices to be smaller and lighter than other hearing aids.
They may be more vulnerable to moisture and earwax than other hearing aids options Adelaide, which requires regular cleaning to prevent blockage and damage. They also may not provide enough amplification for individuals with severe hearing loss.
Directional Microphones
Directional microphones help people with hearing loss to understand speech in noisy environments better. They work by focusing on sounds that come from the front of the microphone while cancelling out noises from the sides or back of the microphone. Directional microphones are more effective than the traditional omnidirectional microphones used in most hearing aids.
The basic directional microphone is an electret microphone, which uses a polyester diaphragm held a few microns away from a metal backplate that holds an electrical charge to detect sound. Sound moves the diaphragm, which creates an electrical signal that is amplified and processed to form acoustic data. The most advanced directional microphones use multiple microphones to be hyper-selective about which sounds to cancel and concentrate on.
During normal face-to-face conversations, your brain and ears filter out the irrelevant background noise to allow you to focus on speech. This process is impaired in those with hearing loss and can make communication difficult. Directional microphones help to restore this functionality and allow you to reconnect with the people and places that matter most.