Hearing Aids

Choices In Selecting A Hearing Aid

 We handle a wide range of hearing aids from all major hearing aid manufacturers because not one brand can best fit all hearing losses.  We will help you select the most appropriate hearing aid based on your individual hearing loss, lifestyle, budget and specific needs.  We will verify your improved hearing and understandability in our sound treated booth and will be able to show you a comparison between your previous hearing ability and your improved hearing ability using the new hearing aid.

Hearing Aid Styles
		CIC – Completely In-the-Canal Hearing Aids are the smallest least visible custom made hearing instrument.  The CIC design offers better high frequency amplification and less chance of feedback or whistling while on the telephone.  This style needs less volume because the hearing aid is closer to the eardrum.  This design is cosmetically appealing.  CIC hearing aids come with conventional, programmable or digital circuitry.  The down side of this size hearing aid is that the batteries only last 4 to 7 days and not everyone can wear this style due to their hearing loss, ear canal shape, and their mandibular movement.
		ITC – In-the-Canal Hearing Aids are small and easy to operate.  This design fits down in the lower portion of the ear and is relatively unnoticeable and comfortable.  ITC hearing aids come with conventional, programmable, multimemories, or digital circuitry.  These aids are less powerful than the ITE hearing aids.  They come with an option of an adjustable volume control or a fully automatic version.  This aid can fit a variety of hearing losses.
		ITE – In-the-Ear Hearing Aids are very easy to operate especially for those with poor dexterity.  This aid can handle a greater hearing loss than the ITC models.  They are comfortable and fill the entire ear.  They also come with conventional, programmable, multimemories and digital circuitry.  This style is available with a telephone coil switch.  These aids come with an option of an adjustable volume control or fully automatic version.  This aid also fits a variety of hearing losses.
		BTE – Behind-the-Ear Hearing Aids fit comfortably behind the ear and are attached to an earmold to deliver the sound into the ear.  They are frequently used for more severe hearing losses or with draining ears needing ventilation.  Because the microphone is located further from the receiver there is less chance of feedback whistling than with the above smaller hearing aids.  These aids also come with conventional, programmable, multimemories, and digital circuitry.  This design is flexible for use with telephones and assistive listening devices.  A directional capability with this particular type of hearing aid is also useful in certain listening environments.
(not shown)	(not shown)	Body Hearing Aids have a cord connecting the hearing aid box to a receiver in the ear.  They are the most powerful and are used only with the most severe hearing losses.
Thanks to Starkey for the above photographs.

Hearing Aid Circuitry

Basic Conventional Hearing Aids have been around for years.  A computer can not adjust this hearing aid but we always order one or two parameters such as low or high cut potentiometer that can be adjusted by the audiologist in our office.  This peak clipping circuit is the least expensive.  If your hearing changes, this hearing aid must be sent back to the manufacturer for adjustments.

One step up from the basic conventional hearing aid is the basic conventional hearing aid with advanced compression.  The compression technology allows for some additional help in a background of noise over the conventional circuit alone.

Programmable Hearing Aids can be quickly and accurately programmed through our computer for your particular hearing loss, needs and preferences, right in our offices.  If your hearing changes (gets a little worse through the years) we can modify your hearing aid to match your current needs.  These circuits have become very popular.  The benefits of this technology includes:

• Improved speech audibility in quiet conditions.

• Ability to hear sounds at a greater distance.

• Less annoyance from unwanted environmental sounds like wind, traffic, door slamming, etc.

• Less likelihood of feedback (whistling).

• Greater ease in handling; many have no manual volume controls – most programmables adjust automatically.

• Higher overall preference due to audibility of softer sounds, sound quality, ease of use, audibility of environmental sounds, and comfortable listening range.

Some of the programmable hearing aids offer multiple memory programming enabling the user to switch to different settings for different listening situations.  We can program a setting for quiet environments, one for noisy situations such as restaurants or parties, and one for music or talking on the telephone.  All you need to do is select the program that matches your listening situation by pressing a button on your hearing aid.  This type of hearing aid is a stepping stone to true digital technology.

Digital Hearing Aids are the newest most advanced technology containing a computer chip inside the hearing aid that processes the sound.  Since they are capable of rapid sound processing, these aids are able to separate some unwanted noise from the desired speech information and eliminate much of the distortion commonly experienced with conventional analog hearing aids.  100 % digital technology allows the hearing aid to adapt to the changes in your listening environments automatically.  The digital sound is clearer and more natural sounding.  The digital hearing aid can be reprogrammed in our office to compensate for any changes in your hearing.  Most people with a hearing loss can expect the following benefits:

• The most improved speech audibility in quiet situations.

• The most improved speech intelligibility at a distance.

• The most improved natural sound quality.

• The most improved speech intelligibility in noise.

• The most improved speech clarity and comfort.

• The least annoyance from unwanted environmental sounds like wind, traffic, door slamming, etc.

• The least likelihood of feedback (whistling)

• The greatest ease in handling; no manual volume control – The hearing aid adjusts itself.

• The telephone switch can be programmed to provide additional gain, improved sound quality and reduced humming from electrical interference.

• The highest overall preference due to audibility of softer sounds, sound quality, ease of use, audibility of environmental sounds, and the most comfortable listening range.

Research

Research has shown that hearing aids improve your quality of life in the following ways:

• Hearing impairment is related to both impaired cognition and depression.

• Marked social, emotional and communication difficulties are caused by hearing loss even in cases of mild to moderate loss.  There is greater risk for depression and feeling of isolation and withdrawal from social interactions.

• A study of 1200 men found males who are borderline hypertensive are 32 % more likely and men with moderate hypertensive are 74 % more likely to have a hearing loss (J Amer Acad Audiology).

• A study at Northwestern University indicated that for many women a gradual decline of hearing begins in midlife and often goes undiagnosed and untreated.  Unidentified hearing loss has a significant effect on an individuals quality of life, including negative effects on communication, functional health status and family relationships.

• Hetu et al (1993) demonstrated that family members as well as the person with a hearing loss may experience stress, tension and irritation when hearing loss is not identified.

•  Hearing aids are very successful treatments for reversing the social, emotional, and communication dysfunction caused by hearing impairment (Annals Internal Medicine).

 “The ability to communicate – to share with others – enriches life.  Don’t let a hearing loss deprive you of this joy.” 
    -   Richard Thomas, National Chairman, Better Hearing Institute.

Approximately 10% of all hearing losses may be helped medically.  Thanks to today’s various technological advances, the remaining 90% may be helped with hearing aids.

Calling today and scheduling a hearing test 
is the first step to a life enriched with better hearing.

Better Technology, Better Service, Better Hearing!

Parr’s Pro Hearing Services 2211 Autumn Wood Drive Huntingdon, PA 16652 (814) 643-0319 (814) 641-HEAR (4327)

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