Enhance Your Hearing with Advanced Solutions
Your journey to improved hearing begins with Dr. Don Lerner, expert otolaryngologist, and Dr. Dominique Botta, board-certified audiologist. Seek professional guidance if you experience:
- Difficulty hearing on the telephone.
- Challenges following conversations in busy environments.
- Complaints about the television being too loud.
- Straining to hear conversations or speaking loudly.
Explore the transformative impact of our advanced hearing aid devices, including digital aids, designed to capture even the softest sounds. Your well-being is our priority. We welcome Visa & MasterCard.
What are Hearing Aids?
Hearing aids are small wearable electronic devices designed to improve hearing. They are generally used by people suffering from various hearing impairments but can also be used to hear better in a noisy environment.
How do Hearing Aids Work?
A small microphone present in the device captures the sound which is converted to electrical signals. The signals are then amplified by an embedded processor. These amplified signals are then converted back to sound and transmitted through an earpiece at the required volume level calculated by the device processor based on your hearing disorder.
Types of Hearing Aids
Hearing aids vary based on price, size, type, and other special features. Designers are constantly working on creating smaller and less noticeable hearing aids, which are very popular. Common hearing aid styles currently available include:
Completely-in-the-Canal (CIC) Hearing Aid
The completely-in-the-canal hearing aid fits inside your ear canal and improves mild-to-moderate hearing loss in adults. Characteristics of this hearing aid are:
- Smallest and least visible type
- Less likely to pick up wind noise
- Tiny batteries which drain out fast and are difficult to handle
- Usually does not include any special features such a volume control
- Susceptible to earwax clogging the speaker
In-the-Canal (ITC) Hearing Aid
This is a custom-designed model that fits partially in the ear canal and is used to improve mild to moderate hearing loss in adults.
An in-the-canal hearing aid:
- Is less visible in the ear when compared to larger styles
- Includes special features which the completely-in-the-canal hearing aids lack, however, these features may be limited given the small device size
- Is susceptible to earwax clogging the speaker
In-the-Ear (ITE) Hearing Aid
An in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aid is custom made in two styles — one that fills most of your outer ear (full shell) and one that fills only the lower part (half shell) and is helpful for people with mild to severe hearing loss. These may also contain two microphones for improved hearing.
An in-the-ear hearing aid:
- Includes features which the smaller style hearing aids lack, like a volume control
- Is easier to handle
- Has a larger battery with longer life and several rechargeable battery options
- Is susceptible to clogging of the speaker with earwax
- May pick up more wind noise than smaller devices
- Is more visible than smaller devices
Behind-the-Ear (BTE) Hearing Aid
A behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid rests behind the ear, hooking over your ear. An earpiece called the earmold is attached to the device using a tube. This can be used for a wide range of hearing disorders and age groups.
A behind-the-ear hearing aid:
- Is the largest type of hearing aid traditionally available, although there are some newer mini designs that are streamlined and barely visible
- Has a directional microphone for improved hearing
- Is capable of more amplification than other styles
- May pick up more wind noise than do other styles
- Is available with a rechargeable battery
Receiver-in-Canal (RIC) or Receiver-in-the-Ear (RITE) Hearing Aid
The receiver-in-canal (RIC) and receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) devices are quite similar to the behind-the-ear design with the only difference being the use of a wire to connect the earpiece to the device placed behind the ear.
A receiver-in-canal hearing aid:
- Usually has a less visible behind-the-ear portion
- Has manual control options
- Has directional microphones
- May have a rechargeable battery
- Is susceptible to clogging of the speaker with earwax
Open Fit Hearing Aid
This is a variation of the behind-the-ear design, with an open dome instead of an earpiece, allowing normal low-frequency sounds to enter the ear naturally while amplifying the high-frequency sounds. This is more appropriate for people with better low-frequency hearing and moderate frequency impairment.
An open-fit hearing aid:
- Is mostly visible
- Keeps your ear canal open by avoiding plugging your ear like other designs
- May be more difficult to insert into the ear due to the non-custom dome design
