what’s best for you? · all protecting your ears from further damage from loud sounds. ... •...

2014 CONSUMER GUIDE TO

HEARING AIDSConsumer’s Choice:Why Choose Fit & Go Models

Hearing Aids orSurgery?

What’s best for you?

Connect Wirelessly

Hearing AidComparison ofHundreds of

Models

to your TV, phone, your music and more

New VirtuallyInvisible Models

Automatic Mic’sFit & Go Long Battery Life Open Fit Designs Programmable IIC’s Wirelessly Connect

Table of Contents

What to Expect From Your Hearing Aids...................................................................................................

FAQs About Hearing Aids...........................................................................................................................

Hearing Aid Shell Styles..............................................................................................................................

Fit & Go Models...........................................................................................................................................

Digital Hearing Aids.....................................................................................................................................

Entry Level Digital Hearing Aid Comparisons............................................................................................

How Custom Hearing Aids Are Made Today..............................................................................................

Basic Digital Hearing Aid Comparisons.....................................................................................................

Why Do You Have Better Hearing With Two Ears?....................................................................................

Advanced Digital Hearing Aid Comparisons..............................................................................................

Invisible Hearing Aid Comparisons.............................................................................................................

Hearing Aid Battery Basics.........................................................................................................................

Premium Digital Hearing Aid Comparisons................................................................................................

Hearing Aids or Surgery?............................................................................................................................

Types Of Hearing Problems........................................................................................................................

Definitions Of Hearing Aid Terms................................................................................................................

On The Cover

Audibel- Anthem XT Siemens- AquarisOticon-IntigaRexton- Cobalt Phonak- Solana Nano Interton- Cosmo

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Realistic expectations are the foundation for total satisfaction with your hearing aids. Hearing aids will not restore your damaged hearing to normal, but they will greatly assist you in your daily hear-ing and dramatically improve the quality of your life and relationships if you allow the advice of your Hearing Health Professionals to receive the full benefits.

After you read through this report, we will set an appointment for you to come to one of our affiliate HearToday Hearing Clinics. Our Hearing Profes-sionals will test your hearing with the latest, state of the art testing equipment. We will use this hear-ing test/ audiogram to counsel with you to deter-mine the best couse of action for you. All of this, of course, is with zero cost or obligation to you.

More severe loss or more active lifestyles require more sophisticated hearing technologies to keep up optimal hearing performance. Noisy environ-ments are the hardest environments to hear in, even for people with normal hearing. Hearing aids

will not be perfect in these environments, how-ever, the technology to reduce background noise and enhance speech amidst background noise is better than ever and does a great job for most hearing losses to assist people in theses difficult environments

Individuals with “normal hearing” have learned to pay close attention to the speaker and focus on speech reading clues. These learned skills are even more important for the hearing aid user when put in noisy or difficult listening situations.

Hearing aids can be very helpful and almost pro-vide normal hearing in quiet listening environ-ments. The more difficult a listening environment the wider the gap between normal hearing and a person with hearing loss. The gap widens further the more severe the hearing loss.

What to Expect from Your Hearing AidsSetting realistic expectations for lifestyle improvement

but they can still make a huge difference in your life.

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Expecting results that cannot be achieved will only lead to frustration and dissatisfaction.If you know what to expect, you’ll be free to enjoy the improvements that hearing aids can make in your life.

• Modern hearing technology allows hearing aids to prevent and compress loud sounds to more comfortable and safe levels.

• Proper rehabilitation is key to your total satis-faction with your new hearing aids. This period of time may take between 30-90 days usually. It is important that you continue working with your HearToday Hearing Professional to assist you in this rehabilitiation. There are a few simple steps we will address with you to guide you effectively through this process.

• With properly programmed hearing aids, you should be able to hear many normal sounds that you may not otherwise be able to hear clearly, such as the voice of your client or the words of a loved one. You may also begin to hear sounds you have forgotten were a part of your world, such as the hum of the motor on you refrigerator or the buzz of your fluorescent lights.

• Your ears are so sophisticated and one of the most advanced sound systems in the world. You

will be wise to do anything you can to continue to preserve, what hearing you still have. You can do this by maintaining good health, reducing stress in your life, taking vitamins or supplements for rebuilding nerves ie B Complex, etc. and most of all protecting your ears from further damage from loud sounds.

• Hearing aids should allow you to understand speech more clearly, with less effort, in most lis-tening situations.

• Hearing aids will keep most people from noticing your hearing loss.

• HearToday gives you the best promise and guar-antee in the industry. With every purchase, you have our 6 Month Sounds Good Guarantee. This means we will do whatever it takes to make sure you have the best hearing aids for you. We will exchange styles, types, brands, or technologies to make sure you are totally happy with your hearing aids.

Hearing Aids might not have super powers... but they can still make a huge difference in your life.

If you experience any of the following give us a call at HearToday.com and let’s get you in for a hearing test to get you the help you need.

• You have difficulty talking with family and friends.• Your spouse has difficulty speaking with you and has to repeat often.• You’re embarrassed by your lack of hearing ability.• You have difficulty hearing the television or radio at normal volume.• Hearing difficulties hinder your social life.• You attend group activities less often because of your hearing problem.• You can no longer hear whispers effectively.• You can no longer hear well.• You have constant or consistent intermittent ringing in your ears.

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about Hearing AidsF.A.Q.s

Q Why do some hearing aids look the same but cost so differently?

A The outer casing to the hearing aid does not deter-mine the cost but rather the hearing technology inside. The least expensive circuits are Entry Level Digital; the moderately priced hearing aids are Essential Digital; the most expensive circuits are Advanced Digital and Premium Digital. All levels can be programmed to your hearing loss, but the more advanced technologies al-low fine-tuning and advanced features for your best hearing clarity and hearing performance.

Q What causes hearing loss?

A Aging is the main cause for hearing loss. Other factors include heredity, loud noises, certain illnesses, and medications. Nerve deafness is the most common form of hearing loss which is when the cochlea’s (in-ner ear’s) auditory nerves do not properly transmit their signals to the brain.

Q Is amplifying sound to my ear safe for my ears?

A Yes. International standards maintain safe levels of amplification on all hearing aids. All major manufac-turers gladly abide by these standards.

Q How do hearing aids work?

A Hearing aids work by receiving and amplifying sound. Fundamental hearing aid technology begins with a microphone, which receives sound and translates it into electrical impulses. An amplifier then makes those electrical impulses stronger. The impulses go through a speaker which translates into louder sounds. This cir-cuit is powered by a tiny battery. There are many differ-ent technologies, styles and sizes that fit your need and comfort levels.

Q If I having a hearing loss what should I do?

A You must determine the type of hearing loss you have by seeing either a otolaryngologist, audiologist, or hearing aid dispenser. They will give you a hearing examination and offer you the proper treatment with either medical attention or a hearing aid recommen-dation.

Q What is the difference between hearing aids? circuits?

A Analog is very old fashioned technology. Most manufacturer’s today refuse to use it in their hearing aids. 100% Digital technology is the best technology available and used in all modern hearing aids. There are many types and levels of digital hearing technology with various features and benefits. We will discuss all these with you by phone with our local professional so you are comfortable with your final choice.

Q How common is hearing loss?

A 1 in 10 Americans suffer from hearing loss that could be significantly helped with hearing aids. If you are 60 of older it is estimated as high as 6 in 10.

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Q What sort of changes should I expect with my hearing aids?

A A hearing loss usually comes on quite gradually over many years. Due to this, you will need to relearn to hear various sounds again that you are not used to. Sometimes it can be like coming out of dark room into a bright light or like a little child who needs to allow the brain time to relearn these sounds. Be patient, this happens gradually and naturally as you wear your new hearing aids. Open fit technology has made this transition remarkably easy. Most people can get used to this type of hearing technolo-gy in minutes to days, not weeks or months like old tech-nology required.

Q What is the best brand of hearing aid?

A The best brand for hearing aids is dependent on your personal need, lifestyle, and audiogram. There are about 10 major hearing aid manufacturers worldwide that make high quality hearing aids. Our corporate and local Hearing Health Professionals will work together closely with you to determine the best hearing solutions for you and your needs.

Q How does hearing loss effect lifestyle and health?

A Each individual is unique and all hearing loss is differ-ent but there are some similarities that most people share in their hearing loss. Many individuals feel lonely, isolat-ed and distant from loved ones and their surroundings. They have trouble in new environments and meeting new people. Many express feelings of insecurity and incom-petence. And even recent studies haves show correlation between hearing loss and dementia.

Q What are some common complaints people share about hearing aids?

A Here are the most common complaints about hearing aids:

“I have a problem with whistling sounds or feedback.”

This problem is easily resolvable. There are a few common causes for this issue. One possibility is that your hearing aid is too loose in your ear which is causing amplified sound to be picked up by the microphone again creating feedback. Whistling is also caused by standing too close to any surface that reflects sound waves, like a wall. This also creates feedback. A third possible reason for feed-back is simply the hearing aids are turned up too high. All of these are easily resolved and your local Hearing Professional is a phone-call away for ad-ditional help.

“My voice sounds strange”Open ear technology cures this problem entirely. People feel very comfortable from day one and hearing their voice is simply like hearing your voice through a tape recorder for the first time. It only takes a few days to adjust to this. Closed ear tech-nology may take up to a month to fully adjust to your own voice.

“I feel pressure in my ear”This can be due to the fit needing adjustment or your hearing aid may need more venting. Your lo-cal HearToday Professional can easily solve either of these.

Q I don’t want my hearing aid to be too visible? Do I have options?

A You have many options that are totally invisi-ble or very inconspicuous. We have the advantage of micro miniature technology today to make your hearing aids very cosmetically appealling. Ask us today for more details.

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Hearing Aid Shell StylesBehind- The- Ear (BTE)

In behind-the-ear hearing aids, the receiver, microphone and ampli-fier are all store in the shell which is placed behind the ear. A cus-tom earmold is placed in the ear that connects to the shell by a clear plastic tube. Its size allows for larger circuitry and very durable.

Mini BTE

Mini BTE’s fit behind the ear like the traditional BTE, but the mini BTE’s shell is smaller as well as the piece that connects to a dome-shaped earmold. This piece is a transmission wire that is less no-ticeable compared to the plastic tube of the BTE.

In-The-Ear (ITE)

In-the-ear hearing aids are a custom mold that fits in the visible part of the ear. ITE’s have easy-to-use controls. ITE’s are best suited for individuals who have moderate hearing loss and limited dexterity.

In-The-Canal (ITC)

In-the-canal hearing aids are smaller that ITE’s and sit in the canal of the ear. This allows them to only be partially seen. ITE’s are best suited for mild to moderate hearing loss.

Completely- In-The-Canal (CIC)

Completely-in-the-canal hearing aids are rarely visible because they sit all the way in the ear canal. These are ideal for individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss.

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Consumers’ ChoiceFit & Go ModelsThe latest buzz in the hearing aid industry is the new Receiver-in-Ca-nal (RIC) hearing aids and Open Ear hearing aids. These models are virtually unnoticeable and focus on sound quality as well as cosmetic appeal. These little hearing aids use a tiny computer processor that hides behind the hairline connected by a hair-thin transmission wire to the receiver that is also hidden in the ear canal.

Instant Fit: Easy to select, fit and program with a hearing aid profes-sional. You’ll be in and out with im-proved hearing.

Comfort: RIC and Open Ear de-vices give you the feel of a profes-sional fit and are barely noticeable. Great for individuals who are very active or sensitive to things in their ears.

Size and Technology: Barely noticeable this technology still has an adaptive directional microphone, noise reduction, and feedback can-cellation and sometimes FM or bluetooth compatibility so you can listen to music wirelessly.

More Efficient: With the re-ceiver already near your eardrum it erases the inefficiency of sound having to travel through tubing into your ear canal.

Natural Sound: RIC and Open Ear technology allow more natural sound to reach your eardrum verses amplified sound.

Reduced Feedback: With more space between the micro-phone and the receiver it is harder for the microphone to pick up am-plified sound.

Cosmetics: The processor and receiver are smaller and lighter. The transmission tube is hair-thin and bends with your ear.

Reprogrammable: As your hearing changes both types can be reprogrammed simply by computer.

Repair Easily: The receiver or a thin tube can quickly and easily be replaced at your hearing aid office while you wait.

Longer Battery Life: RIC and Open Ear technology allows for a larger battery and longer battery life.

Beltone- True

Unitron- Moxi

Audina- True

ReSound-Verso

Sonic- Flipd

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Important Questions To Ask About

Digital Hearing Instruments

• How many channels does it have? How many do I need?

• What type of Automatic Signal Processing compression does it use? what type is best for me?

• Does it have more than one direc-tional microphone for hearing with background noise?

• Is it FM compatible? Do I want FM compatibilty?

• How many memories does it have? How many different listening situations do I encounter?

• Does it come with a remote con-trol and do I need a remote control?

Digital Hearing AidsHearing aids contain a single silicon chip that are made up of hundreds of tiny micro-manufactured electrical pieces. This allows the hearing aid to process incoming sound digitally.

How Digital Hearing Aids

Work

The hearing aid microphone turns

sound into an electrical signal.

The filter removes inaudible

frequencies.

The electrical signal goes to the ana-log-to-digital converter, which changes it to a numerical digital signal (0s and 1s) so it can be manipulated by the hearing aid’s internal computer (DSP chip).

This chip is programmed to perform many numerical operations (filtering, noise reduction, loudness compensation, and feedback cancellation) depending on the algorithm used.

The digital signal is converted back into audible sound for the patient to hear. These functions are performed instantly and continually.

User Benefits For Digital Hearing Aids

• Availablity of Automatic Signal Processing circuits are not available with non-programmable instruments.

• Multiple circuit options within a single instrument which achieve dif-ferent sound qualities.

• Automatically achieves more volume for the soft, high frequency sounds and less volume for the more intense, low frequency sounds.

• Capable of retaining the patients complete audiometric file and pre-ferred listening program for various environments.

• Ability to readjust your prescription should your hearing loss change.

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Model

Style

Receiver-In-Canal

Open FitNumber

Toggle/ ButtonRemote

Channels

Kneepoint

Ratio

Limiting CompressionManual

AutomaticAdaptive

Multi-channel AdaptiveActive Noise Reduction

Active Speech EnchancementImpulse Sound Management

Gain ReductionStatic Feedback Cancellation

Adaptive Feedback CancellationDirect Audio Input

FM IntegrationW

ireless ConnectivityW

iredNon-W

iredEntry Level Hearing Aid Comparisons

p Standardl AvailableA Mini BTEB BTEC CICD ITEE ITCF All Styles

Dalia 10 Petite C,D,E l 3 p 6 variable variable p p p p

Dalia 312/13 UZ Petite D,E l 3 p 6 variable variable p p p p p p

Dalia microM A l 3 p 6 variable variable p p p p p p

Dalia M H20/microP/SP B l p 6 variable variable p p p p p p p l l l

Audeo S SMART I A l p 6 variable variable p p p p p p

Naida S I UP/SP B p 6 variable variable p p p p p p p l l l

Milo Plus CIC/MC C l p 4 variable variable p p p p

MILO Plus C/HS/FS D,E l p 4 variable variable p p p p p p

Milo Plus SP/UP B p 4 variable variable p p p p p p p l l

Milo Plus Micro A l p 4 variable variable p p p p p p p l l l

PHONAK

RESOUNDVea 2 Standard BTE B l 3 p p p p p p p p p p p p

Vea 2 Power BTE B 3 p 6 40-48 1.0-3.0 p p p p p p p p p p p

Vea 2 ITE D 3 l 6 40-48 1.0-3.0 p l l l l p p p p p

Vea 2 ITC E 3 l 6 40-48 1.0-3.0 p l l l l p p p p p

Vea 2 CIC C 3 l 6 40-48 1.0-3.0 p p p

Essence Standard B p l 3 p 6 40-48 1.0-3.0 p p p p p p p p p p p

Essence ITE D l 3 p 4 40-48 1.0-3.0 p l l p p p p p p

Essence ITC E l 3 p 4 40-48 1.0-3.0 p l l l p p p p p

EssenceCIC C l 3 p 4 40-48 1.0-3.0 p p p p p p

SELECT A,C,D,E 3 p 4 variable variable p p p p

SELECT B l 3 p 6 variable variable p p p p p p

SELECT B l l 3 p 6 variable variable p p p p p p

Simply Clear

KEY

O

R

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Model

Style

Receiver-In-Canal

Open FitNumber


Channels

Kneepoint

Ratio


AutomaticAdaptive





FM IntegrationW


iredNon-W

ired


KEY

Day 4+ HP B 3 p 4 39-off 1:1-4:1 p p p p p

Day 4+ P B l 3 p 4 39-off 1:1-4:1 p p p p

Day 4+ Free A,B l 3 p 4 39-off 1:1-4:1 p p p p

Day 4+ Open A l 3 p 4 39-off 1:1-4:1 p p p p

Day 4+ C,D,E 3 l 4 39-off 1:1-4:1 p l p p

REXTON

Pure XCEL 101 A p l 3 p 6 30-75 1:1-4:1 p p p p p

Motion XCEL SX/P 101 A,B l 3 p 6 30-75 1:1-4:1 p p p p p

Motion XCEL Custom 101 C,D,E 3 l 6 30-75 1:1-4:1 p l p p p

Siemens Life 101 A l 3 p 6 30-75 1:1-4:1 p p p p p

Motion EZ E 1 6 30-75 1:1-4:1 p p p p

SIEMENS

Velocity 4 F l 2 l 4 variable 1:1-4:1 p l p p p p

Pep 20 B,C,E l 3 l variable 1:1-4:1 p l p p p p

SONIC

Moxi E A p l 4 p l 6 variable variable p p p p p p p p

Quantum E F l 4 p l 6 variable variable p p p p p p p p l l l

Max E B 4 p l 6 variable variable p p p p p p p p l l l

UNITRON

Entry Level Hearing Aid Comparisons

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How Custom Hearing Aids Are Made Today

New technology has improved manufacturing of hearing aids and removed previous, more labor intensive meth-ods. Many hearing aid manufacturers now use CAD/CAM (computer aided design + computer aided manufacturing) technologies to make custom hearing aid shells. This has improved the satisfaction of custom fit a great deal.

To make these custom hearing aids a mold must be made from the individuals ear canal. The mold, or impression, of the ear canal is scanned with a laser beam from many different angles which creates and stores all the thousands of “data points.” The data points create the skeleton, or virtual impression, of the hearing aid.

With the virtual impression they can now begin to build the hearing aid out of its components by piecing them carefully together into a mold that fits into an individuals specific ear canal. The technician creatively must experiment with different arrangements of the components of the hearing aid. The technician must piece together the battery, wax guards, receiver tubing, faceplate, vents, receivers, micro-phone, and digital chip into the tiny custom shell.

The physical creation of the hearing aid from the digital image is called “printing.” The computer prints the blue

print onto the physical material of the shell 1/10 a millimeter at a time. The technician carefully plac-es each component into the custom design of the shell which usually is hollowed out with a dental drill.

The CAD/CAM technology offers many benefits to its patients. These benefits include better acous-tics, more comfortable custom fit, less feedback with more gain, uniform shell thickness, no need for repeated ear impressions, efficient production, accurate creation of a patients ear canal, and per-fectly placed components in the shell with out error.

Entry Level Hearing Aid Comparisons

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Essential Digital Hearing Aid Comparisons

Sonata A,C,D,E 3 p 6 variable variable p p p p

Sonata B l 3 p 6 variable variable p p p p p p

Sonata B l l 3 p 6 variable variable p p p p p p

SIMPLY CLEAR

Model

Style

Receiver-In-Canal

Open FitNumber


Channels

Kneepoint

Ratio


AutomaticAdaptive





FM IntegrationW


iredNon-W

ired


KEY

Chli SP 5 B 4 p l 6 45-67 1:0-5.0 p l p p p p p p p l l l l

Ino Pro F l l 4 l l 6 50 1:0-5.0 p l p p p p p p p p l l l l

Ino F l l 4 l 4 50 1:0-5.0 p l p p p p p p p l l l

OTICON

Virto Q50-nano C 3 p 12 variable variable p p p p

Virto Q50-10 C,D,E l 3 p l 12 variable variable p p p p

Virto Q50-312 D,E l 3 p l 12 variable variable p p p p p p p l l l l

Virto Q50-13 D,E l 3 p l 12 variable variable p p p p p p p l l l l

Bolero Q50-M312 A l 3 p l 12 variable variable p p p p p p p l l l l

Bolero Q50-M13/P/SP A,B l 3 p l 12 variable variable p p p p p p p p l l l l

Audeo S SMART III/YES III/MINI A l 3 p l 6 variable variable p p p p p p p l l l l

Naida S III CRT A p l 3 p l 6 variable variable p p p p p p p p l l l l

Naida S III UP/ SP B p 3 p l 6 variable variable p p p p p p p p l l l l

PHONAK

Sparx Super Power BTE B 4 p 9 40-48 1:0-3.0 p p p p p p p p p p p

Vea 3 Mini BTE A l 4 p 7 40-48 1:0-3.0 p p p p p p p p p p p

Vea 3 Standard BTE B l 4 p 7 40-48 1:0-3.0 p p p p p p p p p p p

Vea 3 Power BTE B 4 p 7 40-48 1:0-3.0 p p p p p p p p p p

Vea 3 ITE D 4 l 7 40-48 1:0-3.0 p l l l l p p p p p

Vea 3 ITC E 4 l 7 40-48 1:0-3.0 p l l l l p p p p p

Vea 3 CIC C 4 l 7 40-48 1:0-3.0 p p p

RESOUND

Day 6+ HP B 4 p l 6 39-off 1:1-4:1 p p p p p p p p

Day 6+ P B l 4 p l 6 39-off 1:1-4:1 p p p p p p p

Day 6+ Free A,B l 4 p l 6 39-off 1:1-4:1 p p p p p p p

Day 6+ Open A l 4 p l 6 39-off 1:1-4:1 p p p p p p p

Day 6+ C,D,E 4 l l 6 39-off 1:1-4:1 p l l p p p p

Day 6+ Energy C,D,E 4 l 6 39-off 1:1-4:1 p p p p

Cobalt Eco+ A p l 4 p l 6 39-off 1:1-4:1 p p p p p p p

Onyx ECO+ A p l 4 p l 6 39-off 1:1-4:1 p p p p p p p

REXTON

OR

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Model

Style

Receiver-In-Canal

Open FitNumber


Channels

Kneepoint

Ratio


AutomaticAdaptive





FM IntegrationW


iredNon-W

ired


Pure XCEL/Carat 301 A p l 5 p l 8 30-75 1:1-4:1 p p p p p p p l p

Motion XCEL SX/XEL P 301 A,B l 5 p l 8 30-75 1:1-4:1 p p p p p p p l p

Motion XCEL Custom 301 C,D,E 5 l l 8 30-75 1:1-4:1 p l l p p p p l l

Eclipse XCEL 301 C 1 8 30-75 1:1-4:1 p p p p p

Siemens Life 301 A l 5 p l 8 30-75 1:1-4:1 p p p p p p p l p

Nitro Custom 301 C,D,E 5 l 8 30-75 1:1-4:1 p p p p p

Nitro SP 301 B 5 p l 8 30-75 1:1-4:1 p p p p p p p p p

SIEMENS

Ignite 20 F l l 4 l p 4 variable 1:1-3:1 p l l p p p p l p

Ignite Wireless i20 C,D,E l l 4 l p 4 variable 1:1-3:1 p l l p p p p l p p

Tour i20 A,B l l 4 l p 4 variable 1:1-3:1 p l l p p p p l p

AMP DISC* 4 fixed 1:1-3:1 p p

STARKEY

Touch 6 A p 2 p 6 variable 1:1-4:1 p p p p p p p p p p

Velocity 6 F l 2 l 6 variable 1:1-4:1 p l l l p p p p p p

ion A o 3 p 16 variable 1:1-4:1 p p l l p p p

Endura 6 B 3 p 6 variable 1:1-4:1 p p p p p p p p p

Varicom 5 A,B,E l 3 p l variable 1:1-4:1 p p p p p p p p p p

Flip 60 A p 3 p l variable 1:1-4:1 p p p p p p p

SONIC

*Invisible hearing aid styles on page 22 for more information

Moxi 6 A p l 4 p l 6 variable variable p p p p p p p p p p

Quantum 6 F l 4 p l 6 variable variable p p p p p p p p p l l p l

Max 6 B 4 p l 6 variable variable p p p p p p p p p l l p l

Tandem 4 B l 4 p l 4 variable variable p p p p p p p p

UNITRON

KEY

C2-9 A l 3 p l 5 variable variable p p p p p p p p

C2-m/m-cb A l 3 l 5 variable variable p p p p p p p

C2-F5 A p l 3 p l 5 variable variable p p p p p p p

C2-PA A p l 3 l 5 variable variable p p p p p p p

C2-XP D,E 3 l 5 variable variable p p p p p p p

C2-CIC C 3 l 5 variable variable p p p p p

ME3-9/19 A,B 2-3 p l 3 variable variable p p p p p p p

ME3-m A 2-3 l l 3 variable variable p p p p p

ME3-X D,E 2-3 p l 3 variable variable p p p p p

ME3-CIC C 2-3 3 variable variable p p p

WIDEX

Essential Digital Hearing Aid Comparisons

14

Why Do We Hear Better With Two Ears?

The Human hearing system, with its accuracy and ver-satility, is the most advances stereophonic mechanism known to man. Binaural listening broken up means two from “bi” and ears from “aural.” This system provides us with depth perception, balance and space perception.

Most would conclude hearing happens in your ears but it actually happens in our brains. Our brains decipher sound and our ears are the vessel that brings our brains that information. Together both ears provide accurate information and with out one ear our brain collects only 50% of the information necessary to accurately analyze space and depth.

Reasons To Wear Two Hearing AidsImproves your ability to detect sound direction. This ability could save your life. When we can only accurately hear from one hear we often times can’t decipher which direction a noise, such as a screeching tire, is coming from. Binaural listening allows us to detect sound 360 degrees in all locations, which allows us to locate where sounds are coming from.

Two hearing aids improve efficiency and clarity because less power is used. They work more effectively together and lower volume levels can be set. A reduced volume in one ear prevents excessive amplification that can dam-age your hearing. Individuals will find two hearing aids provide a more comfortable level of amplification.

Two hearing aids allows stereo listening which provides a better quality of sound. Mono listening makes the sound around flat, shallow and unnatural. Stereo sound allows us to hear and understand a more natural sound.

Individuals are provided all the information they need from both ears to have auditory intelligence. Just as we need two eyes to accurately analyze what we are seeing, we need two ears to give both halves of our brain an accurate analysis. The ears’ sound signals travel complex pathways through the brain and sometimes from one side of the brain to the other. These complicated pathways of stimulation give us what is auditory intelligence and the ability to have the full picture of what we are hearing.

Those individuals who use two hearing aids enjoy a better quality of life. Users of binaural hearings experience the depth and clarity of the world we live in again.

Using two hearing aids allows an advantage when hearing in noise. In environments with lots of background noise one-eared listening hears all the voices and background noises blend together. Wearing two hearing aids al-lows you to distinguish between background noise and voices as well as the depth between those you are talking with and voices in the backdrop.

Two-eared listeners are more polite. One-eared listeners can easily be perceived as rude when individuals are speaking on their unaided side. Wearing two hearing aids allows individuals to function better in social settings.

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Advanced Digital Hearing Aid Comparisons

Symphoria F 3 p 6 variable variable p p p p p p p p

Symphoria B l 3 p 6 variable variable p p p p p p p

Symphoria B l l 3 p 6 variable variable p p p p p p p

SIMPLY CLEAR

Model

Style

Receiver-In-Canal

Open FitNumber


Channels

Kneepoint

Ratio


AutomaticAdaptive





FM IntegrationW


iredNon-W

ired


KEY

Chli SP 7 B 4 p l 8 45-66 1:0-5:0 p l p p p p p p p p l l l l

Acto Pro F l l 4 l 8 30-45 1:0-5:0 p l p p p p p p p p l l l l

Acto F l l 4 l 6 30-45 1:0-5:0 p l p p p p p p p l l l l

Intiga 6 A p l 4 l 6 50 1:0-5:0 p p p p p p p l

OTICON

Virto Q70-nano C 4 p 16 variable variable p p p p p

Virto Q70-10 C,D,E l 4 p l 16 variable variable p p p p p

Virto Q70-312 D,E l 4 p l 16 variable variable p p p p p p p p p l l l l


Bolero Q70-M312 A l 4 p l 16 variable variable p p p p p p p p p l l l l

Bolero Q70-M13/P/SP A,B l 4 p l 16 variable variable p p p p p p p p p p l l l l

Audeo S SMART V/ YES V/ MINI V

A p l 4 p l 16 variable variablep p p p p p p p p l l l l

Naida S V CRT A p l 4 p l 16 variable variable p p p p p p p p p p l l l l

Naida S V UP/ SP B l 4 p l 16 variable variable p p p p p p p p p p l l l l

Nios S H20 V A l 4 p l 16 variable variable p p p p p p p p p p l l l l

PHONAK

Verso 7 RIE A p l 4 p l 17 40-48 1:0-3.0 p p p p p p p p p p p p

Verso 7 Mini BTE/BTE A,B l 4 p l 17 40-48 1:0-3.0 p p p p p p p p p p p

Verso 7 CIC/ITE/ITC C,D,E 4 l l 17 40-48 1:0-3.0 p l l l l p p p p p l

Verso 7 Remote Mic C,D,E 4 l l 17 40-48 1:0-3.0 p p p p p p l

Alera 7 BTE/ RIE A,B l l 4 p l 17 40-48 1:0-3.0 p p p p p p p p p p p p

Alera 7 CIC/ITC/ITE C,D,E 4 l l 17 40-48 1:0-3.0 p l l l l p p p p p l

Alera 7 Remote Mic C,D,E 4 l l 17 40-48 1:0-3.0 p p p p p p l

Alera 5 RIE/Mini BTE/BTE A,B l l 4 p l 17 40-48 1:0-3.0 p p p p p p p p p p p p

Alera CIC/ITC/ITE C,D,E 4 l l 17 40-48 1:0-3.0 p l l l l p p p p p l

Alera 5 Remote Mic C,D,E 4 l l 17 40-48 1:0-3.0 p p p p p p l

RESOUND

O

R

16


Bridge 12+ P B l 5 p l 12 39-off 1:1-4:1 p p p p p p p p l p

Bridge 12+ Free A,B l 5 p l 12 39-off 1:1-4:1 p p p p p p p p l p

Bridge 12+Open A l 5 p l 12 39-off 1:1-4:1 p p p p p p p p l p

Bridge 12+ C,D,E 5 l l 12 39-off 1:1-4:1 p l l l p p p p l p

Bridge 12+ Energy C,D,E 5 l 12 39-off 1:1-4:1 p p p p p

Bridge 8+ P B l 4 p l 8 39-off 1:1-4:1 p p p p p p p l p

Bridge 8+ Free A,B l 4 p l 8 39-off 1:1-4:1 p p p p p p p l p

Bridge 8+ Open A l 4 p l 8 39-off 1:1-4:1 p p p p p p p l p

Bridge 8+ C,D,E 4 l l 8 39-off 1:1-4:1 p p p p p p p l p

Stream 8+ D p 4 l 8 39-off 1:1-4:1 p p p p p l p

Onyx 8+ A p l 4 p l 8 39-off 1:1-4:1 p p p p p p p l p

Cobalt 8+ A p l 4 p l 8 39-off 1:1-4:1 p p p p p p p l p

Gem 8+ A p l 4 p l 8 39-off 1:1-4:1 p p p p p p p p

REXTON

Model

Style

Receiver-In-Canal

Open FitNumber


Channels

Kneepoint

Ratio


AutomaticAdaptive





FM IntegrationW


iredNon-W

ired


KEY

Pure 5mi A p l 6 p l 32 20-86 1:1-4:1 p p p p p p p l p

Ace 5mi A p l 6 p 32 20-86 1:1-4:1 p p p p p p p

Aquaris 5mi B l 6 l 32 20-86 1:1-4:1 p p p p p p p l p

Siemens Life 5mi A l 6 p l 32 20-86 1:1-4:1 p p p p p p p l p

Pure XCEL/carat 501 A p l 5 p l 12 30-75 1:1-4:1 p p p p p p p l p

Motion XCEL SX/P 501 A,B l 5 p l 12 30-75 1:1-4:1 p p p p p p p l p

Motion XCEL Custom 501 C,D,E l 5 l l 12 30-75 1:1-4:1 p l l p p p p l l

SIEMENS


Velocity 12 F l 3 l 12 variable 1:1-4:1 p l l l l p p p p p p

ion 200 A o 4 p 16 variable 1:1-4:1 p p l l p p p p

Endura 12 B 4 p 12 variable 1:1-5:1 p p p p p p p p p p p

Flip 80 A p 4 p l variable 1:1-5:1 p p p p p p p p p p

Bliss 80 A,C,D,E l 4 p l variable 1:1-5:1 p p p p p p p p p p p

SONIC

17

X Series 70 F l l 4 l p 8 variable 1:1-3:1 p l l p p p p l p

Xino Wireless i70 A l l 4 l p 8 variable 1:1-3:1 p l l p p p p l

Xino 70 A l l 4 l p 8 variable 1:1-3:1 p l l p p p p l

Soundlens i70 IIC* 4 p 8 variable 1:1-3:1 p p p p p

Wi Series i70 F l l 4 l p 8 variable 1:1-3:1 p l l p p p p l p p

3 Series i70 A,B l l 4 l p 8 variable 1:1-3:1 p l l p p p p l p p



Tour i30 A,B l l 4 l p 6 variable 1:1-3:1 p l l p p p p l p p

STARKEY




Max 20 B 4 p l 20 variable variable p p p p p p p p p l l p l



Tandem 16 B l 4 p l 16 variable variable p p p p p p p p p p

UNITRON

C3-9 A l 4 p l 10 variable variable p p p p p p p p p

C3-m/m-cb A l 4 l 10 variable variable p p p p p p p p

C3-FS A p l 4 p l 10 variable variable p p p p p p p p

C3-PA A p l 4 l 10 variable variable p p p p p p p p

C3-XP D,E 4 l 10 variable variable p p p p p p p p

C3-CIC C 4 l 10 variable variable p p p p p p

ME5-9/19 A,B 2-5 p l 5 variable variable p p p p p p p

ME5-m A l 2-5 l l 5 variable variable p p p p p

ME5-X D,E l 2-5 p l 5 variable variable p p p p p

ME5-CIC C 2-5 5 variable variable p p p

WIDEX


Did You Know?

Tinnitus is the sensation of noise or ringing in the ears when external sound is not perfect. Hearing loss and tinnitus are closely related. The sound amplification offered by hearing aids can alleviate or reduce both tinnitus and hearing loss.

18

hearing technology has allowed the creation of an even smaller, completely invisible hearing aid.

Invisible Hearing Aid Comparisons

Further advancement in hearing technology has allowed the creation of an even smaller, completely invisible hearing aid, even smaller than CIC hearing devices. There three different categories for this ultra-tiny hearing aid: a custom fit digital hearing aid (like Cue), a ready-to-wear digital hearing aid (like AMP), an extended-wear analog hearing aid (like Lyric). Although these may be visually appealing they may not be the right fit for every individual. The degree of hearing loss as well as shape and size of hearing canal must be considered.

AGX HEARING AGXO di100 Acrylic Plastic p varies varies 10A 7-10 days p p p p

SIMPLY CLEAR Solaris Acrylic p p varies varies 10 A 7-8 days p p p p p p

SIMPLY CLEAR Symphoria Acrylic p p varies varies 10A 7-8 days p p p p p p

OTICON Intiga Acrylic p 8mm 6mm 10A 7-9 days p p p p p

PHONAK Lyric Soft Foam p varies varies Propri-etary

120 daysp p p

PHONAK Virto Q90-nano Acrylic Plastic p varies varies 10A 4-7 days p p p p p p



PHONAK Ambra nano Acrylic Plastic p varies varies 10A 4-7 days p p p p p

PHONAK Solana nano Acrylic Plastic p varies varies 10A 4-7 days p p p p p

PHONAK Cassia nano Acrylic Plastic p varies varies 10A 4-7 days p p p p p

RESOUND Verso 9 IIC Acrylic Plastic p varies varies 10A 3-6 days p p p p p

RESOUND Verso 7 IIC Acrylic Plastic p varies varies 10A 3-6 days p p p p p

REXTON Insite+ Pico UV p varies varies 10A 5-7 days p p p p p

REXTON Bridge8+ Pico UV p varies varies 10A 5-7 days p p p p p

SIEMENS iMini Plastic p varies varies 10A 5-7 days p p p p p

SIEMENS iMini301 Plastic p varies varies 10A 5-7 days p p p p p

SONIC Groove Plastic p 12mm 6mm 10A 6-8 days p p p p p

STARKEY AMP Elastomeric Sleeve

p p varies varies 10A 6-8 days pp p p

STARKEY Soundlens 11 Custom Shell p p varies varies 10A 5-7 days p p p p p p

STARKEY Soundlens 9 Custom Shell p p varies varies 10A 5-7 days p p p p p p

STARKEY Soundlens7 Custom Shell p p varies varies 10A 5-7 days p p p p p p

UNITRON Quantum 20 Micro CIC Acrylic Plastic p varies varies 10A 5-7 days p p p p p



UNITRON Quantum E Micro CIC Acrylic Plastic p varies varies 10A 5-7 days p p p p p

WIDEX ME10-IIC Acrylic Plastic p 12mm 5mm 10A 5-6 days p p p p p



Manufacterer Model

Material

Custom Fit

Extended Wear

Minimum Length

Minimum Diameter

Battery Size

Battery Life Expectancy

Insertable by Patient

Removable by Patient

Feeback Cancellation

Noise Reduction

Remote Control

Programmable

i

i

20

Hearing Aid Battery BasicsBatteries pictured are actual size and will be dictated by shell size and style as well as circuitry options.

For more information ask you hearing profes-sional.

Battery Size

10Battery Size

312Battery Size

13Battery Size

675

ReSound-Verso Phonak- LyricReSound-Verso

AMPReSound-Verso

Unitron-QuantrumReSound-Verso

Invisible Hearing Aid Comparisons

Can Be Found In

CIC,Thin-Tube BTE

ITC, ITE,Thin-Tube BTE

Can Be Found In

ITE or BTE

Can Be Found In

BTE

Can Be Found In

Lasts Up To

5 days 10 daysLasts Up To

2 weeksLasts Up To

3 weeksLasts Up To

21

Model

Style

Receiver-In-Canal

Open FitNumber


Channels

Kneepoint

Ratio


AutomaticAdaptive





FM IntegrationW


iredNon-W

iredPremium Digital Hearing Aid Comparisons

Solaris A,C,D,E 3 p 6 variable variable p p p p p p p p p p

Solaris B l 3 p 6 variable variable p p p p p p p p p p p

Solaris B l l 3 p 6 variable variable p p p p p p p p p p p

SIMPLY CLEAR


KEY

Chli SP 5 B 4 p l 9 45-66 1:0-5:0 p l p p p p p p p p l l l l

Agil Pro F l l 4 l l 10 30-45 1:0-5:0 p l p p p p p p p p l l l l

Agil F l l 4 l l 10 30-45 1:0-5:0 p l p p p p p p p p l l l l

Intiga 10 A p l 4 l 10 30-45 1:0-5:0 p p p p p p p p p l

Intiga 8 A p p 4 l 8 30-45 1:0-5:0 p p p p p p p p p l

OTICON

Virto Q90-nano C l 5 p l 20 variable variable p p p p p

Virto Q90-10 C,D,E l 5 p l 20 variable variable p p p p p



Bolero Q90-M312 A l 5 p l 20 variable variable p p p p p p p p p l l l l

Bolero Q90-M13 A,B l 5 p l 20 variable variable p p p p p p p p p p l l l l

Bolero Q90-P/SP A,B l 5 p l 20 variable variable p p p p p p p p p p l l l l

Audeo S SMART IX/ YES IX/ MINI IX

A p l 5 p l 20 variable variablep p p p p p p p p l l l l

Naida S IX CRT A p l 5 p l 20 variable variable p p p p p p p p p p l l l l

Naida S IX UP/ SP B 5 p l 20 variable variable p p p p p p p p p p l l l l

PHONAK

O

R

22

Model

Style

Receiver-In-Canal

Open FitNumber


Channels

Kneepoint

Ratio


AutomaticAdaptive





FM IntegrationW


iredNon-W


Insite + P B l 5 p l 16 39-off 1:1-4:1 p p p p p p p p l p

Insite + Free A,B l 5 p l 16 39-off 1:1-4:1 p p p p p p p p l p

Insite + Open A l 5 p l 16 39-off 1:1-4:1 p p p p p p p p l p

Insite + C,D,E 5 l l 16 39-off 1:1-4:1 p l l l p p p p l p

Stream 16+ D p 5 l 16 39-off 1:1-4:1 p p p p p l p

Insite + Energy C,D,E 5 l 16 39-off 1:1-4:1 p p p p p

Onyx 12+ A p l 5 p l 12 39-off 1:1-4:1 p p p p p p p p l p

Cobalt 16+ A p l 5 p l 16 39-off 1:1-4:1 p p p p p p p p l p

Cobalt 12+ A p l 5 p l 12 39-off 1:1-4:1 p p p p p p p p l p

Gem 12+ A p l 4 p l 12 39-off 1:1-4:1 p p p p p p p p

REXTON


KEY

Pure 7mi A p l 6 p l 48 20-86 1:1-4:1 p p p p p p p l p

Ace 7mi A p l 6 p 48 20-86 1:1-4:1 p p p p p p p

Aquaris 7mi B l 6 l 48 20-86 1:1-4:1 p p p p p p p l p

Siemens Life 7mi A l 6 p l 48 20-86 1:1-4:1 p p p p p p p l p

Pure XCEL/carat 701 A p l 5 p l 16 30-75 1:1-4:1 p p p p p p p l p

Motion XCEL SX/P 701 A,B l 5 p l 16 30-75 1:1-4:1 p p p p p p p l p

Motion XCEL Custom 701 C,D,E 5 l l 16 30-75 1:1-4:1 p l l p p p p l l

Eclipse XCEL 701 C 1 16 30-75 1:1-4:1 p p p p p

Nitro Custom 701 C,D,E 5 l 16 30-75 1:1-4:1 p p p p p

Nitro SP 701 B 5 p l 16 30-75 1:1-4:1 p p p p p p p p p

SIEMENS

Verso 9 RIE A p l 4 p l 17 40-48 1:0-3.0 p p p p p p p p p p p

Verso 9 Mini BTE A l 4 p l 17 40-48 1:0-3.0 p p p p p p p p p p p p

Verso 9 BTE B l 4 p l 17 40-48 1:0-3.0 p p p p p p p p p p p p

Verso 9 CIC C 4 l l 17 40-48 1:0-3.0 p p p p p p p p p

Verso 9 ITE D 4 l 17 40-48 1:0-3.0 p l p p p p p p p p l

Verso 9 ITC E 4 l l 17 40-48 1:0-3.0 p l p p p p p p p p

Verson Remote Mic C,D,E 4 l l 17 40-48 1:0-3.0 p p p p p p p p p l

Alera 9 BTE/RIE A,B l l 4 p l 17 40-48 1:0-3.0 p p p p p p p p p p p p

Alera 9 CIC/ITC/ITE C,D,E 4 l l 17 40-48 1:0-3.0 p l p p p p p p p p l

Alera 9 Remote Mic C,D,E 4 l l 17 40-48 1:0-3.0 p p p p p p p p p l

RESOUND

23

Model

Style

Receiver-In-Canal

Open FitNumber


Channels

Kneepoint

Ratio


AutomaticAdaptive





FM IntegrationW


iredNon-W



KEY


Velocity 24 F l 4 l 24 variable 1:1-4:1 p l l l l p p p p p p l

ion 400 A o 4 p 24 variable 1:1-4:1 p p p p p p p p p p

Groove C* 1 24 variable 1:1-4:2 p p p p p



SONIC




Soundlens i70 IIC* 4 p 8 variable 1:1-3:1 p p p p p





Tour i30 A,B l l 4 l p 6 variable 1:1-3:1 p l l p p p p l p p

STARKEY


Velocity 12 F l 3 l 12 variable 1:1-4:1 p l l l l p p p p p p

ion 200 A o 4 p 16 variable 1:1-4:1 p p l l p p p p

Endura 12 B 4 p 12 variable 1:1-5:1 p p p p p p p p p p p



SONIC

24






Xino 90 A l l 4 p 12 variable 1:1-3:1 p l l p p p p l

Soundlens 11 IIC* 4 p 16 variable 1:1-3:1 p p p p p

Soundlens 9 IIC* 4 p 12 variable 1:1-3:1 p p p p p





STARKEY


Moxi Pro A p l 4 p l 20 variable variable p p p p p p p p p p

Quantum Pro A,B,D,E l 4 p l 20 variable variable p p p p p p p p p l l p l

UNITRON

C4-9 A l 5 p l 15 variable variable p p p p p p p p p

C4-m/m-cb A l 5 l 15 variable variable p p p p p p p p

C4-FS A p l 5 p l 15 variable variable p p p p p p p p

C4-PA A p l 5 l 15 variable variable p p p p p p p p

C4-XP D,E 5 l 15 variable variable p p p p p p p p

C4-CIC C 5 l 15 variable variable p p p p p p

ME10-9/19 A,B 2-5 p l 10 variable variable p p p p p p p p

ME10-m A l 2-5 l l 10 variable variable p p p p p p

ME10-X D,E l 2-5 p l 10 variable variable p p p p p p

ME10-CIC C 2-5 l 10 variable variable p p p p

WIDEX

Model

Style

Receiver-In-Canal

Open FitNumber


Channels

Kneepoint

Ratio


AutomaticAdaptive





FM IntegrationW


iredNon-W



KEY

25

Noteable Features

Feedback Suppression: Helps prevent feedback in your hearing aid.

Wireless Connectivity: Allows direct wireless audio reception from TV, computers, stereos, and other devices.

Telecoil: Improves a hearing aid’s function in loud environments and improves sound quality of phone calls by directing the microphone sound straight through your hearing aid.

Directional Micrphones: Helps single out the voice of the person you are talking to face-to-face and better ignores back-ground noise.

Hearing Aids or Surgery:Which Is Right For You?

The majority of adults expe-riencing hearing loss do not have a medical condition, meaning they do not need medical or surgical treatment. Surgery is very invasive and traumatic and should be used only when absolutely needed. This is the advice of the coun-try’s most respected surgeons.

Surgical treatment is not gen-erally recommended because of the risk of further harm to your ear and natural hearing. It is only recommended if hearing loss is more severe than what hearing aids can help with.

Surgeries are also not cost ef-fective. Surgeries can cost up to $50,000. Hearing aids cost significantly less.

Surgeries should be considered with the recommendation of your hearing professional if your hearing loss is severe and sound levels are low. Other-wise, hearing aids are effective at amplifying existing hearing. More than 85% of adults with hearing loss cannot benefit from medical and surgical treatment.

What are the odds I need hearing aids?

Four out of five adults with problems with hearing need hearing aids, not surgery.

26

Types ofHearing Problems

Hearing problems are grouped according to the location of the damage or defect.

Sensorineural ConductiveThis hearing loss is attributed to the aging process and is also known as nerve-damage hearing loss. This is the gradual diminishing of stereocilia, or hair cells, within the co-chlea. This damage prevents accurate deliv-ery of signals to the brain causing distorted sound.

More than 85% of adults that have hearing loss suffer from this type. Discussing and testing with a hearing professional can help with sensorineural hearing loss.

Conductive hearing loss occurs when sound does not successfully move from the exter-nal or middle ear to the inner ear. Individuals who suffer from this form of hearing loss do not generally lose clarity of sound, they lose loudness. This can be caused from infections or blockages in the ear canal or middle caus-ing the sound to be inefficient in its travel. The eardrum could have been punctured or hardened. The bones in the middle ear could be calcified and “stuck” together. There are many other things that can cause this as well and always needs to be checked by an otolaryngologist or family physician.

Approximately 15% of adults that have hear-ing loss suffer from conductive hearing loss. Hearing aids, as well as medical or surgical intervention, can help those who suffer from this form.

COMBINEDOR MIXED

27

adaptive directional microphones: directional microphone system which, when activated, can adapt based on the location of noise.adaptive feedback cancellation: a digital process which creates a fil-ter within the amplifier of the hearing aid to cancel feedback the moment it is detected without reducing or altering the hearng aid’s reponse. The filter will automatically change (or adapt) if the feedback is cause by a different or changing situation.ASP (Bill Circuitry): stands for Automatic Signal Processing Bass In-creases at Low Levels. This circuit also decreases the bass at high lev-els. BILL circuitry is often marketed under the trademark name “Man-hattan” circuit. BILL circuitry is intended for wearers who frequently find themselves in noisy environments, especially environments where low frequency noise is a constant factor. Harsh or shrill sounds are not amplified, but are actually reduce–d by this circuit.ASP (PILL Circuitry): stands for Automatic Signal Processing Pro-grammable Increases at Lower Levels. This type of circuitry is more versatile than TILL or BILL circuitry because it can be programmed by computer to automatically perform as a BILL circuit on one channel and a TILL circuit on another. The user can switch between circuits as lis-tening environments change.ASP (TILL Circuitry): stands for Automatic Signal Processing Treble Increases at Low Levels. This circuit also decreases the high frequency volume at high levels. TILL circuitry is often marketed under the trade-mark nam “K-AMP.” TILL circuitry is intended for wearers who need more volume to hear the quiet sounds than they do for loud sounds. Harsh or shrill sounds are not amplified, but pass through the circuit unaltered.audiogram: a graph on which to record the auditory threshold by fre-quency of a patient’s hearing.audiometry: the measurement of hearing.aural: having to do with the ear of hearing.auditory nerve: connects the inner ear and the brain; serves in hearing and balance.automatic directional microphones: directional microphone technol-ogy that is automatically engaged or disengaged without user direction.automatic signal processing (ASP): the family of hearing aid ciruits which automatically change the gain (volume) and frequency response (tones such as bass, midrange and treble) as a function of the sound entering the hearing aid microphone.BICROS: stands for Bilateral Contralateral Routing of Signal. A hearing aid with two microphones, one at each ear and one receiver. Used for a hearing aid wearer who has one aidable ear and one that is not aidable.Bluetooth wireless technology: allows digital hearing instruments to communicate wirelessly.body hearing aid: a hearing aid with a microphone, amplifier, and bat-tery worn on the chest and connected to an ear-worn receiver with a cord.BTE: a behind-the-ear hearing aid system.canal hearing aid: a custom hearing aid that fits mostly in the ear canal with a small part extending into the concha area.class A circuits: have as their defining feature the characteristic of amplifying loud sounds and quiet sounds with equal intensity. For this reason, some patients may find that class A circuits provide either to little sound or too much sound to comfortable reach a listening comfort for their particular hearing loss. The class A circuit provides basic linear amplification and is found in lower priced hearing aids.

cochlea: part of the inner ear that is shaped like a snail. Vibrations in the fluid-filled cochlea cause tiny hair cells to vibrate and generate nerve impulses that then travel to the brain.completely-in-the-ear-canal hearing aid (CIC): the smallest hearing aid which fits beyond the visable opening of the ear canal. Also called deep canal hearing aid.compression amplification: has as its defining feature the character-sitic of decreasing (or compressing) volume as the loudness of sound increases at the hearing aid user’s ear. The goal of compression am-plification is to deliver a more natural loudness throughout the wearer’s entire listening range without under-amplification or over-amplification.CROS: stands for Contralateral Routing of Signal. A hearing aid de-signed for a person with normal hearing in one ear and an unaidable ear on the other side.dB: decibal, a unit for measuring and describing sound intensity or loudness; named after Alexander Graham Bell.digital hearing aid: an instrument that converts the electric signal form the microphone to digital values for processing, then converts them back to electric signals for the ear.direct audio input: the hearing aid has a jack to reveive sound directly from another device such as a TV or personal entertainment system.directional microphone: a microphone that is more sensitive to sound approaching from one direction.dynamic range: the difference in dB between the threshold of hearing and discomfort level.earmold: an impression of your ear canal used to mold the shell of the hearing aid. It is made using silicone or other impression materialexpansion technology: a digital process which allows the hearing aid to provide less gain for sounds that are softer than conversational speech. This improves the quality of sound from the hearing aid when worn in quiet situations by reducing low level noise.external receiver: an instrument design which features a processor worn behind-the-ear and a speaker inserted in the ear canal.feedback: the squeal produced when sound that has been amplified is picked up by the microphone and reamplified in a loop.filter: a device that allows some frequencies to pass through while oth-ers are attenuated (as in high pass, low pass, band pass, high cut, low cut).FM integration: the hearing aid contains an FM receiver to pick up signals from an FM transmitter. There is no additional hardware to plug into the hearing aid. The transmitter can be given to a speaker at a lecture or in a noisy situation in order to isolate the speaker’s voice.frequency: the number of complete oscillations per unit of time, mea-sured in cycles per second and expressed in Hertz (Hz).gain: the amount of dB that the sound has been increased.gain control: a device which allows the gain to be adjusted (such as volume control or potentiometer).gain reduction: used in multi-channel hearing aids to automatically lower the gain in a specific channel in order to control feedback.hearing aid: also called hearing instrument, means any wearable in-strument or device designed for, or represented as, aiding, improving or correcting defective human hearing.helix: shell style with a free field design allowing for maximum venting of the ear canal.

Definitions of Hearing Aid Terms

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high pass filter: a filter which allows high frequencies to pass through and attenuates low frequencies.impulse sound management: protection from sudden loud sounds.in-the-ear hearing aids (ITE): a custom hearing aid which fits entirely in the concha bowl of the ear (same as full shell).in-the-canal hearing aid (ITC): same as canal hearing aid.invisible-in-the canal (IIC): ultra small hearing aid designed to fit deep in the ear canal, completely out of sight.K-AMP circuit (TILL): causes the Treble to Increase at Low Levels and to decrease at high levels. Named after its inventor, Dr. Mead Killion, this circuit is designed to amplify more in quiet environments and less in loud environments. It was designed for people who need amplification for soft sounds but who hear loud sounds normal. The K-AMP circuit regulates the volume automatically and does not amplify loud sounds.kneepoint: also called compression threshold. It is the point, in sound decibels, that a compression circuit begins to reduce the gain. Some circuits allow this point to be digitally programmed, being customized to the user’s need.limiting compression circuits: automatically limit volume as it enters the hearing aid microphone. This circuit is designed for patients who have mild to moderately severe, sharply or gently sloping high frequen-cy and flat losses.linearity: the condition where a change in input level causes a similar change in output.low pass filter: a filter that allows low frequencies to pass through and attenuates high frequencies.low profile: shell size hearing aid between a full ITE and a half shell.mixed hearing loss: a hearing loss which is a combination of conduc-tive and sensorineural impairments.multi-channel adaptive directional microphones: an adaptive direc-tional microphone system which can manage multiple noise sources at the same time.multiple directional microphone: see omni-directional microphone.multi-channel technology: technology which electronically separates the incoming sound into bands and adjusts the sound intensity in each band independently. The benefit is a hearing aid that more finely tailors the frequency response and compression characteristics to each user’s unique hearing needs.narrow band filter: a filter which allows a specific restricted frequency range to pass through while attenuating adjacent frequencies on each side of the filter.noise management: a process which alters the response of a hearing aid in noisy situations in order to ensure the listener’s comfort.non-programmable multi-channel: technology which electronically separates teh incoming sound into bands and adjusts the sound inten-sity in each band independently. The benefit is a hearing aid that more finely tailors the frequency response and compression characteristics to each user’s unique hearing needs. These hearing aids are adjusted manually by a potentiometer.omni-directional microphone: also called multiple directional micro-phone. A microphone which picks up sound from all directions.open-fit: a class of hearing aids that do not occlude the ear canal.potentiometer: a volume wheel or screw set control which allows for fine adjustments to a hearing aid.

presbycusis: a sensorineural hearing loss related to aging.probe microphone: a microphone tube used in Real-Ear testing.programmable circuitry: a feature which allows the hearing aid to be digitally programmed using a computer. Advantages are preciseness of electroacoustic adjustments at the time of the fitting and ease of access to different types of signal processing for different listening conditions.ratio (compression ration): the degree to which loud sounds are re-duced. It is a ratio relationship, A:B, where A is the amount of original gain into the hearing aid and B is the amount of gain applied after com-pression.real ear testing: the measurement of sound in the ear canal by means of a probe tube and computerized equipment.rechargeable: a hearing aid designed with a rechargeable battery.receiver-in-canal (RIC): a behind-the-ear hearing aid (typically a mini-BTE) employing a separate receiver worn in the ear canal and connect-ed with a thing wire.remote volume control: wireless, remote control device that allows the user to adjust the hearing aid.speech discrimination: a test which measures the subject’s ability to distinguish words.speech recognition threshold (SRT): the lowest level at which the subject can correctly repeat spondaic (two syllable) words.static feedback cancellation: a digital process which creates a filter in the hearing aid amplifier and is programmed into the hearing aid during the fitting. The filter cancels feedback that is occuring at that time. The filter will continue to cancel feedback that occurs in the same situation, but will not adapt to changing situations.telecoil: an induction coil in a hearing aid which picks up the electro-magnetic signal from a telephone or loop amplification system.threshold: the level above which the subject gives a positive response and below which the subject does not give a response.tinnitus: the sensation of noise or ringing in the ears when an external sound is not present.toggle: a switch on a hearing aid that allows the user to employ differ-ent memories for different situations. One memory might be set for a quiet office, another may be set for a noisy restaurant.tympanogram: a graphical representation of the changes in acoustic immittance of the middle ear in repsonse to changes in pressure.tympanometry: the measurement of sound flowing through the middle ear in response to changes in pressure.variable release compression: compression technology which re-duces volume in loud circumstances continuously until the sound falls below a predetermine decibel level. With a long, loud sound, release is delayed based on the decibel level entering the hearing aid. The benefit is that it virtually eliminates the “pumping” sound associated with peak clipping in more primitive compression circuits. This circuit helps the user obtain comfortable listening in various levels of noise.vent: a hole drilled the length of an earmold or ITE shell to allow sound to escape.video otoscope: a miniaturized camera that the hearing professional inserts into the subject’s ear to view and photograph the ear canal and eardrum.wireless technology: technology that allows digital instruments to wirelessly communicate information.

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what’s best for you? · all protecting your ears from further damage from loud sounds. ... •...

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