Hearing Aids

HEARING INSTITUTE OF TEXAS

Hearing aid technology is advancing rapidly, and at the Hearing Institute of Texas, we keep abreast of these developments, putting you in touch with the right assistance for your individual lifestyle and needs. The following are some of the styles of hearing aids, as well as the new features that may be suited to you. Additional features are not right for everyone, so we are eager to consult with you about which features seem appealing and which might be an unnecessary encumbrance.

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Signs You Need a Hearing Aid

Hearing loss usually develops gradually, and it’s difficult to notice the changes right away. Family members or close friends are often the first to point out the issue. If you’re experiencing any of the following, it may be time to make an appointment to discuss hearing devices:

You frequently say “what?” or ask others to repeat themselves.
You have trouble understanding conversations in loud places, such as restaurants, malls, or social gatherings.
You find yourself turning up the TV volume, even when your family complains it’s too loud.
Other people’s speech sounds muffled, especially consonant sounds.
You have listening fatigue—you’re straining to hear, and it’s starting to take a toll on your mental energy.

Styles of Hearing Aids

The needs and desires of hearing aid wearers have prompted designers and manufacturers to move beyond a one-size-fits-all approach. The styles of hearing aids range from tiny units that are invisible within the ear canal up to larger styles that are easy to manipulate for those who have dexterity issues or arthritis. Each of these hearing aid styles offers a set of benefits and limitations, so our audiologists will be able to guide you through the process of balancing your needs with the offerings of each style.

IIC

The smallest style of hearing aid is Invisible-In-Canal (IIC), inserted deep into the ear canal out of sight entirely. Although these aids are appealing to those who want to keep their assistance low-profile, others may find them difficult to insert and remove.

CIC

Completely-In-Canal (CIC) and In-The-Canal (ITC) models are slightly larger than IIC devices, but they remain easily placed out of sight with all the components contained in a single unit.

ITC

In-the-Canal (ITC) hearing aids are slightly larger than CIC models, but they remain aesthetically appealing due to their low profile. These models are based on a custom earmold that enables wearers to get a snug fit while keeping a size that is manageable to handle. Volume and memory controls can be included in these units, and the batteries are quite small requiring regular replacement.

ITE

In-The-Ear (ITE) hearing aids include an earmold that fits in the outer ear, and this style is attractive to those who have lost some nimbleness in their fingers. The battery replacement process can be simpler in these larger models, as well.

RIC

Beyond these self-contained units, Behind-The-Ear (BTE) and Receiver-In-Canal (RIC/RITE) models include two components that are connected by a tiny tube or wire. One piece of the aid hooks behind the ear and encloses a microphone that is adept at recognizing and capturing speech. The tiny tube or wire is linked to a receiver that sits inside the ear, much like some of the other smaller models. These units offer benefits for sound quality due to the microphone sitting outside the ear canal.

BTE

Beyond these self-contained units, Behind-The-Ear (BTE) and Receiver-In-Canal (RIC/RITE) models include two components that are connected by a tiny tube or wire. One piece of the aid hooks behind the ear and encloses a microphone that is adept at recognizing and capturing speech. The tiny tube or wire is linked to a receiver that sits inside the ear, much like some of the other smaller models. These units offer benefits for sound quality due to the microphone sitting outside the ear canal.

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Hearing Aid Features

Along with these general styles of hearing aids, a wide range of features and technological advancements are available to promote your hearing loss treatment. If any of these features are appealing to you, your consultation with the Hearing Institute of Texas is an opportunity to discuss your lifestyle, individual needs, and the many possibilities that hearing technology affords.

Bluetooth technology has transformed the functionality of hearing aids today. When they are connected to a smartphone application, your hearing aids can transform into earbuds at a simple click. This technology makes it possible to hear a ringer or alerts from your phone, and you can have the audio from a phone call channeled directly to your ears, as well, bypassing the problems created by talking on the phone while wearing hearing aids. This technology also makes it possible to stream audio from your smartphone, media player, computer, or television directly to your aids. Moving fluidly from streaming media to hearing environmental sound is a remarkable benefit in our increasingly connected world.

Another feature of new hearing aids that has transformed the range of services is to offer treatment for tinnitus. This condition of “ringing in the ears,” along with other sounds such as whirring, buzzing, clicking, or roaring, creates a persistent sensation of sound even if there is no sound source in the world.

Some hearing aids today can emit a sound that in effect cancels out the sound of tinnitus, providing the relief of quiet for a person who has been coping with incessant internal noise. The relief from tinnitus can be accompanied by hearing assistance, so those who have both tinnitus and hearing loss can experience a double benefit.

The Process for Getting Hearing Aids

Is it time to take the best step toward better hearing? The hearing aid fitting process may not be as complicated as you think. Here’s what to expect at the Ear Institute of Texas:

A Comprehensive Hearing Evaluation

We begin with an evaluation of your current hearing abilities. During this test, we will determine the exact type and degree of your hearing loss by playing different tones and speech sounds.

Recommendations

After the evaluation, we’ll discuss your results and recommend hearing devices. You might choose a completely-in-the-canal (CIC) model that is virtually invisible, or a behind-the-ear (BTE) model that offers more power and features.

Fitting

The actual fitting involves programming the devices to match your specific prescription. We’ll place the hearing aids in your ears and measure the sound levels near your eardrum to ensure safe and comfortable amplification. Our San Antonio team will also teach you how to insert and remove the devices, adjust the volume, and change the batteries.

Keeping Up with Hearing Aid Maintenance

If you want your hearing devices to stand the test of time, you’ll need to keep up with proper care. Fortunately, hearing aid maintenance is straightforward. Use these guidelines to keep your devices in top shape:

Clean your hearing aids every day with soft, dry cloth. If your devices came with a small brush, use that to gently remove debris from the sound outlet.
At night, store your hearing aids in a cool, dry place. Open the battery door to keep air circulating.
Always remove your hearing aids before showering, swimming, or even using hairspray. Moisture should stay far away from electronic devices!

FAQs About Hearing Devices

Adapting to hearing aids is a gradual process that can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. Your brain needs time to relearn how to process sounds it hasn’t heard clearly in years. Your own voice might sound unusually loud or metallic at first, and background noises like the hum of a refrigerator might seem distracting. Wearing your devices consistently will help your brain adjust faster.

Before you start the hearing aid fitting process, consider how these devices will fit into your lifestyle. Figuring out your needs will help you choose the right ones. For example, if you frequently attend large social gatherings or business meetings, you’ll benefit from advanced directional microphones and noise-reduction features.

You also need to consider your budget, manual dexterity (small batteries can be hard to handle), and whether you want Bluetooth capabilities.

Have Questions?

Our staff is available to take your calls Monday through Friday from 8:00am – 5:00pm. You are also welcome to drop in to set up an appointment during normal office hours. To schedule an initial appointment with one of our audiologists, you may give us a call directly at (210) 696-4327 (HEAR). We look forward to hearing from you! “Better HEARing for a better life.”

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