Styles of Hearing Aids
Modern hearing aids come in many options. The style best for you may depends on your ear anatomy, hearing loss, and dexterity. Many are nearly invisible. Many options are rechargeable as well.
Receiver-in-canal (with wire)
Behind-the-ear (with tubing)
Completely-in-canal
In-the-ear
Manufacturers of Hearing Aids
At Appalachian Audiology, we partner with hearing aid manufacturers who place their emphasis on high-quality hearing in noise, reliability, and simplicity of use. Here are some of the devices we have been recommending:
Phonak Infinio
Phonak has been manufacturing hearing aids in Switzerland since 1947. Their latest release in 2024 is the Infinio platform. It will be available in rechargeable receiver-in-the-canal styles and custom in-the-canal styles (pending release in late 2024). The flagship model is the Infino Sphere rechargeable receiver-in-the-canal model which boasts two on-board computer chips with speech in noise enhancement using Artificial Intelligence (AI) learning.
The Infinio generation offers several great features:
Autosense OS: This automatic program classifies the incoming sounds and changes the equalizer, noise reduction and directionality based on your environment.
Speech enhancer: Rather than just reducing competing noise, these hearing aids actively increase speech signals
Premium levels include echo reduction in reverberant rooms and motion sensor hearing
Universal hands free connectivity with all Bluetooth phones
Water resistance coating - These aids are tested to perform beyond the IP 68 water resistance standard
Signia Integrated Experience (IX)
Signia hearing aids, formerly known as Siemens Hearing Instruments released the Integrated Experience (IX) platform in 2023. Signia hearing aids are available in receiver in the canal and in-the-ear styles. Notable features include:
Division of speech and noise processing into two different circuits
Own Voice Processing: These hearing aids can be trained to identify your own voice, making it sound more natural
Variety of tinnitus treatment options
Rechargeable completely-in-the-canal & slim-RIC option provide additional style choices
Hands free connectivity with Apple iOS products and audio streaming from ASHA-enabled android devices. These devices are Bluetooth Low Energy Audio and Auracast ready.
Oticon Intent
Oticon was formed by the Demant family in Denmark and their most recent receiver-in-canal hearing aid, Intent, was released in 2024.
Sound quality based on understanding of how the brain processes sound
Deep neural network sound training to help separate speech versus noise
Hands free connectivity with Apple iOS products and audio streaming from ASHA-enabled android devices. These devices are Bluetooth Low Energy Audio and Auracast ready.
Resound Nexia
The roots of Resound come from a hearing first first made in Denmark in 1947. Resound’s lastest product, Nexia, was released 2023 and is available in receiver in the canal and custom in-the-canal style options.
Smaller than ever rechargeable behind-the-ear design
Binaural Directionality: Uses the microphones on both hearing aids for directional enhancement
MaRIE microphones: An optional third microphone placed at the entrance to the ear canal
Increased input dynamic range for better music appreciation
Longest rechargeable battery life and premium charger contains a built-in battery to charge for 3-5 days without plugging in
Hands free connectivity with Apple iOS products and audio streaming from ASHA-enabled android devices. Enabled with Bluetooth Low Energy and Auracast
Other Manufacturers
We can also provide service & repairs, second opinion adjustments on devices from Unitron, Widex, and Starkey. We offer custom ear plugs, swimmer’s molds, and musician’s ear molds from Westone & Phonak.
Features in Modern Hearing Aids
These aren't your grandfather's hearing aids! In fact, today's hearing aids routinely win "best-in-show" awards at the International Consumer Electronics show, even when in head-to-head competition with all other electronic devices. Features of modern hearing aid technology include:
Significant noise reduction
Signia, Phonak and Resound offer the best noise reduction in the hearing aid industry. This is achieved through a combination of noise cancellation, directional microphones, and filter band specific automatic volume changes. Hearing aids adjust quickly enough that they can even muffled sudden loud sounds such as a door slamming to help ensure comfort while wearing the devices.
Rechargeability
Simple to use chargers allow you to store the hearing aids overnight and recharge at the same time. One single charge allows for a full days use through new Lithium Ion technology.
Water-resistant, dustproof, shock-proof casing
Enjoy an active lifestyle without the fear of damaging your hearing aids
Automatic volume controls
Hearing aids analyze the situation around you and make changes to the filtering and volume reducing the need to “push buttons”
Wireless connection to telephones, TVs, computers, and tablets
Hear a smartphone or handheld device in both hearing aids for greater speech understanding. TV Streamers promote the clarity of the television as the audio is wirelessly streamed to both hearing aids
Tinnitus Treatment Programming
Experience relief from the symptoms of tinnitus and decreased hearing
Personal access to adjust hearing aids using a smartphone
Adjust the hearing instruments using your mobile device. You can even teach the hearing aid personal listening preferences
Wind Noise Reduction
Golf and enjoy outdoor activities without the distraction of wind noise in wind speeds ranging from 10 - 30 mph
Automatic programming for car travel
Reduce car and traffic noise to pick up voices from any location within the vehicle (including the back seat)
Hearing the caller's voice in both ears while conversing on a land line phone
"Duo-Phone" technology sends the caller's voice to each ear when conversing on the phone
Feedback Cancellation
Hearing aids do not whistle. You should be able to hug friends and family members without drawing attention to your hearing aid.
Frequency Compression
Shift and compress high frequency energy to promote speech intelligibility and natural sound quality
"Invisible" Hearing Aids
Discreet solutions for those reluctant to purchase hearing aids for cosmetic reasons