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 Lumity
Phonak has been manufacturing hearing aids in Switzerland since 1947. Their latest release in 2022 is called the Lumity and is available in a rechargeable receiver-in-the-canal style in both a traditional shape and a slim model.
The Lumity offers several great features:
Autosense 5.0: This is your automatic program which classifies the incoming sounds and changes the equalizer, noise reduction and directionality based on your environment.
StereoZoom: Uses the microphones on both hearing aids to give you better than ever directional enhancement in noisy situations
Premium levels of the Lumity also include echo reduction in reverberant rooms and motion sensor hearing
Universal hands free connectivity with all Bluetooth phones
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 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
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 a receiver-in-canal style.
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
Other Manufacturers
We can also provide service & repairs, second opinion adjustments on devices from Oticon, Unitron, Starkey and Widex. We offer custom ear plugs, swimmer’s molds, and musician’s ear molds from Westone.
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, tablets, and iPods®
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
