What Are Prescription Hearing Aids?
Prescription hearing aids are medical-grade devices that are programmed by a licensed audiologist to assist individuals with hearing loss. Hearing aids are designed for both children and adults with mild to profound hearing loss. They are fitted based on your hearing test to provide improved access to speech sounds.
At NYOG, we work with the 6 major hearing aid manufacturers: Phonak, Oticon, Signia, Widex, ReSound, and Starkey. All manufactures offer a range of hearing aid styles and features to supply multiple options that can best fit your needs and lifestyle. Hearing devices aim to ease communication with others and reduce background noise in noisy listening environments. Most prescription hearing aids offer features that include rechargeability and connectivity to your smartphone.
Do You Have AI Hearing Aids?
Yes. Most new hearing aids come with artificial intelligence (AI) features, such as deep neural networks. These hearing aids use their advanced processing to lower background noise and enhance your ability to hear speech in different environments. Although not perfect, hearing aids with artificial intelligence can make listening easier.
Types of Hearing Aids
Receiver-in-Canal (RIC)
Receiver-in-canal (RIC/RITE) hearing instruments are worn behind the ear and come with tiny housings(smaller than traditional BTE’s). The receiver is connected to the hearing aid through a thin wire (not much thicker than dental floss)and sitsdirectly in the ear canal. The receivers come in different sizes based on the patients hearing loss and ear diameter. RICs are easily adjusted and are quite commonly referred to as the most comfortable, discreet type of amplification.
Behind-the-Ear (BTE)
BTE hearing aids are among the most flexible and work with the widest range of hearing loss. Directional microphones, multiple listening programs and a tele-coil for compatibility are available for these models. The hearing aid is placed behind your ear and connects to a custom ear mould placed inside your ear. BTE hearing aids are powerful and durable, and among the most popular hearing devices. They can be fitted on the day of the hearing test, based on your diagnosis and prescription.
Invisible-in-the-Canal (IIC)
Like CIC’s, these cosmetically discreet instruments are custom made to fit inside your ear canal. However, IIC devices sit deeper (beyond the second bend of the canal). Because they’re deeper in the ear, they’re not at all apparent and typically come in shades to mimic the shadows of the ear.
In the Ear (ITE)
ITE hearing aids are custom-made from an impression of your ear canal, and have no visible wires or tubes. ITEs are placed inside the ear, are lightweight and less visible than BTE devices. These devices are commonly used for those with a moderate hearing loss.
In the Canal (ITC)
ITCs are custom-fitted and placed inside the ear canal. There are no wires and sound is funneled through the hearing aid for clarity. ITCs are appropriate for mild to severe hearing loss. The size of the ear may limit use of this type of device.
Completely in the Canal (CIC)
With CICs, the entire hearing aid is placed deep inside the ear canal, making them the least visible. CICs are custom fitted to the wearer’s ear canal, are very small in size and are almost invisible. They sit very close to the eardrum, which helps improve sound quality and reduce echoing.
What to Expect
While a hearing aid won’t restore normal hearing, it can help you hear many previously unnoticed sounds, like the ticking of a clock. Initially, sounds may feel unnatural, but as your brain adjusts, they will become more familiar. This adjustment period usually lasts a few weeks, but it can extend up to a few months. Hearing aids can be custom-fitted for comfort, and occasional adjustments may be needed to maintain the perfect fit as hearing loss progresses. Most people adapt to the process of relearning to hear over time.
Fine-Tuning Your Hearing Aids
Personalized Fitting
The fitting process involves customizing your hearing aids to meet your specific needs.
Multiple Sessions
This usually occurs over several sessions as you wear the devices in different environments.
Expert Guidance
Your audiologist will provide information on available options and technical aspects, helping you choose the best solution for your hearing needs.
Feedback Matters
Your input is crucial for your hearing care professional to make necessary adjustments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Prescription hearing aids are medical-grade devices programmed by licensed audiologists to assist individuals with hearing loss. They are designed for both children and adults with mild to profound hearing loss and are fitted based on hearing tests to improve access to speech sounds.
Yes, most new hearing aids come with AI features such as deep neural networks. These advanced processing technologies help reduce background noise and enhance speech understanding in various listening environments, making it easier to hear, although they are not perfect.
There are several types of hearing aids including Receiver-in-Canal (RIC), Behind-the-Ear (BTE), Invisible-in-the-Canal (IIC), In the Ear (ITE), In the Canal (ITC), and Completely in the Canal (CIC). Each type varies in size, placement, visibility, and suitability depending on the degree of hearing loss and personal preference.
Initially, hearing aids may make sounds feel unnatural, but as your brain adjusts over a few weeks to months, these sounds become more familiar. Hearing aids help you hear many previously unnoticed sounds and can be custom-fitted for comfort, with occasional adjustments needed as hearing loss progresses.
The fitting process is personalized and involves multiple sessions where the hearing aids are adjusted to meet your specific needs. Your audiologist provides expert guidance and makes adjustments based on your feedback to ensure the best hearing experience in different environments.
NYOG works with six major hearing aid manufacturers: Phonak, Oticon, Signia, Widex, ReSound, and Starkey. These manufacturers offer a variety of styles and features to suit different needs and lifestyles.
Yes, most prescription hearing aids offer connectivity features that allow them to connect to smartphones. This enables users to stream audio directly to their hearing aids and control settings conveniently through their mobile devices.