Hearing Aids at Sonant Hearing Clinic, Rochester, Kent
Hearing Aids at Sonant Hearing Clinic, Rochester, Kent
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What are Hearing Aids?
What are Hearing Aids?
Hearing Aids are medical devices which when programmed aim to amplify sounds at specific levels and frequencies in order to restore audibility and clarity.
Correctly programmed aids will not damage one’s hearing but enhance one’s hearing. In the past, aids were seen as basic amplifiers, but presently they house not only advanced amplifiers but more sophisticated technology including micro-processors using artificial intelligence (AI), dynamic feedback cancellation processes, automatically adjusting microphones, noise-cancelling algorithms, falls detectors, heart rate trackers and step counters!
Why use an Audiologist at Sonant Hearing for Hearing aids
Why use an Audiologist at Sonant Hearing for Hearing aids
Our role is to help you find the best hearing technology for your specific circumstance. Each solution is considered carefully in terms of your hearing loss, lifestyle, preference, budget and capability.
This ensures that a personalised solution is always offered to you. Once chosen we offer British Society of Audiology (BSA) recommended best practice measures in programing up the hearing aids for each individual’s loss. This includes performing real-ear measurements which verify what the hearing aid is doing, hearing aid feedback calibration measurements and peer-reviewed evidence based prescription formulas.
Once a solution is chosen, we offer an aural rehabilitation program to help you adapt to your hearing solution over time at your pace. The audiologist continues periodically to ensure that the hearing aid and your prescription is working best to meet your needs by reviewing your auditory needs every year.
Types of Hearing Aids
Types of Hearing Aids
Receiver in the canal Hearing Aids (RIC)
Receiver in the canal Hearing Aids (RIC)
The receiver in the canal (RIC) hearing aid is the most popular style of all hearing aids. The RIC hearing aid covers the largest range of losses from mild hearing losses to severe hearing losses. The RIC can be coupled with smaller domes for mild losses and custom earmoulds for profound losses requiring lots of power. Some models are waterproof. The RIC body can be very small in size or long and slim to sit better behind the ear with glass frames. They are often packed full of features and built to cover a wider range of budgets, with processing features added, reduced or removed.
Custom Hearing Aids
Custom Hearing Aids
Invisible in the canal hearing aid (IIC)
Invisible in the canal hearing aid (IIC)
these are minute and sit deep within the ear canal. Features like bluetooth and rechargeability can be limited due to the smaller size of the shell. Battery is usually a size 10. Good dexterity is recommended for easier insertion, removal and battery changing. They are not visible to most, these are one of the most discreet types of hearing aids.
Completely in the canal hearing aid (CIC)
Completely in the canal hearing aid (CIC)
these are slightly larger than the IIC. Often limited in features but not as much as IIC.Battery size usually size 10. They can come with program/memory or volume buttons built in. Appearance is also discreet.
Half Shell In The Ear Hearing Aid (ITE )
Half Shell In The Ear Hearing Aid (ITE )
these can be half shell (pictured black) or full shell (pictured pink), depending on how much of the “concha” (the c-shaped enclosure within the ear) is filled. They have larger batteries and are easier for those with dexterity concerns to handle. These can be rechargeable or use disposable batteries.The battery size is a slightly larger size 13 or size 312. They can house additional features like bluetooth connectivity and rechargeable batteries. Some are shaped and coloured to look like fashionable “apple air-pods”.
Full Shell In The Ear Hearing Aid (ITE)
Full Shell In The Ear Hearing Aid (ITE)
Behind The Ear Hearing Aids (BTE)
Behind The Ear Hearing Aids (BTE)
One of the original styles of hearing aids. The Behind the ear hearing aids is one of the most powerful styles of hearing aids. The BTE hearing aid is able to manage most severe to profound losses. The BTE hearing aid is usually packed with power and features to enhance connectivity to other audio devices such as the classic telecoil (Induction loop) and bluetooth. Some brands are rechargeable. They work best coupled with custom earmoulds.
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