Your guide to hearing aids

Types of Hearing Aids

There are many different styles and types of hearing aids which can be confusing. These range from discrete hearing aids that no-one will know you are wearing to rechargeable devices packed with features.

At Neurosensory, your audiologist will guide you in selecting the right hearing device based on your hearing loss, lifestyle, listening goals and budget.

Hearing Aid Features

All modern hearing aids have mini-computer chips that offer amazing benefits including:

Fully Automatic and Easy to Use – Put them on and forget them! In a split second a modern hearing aid will determine the type of situation you are and adjust the features, settings and volume needed for optimal hearing. You can go about your day without needing to worry.
Improved Hearing and Understanding in Noisy Situations – The hearing aid will know when you enter a noisy café or meeting room and will automatically turn on the features and microphones ideally suited to this environment.
Sleek Design – Modern hearing aids look stylish and are superbly comfortable. In addition, there is the option of completely invisible aids.
Bluetooth – Phone calls are streamed directly to hearing aids providing clarity and ease of use. There is no need to hold the phone or fiddle with buttons; it all works seamlessly. You can also choose to stream music, podcasts, radio and audio books from either your tablet or phone.
Rechargeable – Simply pop the hearing aids in their sleek charger at night and they will provide a full day of hearing. There will never be a need to change a battery. This is great for both peace of mind and the environment.
Apps – If you are the type of person who likes a little more control your audiologist will download a hearing aid app. This will allow you to fine-tune settings and personalise your listening experience.
TV Connector – This is often included with your new hearing aids at Neurosensory. It plugs into the back of your TV and will provide an extraordinary listening experience. Others in the room will hear the TV at their preferred volume whilst you will enjoy your favourite shows streamed directly to your aids.
Waterproof – For those with an active lifestyle this is a perfect option.

Receiver-in-the-Canal Hearing Aids

This is the most popular type of hearing aid because it is discreet, comfortable and packed with features all contained in a tiny but amazing computer chip. The body of the hearing aid sits discreetly behind the ear and connects via a wire to a small dome that inserts in the ear. It has all the features listed above including the ability to stream phone calls and TV shows directly to the aids, automatic adjustment and improved hearing in noise. In addition, the hearing aids are rechargeable and settings can be personalised via an app.

These aids are easy to use, robust and reliable with a waterproof option for the active user. They are suitable for most levels and types of hearing loss. Pop them on in the morning and forget them; the only thing you will notice is improved hearing and seamless connection with your phone, TV and/or tablet.

Invisible Hearing Aids

Invisible aids are designed for those who want a discrete style that no-one will see. The technical terms for these are completely-in-the-canal (CIC) or invisible-in-the-canal (IIC) hearing aid. The audiologist will take an impression of your ear so that they fit perfectly in your canal and well out of sight. They are very easy to use, don’t have parts, and perform well in most situations. There is even the choice of a titanium invisible hearing aid; titanium is extremely strong but also very light allowing for a smaller aid.

This type of aid uses disposable batteries and doesn’t have Bluetooth capability, however most users find that they hear well on the phone holding it against their ear. The aids are suitable for most levels and types of hearing loss. Pop them on in the morning and forget them

In-the-ear Hearing Aids

In-the-ear hearing aids are cleverly designed to look like wireless earphones. They have all the features listed above including the ability to stream phone calls and TV shows directly to the aids, automatic adjustment and improved hearing in noise. In addition, the settings can be personalised via an app. The audiologist will take an impressions of your ears which will be used to manufacture the aids resulting in a perfect fit. They are very easy to use and are suitable for most levels and types of hearing loss.

Benefits of Wearing Hearing Aids

There are numerous benefits to wearing modern hearing aids including:

Delay in cognitive decline, developing dementia and/or progression of dementia symptoms.
Ability to engage and have more fun at social gatherings.
Enjoyment of TV without the need to increase the volume or rely on subtitles for clarity.
Ability to hear and participate in conversation with friends and family.
Engagement with the latest technology allowing music, podcasts, radio, TV and calls to be streamed directly to both ears.
Independence and less reliance on family members.
Awareness of alerting signals such as cars coming from behind.
Ability to hear the phone ring and understand the speaker.
Improved functioning in the workplace.

Should I Wear One or Two Hearing Aids?

With exception of people who have a hearing loss in only one ear, it is highly recommended to wear hearing aids on both ears. In doing so the brain is able to mimic the benefits of binaural (2 sided- hearing). These include:

Less interference from background noise in situations such as cafes, meetings and at family gatherings.
Less listening strain and fatigue.
Superior ability to locate where sounds and speech are coming from.
Ability to hear TV and phone calls in both ears resulting in improved understanding.

How to Choose a Hearing Aid that is Right for You

There is an abundance of information on the internet which is often confusing and overwhelming. To break through this, we suggest that you book an appointment with an audiologist at Neurosensory. They will conduct a comprehensive hearing assessment and discuss options for you based on your individual needs. You can even trial a device for a week. There will be no hard sell and no “smokes and mirrors”. You will be empowered to make an informed decision and if you go ahead with hearing aids we offer a 60 day return period for total peace of mind.

There’s more to wearing a hearing aid than just improved sound. If you think you may have a hearing loss, or someone you may know may have a hearing loss – make an appointment to see one of our Audiologists. Neurosensory has helped thousands of people with their hearing, just like you, and we are passionate about every client’s outcomes.

At Neurosensory, we believe everyone deserves to have their five senses and to be able to interact and to be able to interact with the world around them.