We also actively participate in the prevention of hearing loss through the provision and fitting of hearing protective devices, consultation on the effects of noise on hearing, and consumer education.
Assessments regarding the level of amplification that would be best suited to our clients are generally completed following a comprehensive hearing evaluation by our Certified Audiologist.
Modern hearing aids are true miracles of technology they come in flexible forms, colors, styles and offer a wide range of functions and variety. Your hearing care professional at Audiphone Company of Akron will help you make the choice that is perfect for you. We will consider your hearing needs, your budget, your lifestyle and your individual hearing preferences.
There are two basic types of hearing aids:
1.) Custom models (ITE or ITC and CIC models)
These models are made specifically to fit the shape of your ear canal for maximum benefit and the best possible comfort. They are available in many skin tones, are unobtrusive and very effective. The smallest versions sit in your ear canal and are virtually invisible. These models are suitable for mild to severe hearing loss.
- ITE (In-The-Ear)
The ITE hearing aids are the largest of the custom made hearing aids. They can be fit in a wide range of clients, from mild to severe hearing losses. Because of the size they are much easier to build than the smaller custom hearing aids.
- ITC (In-The-Canal)
The ITC hearing aids are the next smallest custom made hearing aids. They are visible, however smaller than the ITE hearing aids. They are more difficult to build because they are smaller and the placement of the electronics takes more time.
- CIC (Completely-In-The-Canal)
CIC hearing aids have many benefits besides being barely visible. They are the smallest of the custom made hearing aids. The electronics in the CIC hearing aids are miniaturized to the smallest possible size and carefully placed by hand in the tiny shell. They are much more difficult to make than the other custom made hearing aids.
2.) Behind-the-ear models (BTE and CRT models)
Behind The Ear Hearing Aids (BTE) are available for all degrees of hearing loss and, as the name suggests, can be worn comfortably behind the ear. Incoming signals are amplified and transmitted into the ear via very small, unobtrusive tubes.
These models are available in many different colors, styles and designs. This type of hearing aid leaves the ear “open” and reduces problems with occlusion (stuffy or barrel feeling) leading to more natural sounding amplification. Our Behind The Ear Hearing Aids come in two versions.
- BTE (Behind-The-Ear)
The Standard BTE hearing aids are the largest of the custom made hearing aids. They can be fit in a wide range of clients, from mild to severe hearing losses. Our standard BTE uses a very small diameter tubing in the ear. The microphone, amplifier/digital processor, and receiver (speaker) are housed in the hearing aid and the sound is pushed through the thin tube and delivered into the ear canal. This style is easy to maintain because there is not a delicate electric part of the hearing aid inside the ear canal.
- CRT (Canal-Receiver-Technology)
The other version of BTE is with the receiver in the ear or canal receiver technology (CRT). This style looks almost identical to the other except that the speaker is separated from the hearing aid. This is accomplished by running a thin wire from the hearing aid down through the thin tubing and connecting it to a small receiver that fits into the ear canal. The only drawback to the CRT style is increased repairs due to moisture or wax damaging the receiver. People with known moisture or wax problems should not wear the CRT style. An advantage to this style is a wider range of hearing losses can now be fit with the availability of having the option of different “power” receivers.
Todays hearing aids offer a wide range of functions and variety. Don’t let the wide selection overwhelm you when choosing a hearing aid. Audiphone Company of Akron your hearing care professional in Akron, Ohio will help you make the choice that is perfect for you. We will consider your hearing needs, your budget, your lifestyle and your individual hearing preferences.
Not sure about the state of your hearing? Take our brief hearing questionnaire to get an idea of whether you’re experiencing hearing loss that needs to be evaluated by a medical professional. The questions relate to everyday listening situations where many people with hearing losses experience difficulties hearing clearly. Click here to take our hearing questionnaire.
