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Hearing Aid Types

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Hearing Aid Types

The smallest, least visible model is the Completely-in-the-Canal. It fits deep inside your ear, where it's hidden in the shadow of your ear canal.
The In-the-Canal hearing aid is small enough to fit almost entirely in your ear canal, occupying about one quarter of the ear to reduce its visibility significantly.
The In-the-Ear model is a one-piece aid custom designed to fit inconspicuously within the outer portion of your ear. It is the most widely recommended hearing aid style.
The Behind-the-Ear model fits snugly behind your ear, and is attached to a custom earpiece molded to the shape of your outer ear. It is designed for a wide range of hearing loss.

Circuit Design and Capabilities

The technical choices in current hearing aids allow the consumer a variety of options. There are approximately 600 models of circuit designs with digital programming and digital processing capabilities, in addition to many non-digital circuit designs. These circuit choices can be categorized into seven technologies.

1. LINEAR CIRCUITS - These make all sounds louder.
2. TRADITIONAL COMPRESSION - These soften some loud sounds when they occur.
3. ADVANCED COMPRESSION - There are many special circuits to make hearing aids more comfortable. Your specialist will guide you.
4. ADVANCED DESIGN NON-DIGITAL - These are unique newer more complex circuits that may be "automatic" (i.e. no volume wheel necessary).
5. DIGITAL PROGRAMMABLE - These higher technology circuits have 1-13 adjustable bands of compression. Often they are automatic and use computers to program different listening environments. Some models use remote controls to provide more direct client control.
6. 100% DIGITAL (DSP) - DSP stands for Digital Signal Processing, audio sounds are digitized and then processed. These types of hearing aids use computers for the fitting process. They contain computer chips within the hearing aid for further processing.
7. DEEP CANAL CIRCUIT - For maximum benefit this circuit depends upon the placement of the hearing aid near the eardrum, which changes the performance of this type of hearing aid.
   

Blue Bell Hearing Aid Center, Inc.

Home Page | Hearing Evaluation | Hearing Services | Additional Services

821 N. Bethlehem Pike
P.O. Box 619
Spring House, PA  19477
(215) 641-1317
alicia@heargal.com

Serving Ambler, Blue Bell, Center Square, Dresher, East Norriton,
Fort Washington, Gwynedd, Hatboro, Horsham, Kulpsville, Lansdale,
Maple Glen, Montgomeryville, North Wales, Roslyn,
Spring House, Willow Grove, and other Eastern Montgomery County Pennsylvania communities.