Hearing Aid Information

What is Hearing Loss?

Hearing loss is different for every person. Hearing loss can be a result of any or all issues relating to the outer, the middle and the inner ear.

Types of Hearing Loss:

Conductive Hearing Loss
Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Mixed Hearing Loss

The degree and configuration of each individual hearing loss can vary per person.

Over the Counter Hearing Aids vs. Prescription Hearing Aids

Over-the-Counter (OTC) Hearing Aids do not require or involve a hearing evaluation or professional fitting. While this option seems convenient, they are designed for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss - and even then, results can vary. Without proper diagnosis or support, users may struggle with comfort, effectiveness and long-term satisfaction.

Prescription Hearing Aids are recommended and fitted by licensed hearing healthcare professionals - Hearing Aid Specialist and Audiologist, following a hearing evaluation. These devices can meet needs of people across the spectrum of hearing ability.

Hearing Aid Styles:

Behind the Ear (BTE): The main body part sits behind the ear, with a thin or thick tube attached to an earmold. The earmold directs sound into the ear canal.
Receiver in Canal (RIC) / Receiver in the Ear (RITE): Similar to BTE, instead a receiver with a speaker box sits in the ear canal. The speaker box can have a dome or an earmold attached for comfort and retention.
In the Ear (ITE): Custom molded hearing aid to fit partly inside the ear canal and the concha bowl of the ear. Can vary in size.
Completely in Canal (CIC): Custom molded hearing aid that sits deep in the ear canal. This device is nearly invisible.
Invisible in Canal (IIC): The smallest custom molded hearing aid and is the most discreet style. Fits deep within the ear canal and is "invisible" to others.

What Happens at a Hearing Healthcare Visit

When visiting a licensed hearing healthcare provider, patients can expect:

Health and Hearing History - discussing lifestyle, medical background and hearing challenges.
Hearing Evaluation - provider will check your ear canal with an otoscope and preform a hearing test (pure tone testing and speech testing)
Results & Recommendations - provider will explain your hearing evaluation results and discuss next steps which may include hearing aids, assistive devices, communication skill, sound management tools and/or a referral to a physician.