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Hearing instrument evaluation, selection and service with competitive instrument pricing which includes a 30-day trial period. We offer the latest in digital hearing technology from a wide variety of manufacturers including Widex, Siemens and Phonak. Full service hearing instrument maintenance and repair on all makes and models. Westone earmold impressions for hearing devices, swim plugs, noise protection and musicians’ plugs.
Digital technology includes a digital computer chip that processes information faster, which produces a cleaner, crisper and more natural sound. The instruments are programmed using a computer and allows the audiologist to manipulate the adjustments to more specific needs of the patient. As a patients hearing loss changes, the instruments can be reprogrammed to fit a greater range of need.
Bluetooth technology allows for hearing aids to communicate with Bluetooth devices, such as cell phones and computers, where the information is transmitted directly through the hearing aid.
There are many styles of hearing aids. Each patient’s type and severity of hearing loss, life style determines the hearing aid power requirements and options. Sherri will work hard to choose the aid that best fits your needs.
MIC/IIC (Micro-In-The-Canal) The IIC is designed to be heard and not seen. Despite its small size, the IIC provides clean, sharp and more natural sound – as well as exceptional hearing of soft and distant speech. And because it fits tightly into the ear canal, wearers can make the most of their natural pinna for better localization of sounds which helps determine where sounds are coming from.
CIC (Completely-In-The-Canal)
The CIC is a small model in hearing aids and is especially suitable if you have a mild to moderate hearing loss. It is a custom made shell that contains all the electronic components.
The shell is placed deeply in the ear canal, making the hearing aid almost invisible.
ITC/ITE (IN-The-Canal/ In-The-Ear)
An in-the-ear model (ITE) is suitable if you have a mild to severe hearing loss. The ITE has all its electronic components contained within a plastic shell moulded to fit your ear. The ITE model is placed in the ear canal, but with the faceplate still visible in the concha of your ear. The size - as well as the visibility - of the ITE depends on your degree of hearing loss and the shape of your ear canals. The ITE comes with optional user controls for program and volume change on the outside shell plate.
RIC/RITE (Receiver-In-The-Canal/Receiver-In-The-Ear)
The receiver-in-canal (RIC) model is a newer development in hearing aids and is suitable for mild to severe hearing loss. Compared to a classic behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid, the receiver of the RIC (the loudspeaker) is placed in the ear-tip instead of in the housing, thereby reducing its size.
The RIC model is a very discreet, yet powerful hearing aid, which works fully automatically. Note that the RIC model is quite similar to the RITE model. The difference is the placement of the receiver in the ear.
BTE (Behind-The-Ear) The classic behind-the-ear model (BTE) is the choice if you have a severe hearing loss or if you have very small ear canals, which makes it difficult to fit an entire hearing aid into your ear. All the electronic components of a classic BTE model are located in a housing placed behind your ear. A slim plastic tube with an earmould in the end directs the amplified sound from the hearing aid into your ear. Manual controls for volume and program change are placed on the top side of the hearing aid for easy user access.
We are an official dealer for Westone industrial, musician, swimming custom plugs.
Since 1959, Westone has specialized in custom earplugs and earpieces as well as other products to protect and enhance hearing, facilitate communication, and support hearing care professionals.
Hearing aids need to be comfortable and fit just right, not too tight and not too loose. Do not wear hearing aids if they are causing discomfort or irritations. Contact your hearing professional regarding your problem as soon as possible in order to make appropriate adjustments to the fit of the hearing aid.
When an audiologist makes a recommendation for hearing aid for each ear(binaural), there are often questions in the patients mind about why they need both. We believe Mother Nature had it right the first time. If a person has two ears with hearing loss, and if both ears can benefit from hearing aids, people generally do much better with two hearing aids in most situations.
One of the main reasons audiologists recommend two hearing aids versus one is because the ability to localize sound improves (knowing where the sound came from), which is only possible with two ears and can be the difference between hearing where a warning sound or siren is coming from. Using both ears together impacts how well you hear in noise. Understanding speech clearly, particularly in challenging and noisy situations is much easier using both ears. Using two hearing aids allows people to speak to you from either side of your head, not just your good side.
People generally cannot hear well using only one ear. If you have a hearing loss in both ears and you only wear a hearing aid in one ear, the unaided ear is likely to lose word recognition ability more quickly than the ear wearing the hearing aid.
To protect your hearing aid investment, it is recommended that you schedule an appointment for your hearing aids to be cleaned and checked every three to six months. Our emphasis is to understanding each person’s unique needs and fitting him/her with the hearing system that will serve the best.
It is important for you to remember that hearing aids do not restore normal hearing and are designed to assist you to hear as normally as possible.
Hearing aids work very well once they have been professionally fitted and adjusted to your specific needs. Adjustments made to the hearing aids to achieve maximum performance (fit, comfort, sound quality, etc.) usually takes a few weeks of collaboration and cooperation between the patient and hearing professionals.
People adjust to the hearing aids and learn at different rates. Some people may need a week while some need up to few months to adjust. However, while learning to use the hearing aids, use them in easy and comfortable situations with familiar people in favorable listening environments, such as one-on-one conversations in quiet. After becoming comfortable with the easier situations, work towards more difficult listening situations.
The most common cause of hearing aid failure is earwax accumulation and moisture. The wax problems can be prevented by regularly cleaning your hearing aid and scheduling hearing aid checks with your hearing professional.
Moisture damage can be controlled by using an electronic Dry & Store unit, which absorbs moisture into a dessicant bar by using fans to circulate air around the internal components of the hearing aid and also includes a germicidal light that kills most bacteria and germs. There are three sizes to choose from. Dry-Brix are sold seperately.
WARNING: All hearing aid batteries are toxic and dangerous if swallowed. Keep all batteries away from children and pets.
Most batteries have a life span of 5 – 15 days, depending on the usage of the hearing aid. Once you remove the sticker from the back of the battery, the battery is activated and considered “turned-on”. It helps to open the battery door to your hearing aid while not in use to preserve the life span of the battery. Check with your hearing professional for the battery size you need for your hearing aid if you aren’t sure.
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We offer the most comprehensive aftercare program available so that our patients can get the most out of their hearing aids long after purchase:
