The Hearing Aid Selection Process
The Basics: How a Hearing Instrument Works
All hearing instruments are not created equal. However the more advanced models have certain basic things in common. A simple explanation is that they let you hear sounds that you are missing. In short they will help you hear better and the most advanced ones will help you hear as naturally as possible.
| Two microphones to pick up sound(and help focus in on desirable sounds) | 
| A programmable amplifier to make the sound louder | 
| A miniature loud speaker called a receiver that sends the amplified sound into the ear for you to hear | 
| A tip or mold that goes into the ear, or an individual shell for custom instruments | 
| A tiny battery that runs the instrument |
Binaural Processing Sets Oticon Hearing Instruments Apart
The brain is "wired" to expect information from both sides of the head. If you have a hearing loss in both ears, two hearing instruments will almost always be the best choice.
In fact your hearing will be more natural because your brain will receive the information it needs to interpret in difficult listening situations. Compared to one instrument, the overall sound quality and comfort from two is usually better. The most natural sound quality and best hearing performance results from a new technology called binaural processing. Your two hearing instruments actually communicate to one another by sharing information through a wireless sound stream. Oticon introduced "spatial sound" technology to help you better organize, localize and respond to sound. Binaural processing helps you interpret speech in noisy surroundings as it adjusts for subtle volume differences on both sides of your head. This superior technology also includes a very wide bandwidth, meaning more key sounds reach your brain. You will have a better sense of where the sound is coming from and it will be easier to understand what people are saying.
How to know what's right for you
Choosing your hearing instrument is the first step to success. There are 3 basic elements to this decision:
- Your design and style preferences
- Your communication needs and hearing abilities
- Other individual preferences and issues including financial matters
You are going to make this decision with expert advice. It is important to share your needs and preferences with your hearing care professional and together you will arrive at a solution that is best for you. Hearing care professionals are accustomed to guiding this discussion and help you make the right choice.
Design and Style
People have preferences about how hearing instruments should look, feel and operate.
This is often the first thing people think about when they decide to purchase a hearing solution. After all, when something is worn on the body, it is a personal experience, and cosmetics are an important consideration. Hearing instrument manufacturers and hearing care professionals have been listening to the public. The result: choices that satisfy people more than ever before. Research into people's preferences has produced new hearing instruments that look better than ever, without compromising performance.
Choose Your Style:
Behind-the-ear (BTE) Behind-the-ear (BTE) instruments by far the most popular solution and make up a large percentage of hearing instruments fit today. They are worn behind they are and are smaller and more attractive than ever and sound better. There are two styles of BTE instruments- one where the receiver (speaker) is in the ear canal (RITE), or one where the receiver is inside the instrument (ear hook). 
Receiver in the Ear (RITE) All RITE solutions have their electronics, battery and microphone inside a casing worn behind the ear. An ultra thin, sculpted wire carries the amplified sound to a speaker that fits in the ear canal. RITE Advantages - Superior cosmetics,
- More natural sound quality
- Comfortable open fitting
Receiver-in-the-Ear technology works well for hearing losses mild to severe. 
BTE with Ear Hook BTEs with ear hooks are connected to the ear canal via plastic tubing. The tubing is attached to an ear mold which is custom made from an ear impression to perfectly replicate the size and shape of your ear. Most BTEs with ear hooks can be fitted with a very cosmetically appealing thin tube solution. BTE with ear hook advantages - Flexible physical fit options
- Accommodates super power needs
- Best choice for young children
Custom Custom hearing instruments range in size from the smallest CIC (Completely In the Canal) to the slightly larger ITC (In The Canal) to the HS/ITE (Half-Shell or fully In The Ear). All of the working parts are contained within a single unit which is custom-molded to the ear. A choice of colors is available to best match individual skin tone. 
Whether you prefer a RITE style with a non-traditional design, a behind the ear or a custom version, there are a wide variety of choices available. It is important that you communicate your preferences to your hearing care professional. If you like the way they look, you will feel more comfortable about wearing them and will be not only satisfied but enthusiastic.
|
