Finding the Right Device at your Local Hearing Center

Your local hearing center is the place to stop by when you begin to have a hard time hearing your spouse as he or she talks to you during dinner! Find out what's causing the problem with your ears and find some state-of-the-art solutions which can restore your dinner conversation to a smooth pattern uninterrupted by requests for repeating missed sentences. Hearing Aid Choices The specialists at your local hearing center will be able to suggest devices, which will both, fit your preferences and help to enhance your ability to hear. If you prefer a less visible option, a Completely-In-The-Ear model may work for you. This style fits deeply within your ear canal, making it virtually impossible to see from the outside. A more visible In-The-Canal model can provide some aesthetic value along with extra features such as volume control and directional microphones. Some devices sit in the bowl-shaped outer part of the ear. These are custom-fit and molded to fill either the bottom half or the whole outer ear, so they may prove to be more comfortable than the inner ear models. Both these provide extra features and larger batteries which may prove to last longer than their small, but less visible counterparts. Finally, you can choose a device, which sits behind your ear and feeds amplified sound to your ear canal through a small tube. These models are definitely visible, but they are very effective for a wide variety of problems. Special Features Some patients require special features that will enhance the use of their devices. The hearing center staff can help to accommodate these requests as they help you to choose your device. Directional Microphones - Since they are aligned to pick up sounds, which are coming from in front of you, they will help to eliminate some background noise and allow you to focus on your conversation with the person in front of you. Telephone Adapters - Telecoil technology is designed to make it easier for you to focus on your telephone conversations by greatly reducing the sounds from your environment. Some models automatically switch when you hold the phone up to your ear while others require the manual flip of a switch. Either way, this option provides many benefits for your telephone conversations. Bluetooth Technology - New technology allows some models to pick up sounds from Bluetooth devices, allowing you to carry on a phone conversation without having to hold the phone to your ear. Remote Controls - Some hearing aids feature remote control options for controlling volume, noise reduction, and even directional microphones. The remote control technology allows you to adjust these items without ever touching the device or removing it from your ear. Finding the Right Model and Extra Features The staff at your local hearing center will be able to explain the advantages and disadvantages found for each model and special features. Based on your personal preferences as well as your type of hearing loss, your doctor will be able to help you find a device which best suits your needs.