Hearing Aid Models For Specific Conditions

There are several models of hearing aids designed to help the ear's ability to hear in noise and cope with tinnitus.  There are also several hearing devices that can stream the volume of the television and phone directly to the hearing instruments.  Here are a few examples.

Hearing better in noise while streaming phone and television volume to your hearing aids:

Phonak's Audeo Smart IX

Ideal for hearing in noise, Phonak's Audeo Smart IX is a newer hearing aid with bluetooth connectivity.  It features Zoom technology which allows the wearer to enhance their hearing in challenging, noisy environments.  It also features the ability to stream phone and television volume directly to the hearing aids through the use of a necklace streamer.

Learn more about Phonak's Audeo Smart hearing aids.

Hear better in noise while streaming phone and television volume to your hearing aids- without using a necklace streamer:

GN Resound Alera 9

One of the key features of the Alera is the built in streamer technology.  This feature allows you to stream the volume of your cell phone and television directly to your hearing aids without wearing a necklace streamer.  However, this hearing aid does not feature Zoom technology.

Learn more about GN Resound's Alera hearing aids.  

Hear better in noise, stream the volume of your television and phone, and never worry about the hassle of changing batteries: 

Siemens Pure 701

Siemens Pure series automatically adjusts volume and program settings to match your surroundings, so your hearing experience is completely customized.  Also, as the only rechargeable hearing device on the market, you rarely have to change the rechargeable batteries.  Using Siemens Tek, you can also stream the volume of your television and phone to your hearing aids.

Learn more about Siemens Pure hearing aids.

A Hearing Aid that helps mask tinnitus:

Widex Mind Series

This model of hearing aid features what the manufacturer calls a "Zen" program.  The Zen program is a dedicated relaxation feature used to mask the symptoms of tinnitus by producing a range of harmonic tones. 

Learn more about Widex Mind hearing aids.

 

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The Two Most Common Reasons Hearing Aids Malfunction and What You Can Do About It

When a hearing aid malfunctions, it's usually for one of two reasons:

--Moisture

--Wax build up

It is critically important to dehumidify your hearing instrument on a nightly basis.  Often times, the hearing device will malfunction if moisture builds up inside the casing.  To ensure this doesn't happen, place your hearing instruments in a Dry and Store or Dry Spot dehumidifier each night before you go to bed.  Each patient who purchases hearing instruments through Appalachian Audiology automatically receives a Dry Spot dehumidifier.

If your hearing aid suddenly stops working, it could be due to wax buildup.  Each hearing aid should come with common tools used to keep the aids minimally cleaned.  If your hearing device is equipped with a wax trap, by changing the wax trap, it will most likely cause the hearing aid to resume its normal function.  Our offices are equipped with more complex tools used specifically to clean hearing aids, remove excess wax build up, and change out wax traps.  If you purchased your hearing instruments through Appalachian Audiology, free lifetime service is included in the purchase price of the hearing aids.
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The Difference Between Hearing Aid Dealers and Audiologists

We frequently receive questions from patients who are trying to understand the difference between hearing aid dealers and clinical audiologists.  Dr. Robert Glaser, former President of The American Academy of Audiology, details the differences between Hearing Aid Dealers and Clinical Audiologists the following way: 

Hearing aid dealers specialize in the measurement and testing of human hearing by means of an audiometer for the purpose of selecting, adapting and selling a hearing aid to any person.  Hearing Aid Dealers are limited to testing hearing solely for the purposes of fitting hearing aids. Unlike Audiologists, they may not engage in, nor are they trained to complete diagnostic hearing or balance examinations nor participate in the assessment of patients with tinnitus.

An audiologist has completed a minimum of 350 patient care hours obtained in an accredited college or university program, and spent one year as an extern with a clinical audiologist.  A clinical audiologist is  skilled in the planning, directing, supervising, and conducting of habilitative or rehabilitative counseling programs for individuals who have been diagnosed or are suspected of having disorders of hearing.  This includes assistive listening device evaluation, selection, preparation, dispensing, and orientation.  It also includes the fabricating of ear molds, providing auditory training, and administering tests of vestibular function and tinnitus. Audiologists are uniquely qualified and trained to identify a wide variety of pathology and underlying medical conditions of the hearing and balance systems and to refer these cases for appropriate medical or surgical treatment.

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For more from Dr. Glaser, click here.