A person with hearing loss which cannot be surgically or medically corrected is rehabilitated with amplification devices. Hearing aids are amplification devices which serve to amplify the acoustic signal to a level which is audible to the hearing-impaired listener. Hearing aids do not restore hearing ability but they boost up the signal so that the hearing impaired listener is able to use up his/ her residual hearing to hear the amplified signal. Though initially hearing aid technology was analogue based, with the advent of technology, digital technology is implemented in today’s hearing aids.
At Aural Care Center, once the patient is identified with hearing loss which is medically or surgically incurable, the patient is referred for hearing aid trial and fitting. Hearing aids are available in different styles including Behind the Ear hearing aids (standard BTE, mini BTE, open fit type BTE), Receiver In the Ear, In the Canal, In The Ear, Completely in the Canal, Pocket level hearing aids etc. Digital hearing aids from world-class hearing aid manufacturers are available at Aural Care Center at concessional rates.
Hearing aid selection and fitting is based on objective and subjective measures. Free field Aided thresholds, speech measures are utilized for assessing functional benefit with hearing aid. In addition, Aural care center is equipped with Hearing aid programmer and Real Ear measurement systems for objective evaluation of the hearing aid performance.
After the purchase of hearing aids, the hearing aid user is oriented and counselled regarding the care and maintenance of hearing aids. Availability of facilities for reprogramming in cases of programmable hearing aids and servicing of hearing aid provides the hearing aid users with good after sale services.
Behind-the-ear (BTE) aids: These type of hearing aids are worn behind the ear; and is connected to an earmold or an eartip . This style is often chosen for young children/ elderly because it can accommodate various gain options and earmold , which need to be replaced as the child grows. Also, the BTE aids are easy to be cleaned and handled, and are relatively sturdy.“Mini” BTE (or “on-the-ear”) aids is a new type of BTE aid It also fits behind/on the ear, but is smaller. A very thin, almost invisible tube is used to connect the aid to the ear canal. Mini BTEs may have a comfortable ear piece for insertion (“open fit”), but may also use a traditional earmold. Mini BTEs allow not only reduced occlusion or “plugged up” sensations in the ear canal, but also increase comfort, reduce feedback and address cosmetic concerns for many users.
Receiver-In-Canal (RIC) hearing aids are comfortably and effectively designed for high frequency hearing loss. This aid has two parts, the sound processor and the receiver. The sound processor is housed in a small unnoticeable case that sits behind the ear, in the same place your eyeglasses rest. A clear narrow tube follows the ear and leads to a small ear bud that houses the receiver that fits directly into your ear canal. This design helps with occlusion specifically with high frequency hearing loss.
completely-in-the-canal (CIC) aids: These hearing aids are contained in tiny cases that fit or completely into the ear canal. They are the smallest hearing aids available and offer cosmetic and some listening advantages. However, their small size may make them difficult to handle and adjust for some people especially for elderly.
INVISIBLE IN THE CANAL (IIC) aids: IIC hearing aids are the smallest hearing aids available. They are worn deep within the ear canal, ensuring only you know that you’re wearing them. The close placement to your eardrum ensures immediate sound travel and less ambient noise in loud environments. Invisible-In-Canal aids produce the highest quality sound and are the least noticeable to others. They are designed for daily removal, meaning wearers need to be comfortable inserting and removing the tiny device deep into their ear canal.