I Need Hearing Aids, So Now What?  What Kind of Hearing Aids Can I Get?

Based on the results of your hearing screening, your Hearing Instrument Specialist will discuss whether your hearing loss would benefit from a hearing aid and explain the different types of hearing aids available.

Hearing aids will be ordered specifically for you. When you pick them up, we make sure they fit and that you fully understand how they operate before you leave the office.

Hearing aid technology continues to advance, so we will work with you to find the best option to fit your hearing loss and lifestyle so you can hear your best!

Several factors are involved when choosing a hearing instrument. These include, degree of hearing loss, lifestyle, situations in which you communicate, ease of use, and how much you can afford to spend.

While hearing aids cannot restore normal hearing, they can improve your hearing by amplifying soft sounds and help you hear sounds that you’ve had trouble hearing.

Types of Hearing Aids
The major types of hearing aids fall into two main categories: Behind-the-Ear (BTE) and In-the-Ear (ITE).

1. Behind-the-Ear (BTE)

The most familiar style of hearing aid with all components cased in a piece that sits behind the ear.

The BTE family includes the Receiver-in-Canal (RIC) style which has a small device behind the ear with an ultra-thin tube carrying a wire to a small plug (dome or mould) in your ear.

2. In-the-Ear (ITE)
A custom made hearing aid, where a hearing professional takes an impression of your ear. This larger custom style is easier to handle for those with dexterity issues. The ITEs come in a variety of sizes:

• In-the-canal (ITC): A smaller version of above ITE, offering a more discreet hearing aid style.
• Invisible-in-the-canal (IIC): A small hearing aid completely invisible inside the ear.
• Completely-in-the Canal (CIC): Hidden completely in the canal, a barely visible hearing device.

Hearing aids now come with amazing features. You can stream music or your TV directly into your hearing aids. You can even manage your hearing aids from your smartphone!

While hearing aid technology has advanced by leaps and bounds, a hearing aid will not restore normal hearing and will not prevent further hearing loss.

Call Port City Hearing at (315) 312-0097 today to schedule a hearing screening appointment with our NYS licensed hearing instrument specialists. We put the CARE in your hearing healthcare.

*State law requires hearing care professionals to inform consumers of the benefits of telecoil technology, looped environments and assistive listening devices.