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Today, hearing aids are divided into categories depending on their circuitry. Microchips, computers and digitized sound processing are all used in modern hearing aid designs.
Advanced Audiology Institute offers more than 30 models of hearing aids from the leading companies in hearing aid design and technology: Lyric, Phonak and Oticon. AAI's audiologists have the knowledge and skills needed to properly recommend and fit you for these technologically-advanced hearing aids and devices.
Commonly, there are two types of technology: analog and digital.
Analog hearing aids are available as conventional or programmable.
Conventional analog aids are designed with a particular frequency response based on your audiogram.
The audiologist tells the manufacturer what settings to install and the hearing aid amplifies all sounds in the same way. This is the least expensive option and can be appropriate for many different types of hearing loss.
Analog programmable hearing aids contain a microchip that allows the aid to have settings for different environments. The audiologist uses a computer to program the hearing aid for different listening situations according to the patient's hearing profile, speech understanding and range of tolerance for sounds.
Digital hearing aids have all the features of analog programmable hearing aids but are usually self-adjusting and use digitized sound processing to convert sound waves into digital signals. Digital processing allows more flexibility in programming so that the sounds transmitted by the hearing aid match the patient's hearing loss. A computer chip analyzes the signals of the patient's environment to determine if the sound is noise or speech, then makes modifications to provide a clear, amplified, distortion-free signal. This technology provides the best programmability, precision in fitting, management of loudness discomfort, feedback control and noise reduction.
Optional features such as directional microphones (reduces sound coming from behind you, allowing better face-to-face conversations), a telephone switch (reduces feedback, only picks up sound from the telephone) and a direct audio input (allows you to plug in a remote microphone, FM assistive listening system, TV, computer, CD player, radio, etc) can further enhance your lifestyle.
Lyric hearing aids
Phonak hearing aids
Oticon hearing aids
Other Options
Disclaimer: Advanced Audiology Institute understands that many patients do research before visiting a doctor, therefore AAI is happy to provide basic information about hearing aids and hearing aid technology. AAI recommends that you consult an audiologist for a hearing test and to be properly fitted for hearing aids.
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