Hearing Aids

Consist of a hard, plastic case worn behind the ear and connected to a plastic earmold that fits inside the outer ear. The electronic parts are held in the case behind the ear. Sound travels from the hearing aid through the earmold and into the ear. BTE aids are used by people of all ages for mild to profound hearing loss.

BTE aids have two different types; closed fit (which use a fitted ear mould sits in the outer ear), and open fit, consisting of a narrow tube inserted into the ear canal, enabling the canal to remain open. For this reason, open-fit hearing aids may be a good choice for people who experience a build-up of earwax, since this type of aid is less likely to be damaged by such substances. In addition, some people may prefer the open-fit hearing aid because their perception of their voice does not sound ‘plugged up’.

The Hearing Aid fits completely inside the outer ear and is used for mild to severe hearing loss. The case holding the electronic components is made of hard plastic. Some ITE aids may have certain added features installed, such as a Telecoil. A Telecoil is a small magnetic coil that allows users to receive sound through the circuitry of the hearing aid, rather than through its microphone. This makes it easier to hear conversations over the telephone. A Telecoil also helps people hear in public facilities that have installed special sound systems, called induction loop systems. Induction loop systems can be found in many churches, schools, airports, and auditoriums. ITE aids are not usually worn by young children as the casings need to be replaced often as the ear grows. Advancements in BTE aid design have led to the development of open-fit hearing aids. Small, open-fit hearing aids fit behind the ear completely, with only a narrow tube inserted into the ear canal, enabling the canal to remain open. For this reason, open-fit hearing aids may be a good choice for people who experience a build-up of earwax, since this type of aid is less likely to be damaged by such substances. In addition, some people may prefer the open-fit hearing aid because their perception of their voice does not sound ‘plugged up’.

The Hearing Aid fits completely inside the outer ear and is used for mild to severe hearing loss. The case holding the electronic components is made of hard plastic. Some ITE aids may have certain added features installed, such as a Telecoil. A Telecoil is a small magnetic coil that allows users to receive sound through the circuitry of the hearing aid, rather than through its microphone. This makes it easier to hear conversations over the telephone. A Telecoil also helps people hear in public facilities that have installed special sound systems, called induction loop systems. Induction loop systems can be found in many churches, schools, airports, and auditoriums. ITE aids are not usually worn by young children as the casings need to be replaced often as the ear grows. Advancements in BTE aid design have led to the development of open-fit hearing aids. Small, open-fit hearing aids fit behind the ear completely, with only a narrow tube inserted into the ear canal, enabling the canal to remain open. For this reason, open-fit hearing aids may be a good choice for people who experience a build-up of earwax, since this type of aid is less likely to be damaged by such substances. In addition, some people may prefer the open-fit hearing aid because their perception of their voice does not sound ‘plugged up’.

These hearing aids are also known as receiver-in-ear (RITE) aids.

They consist of a plastic case worn behind the ear that holds the microphone, amplifier and processor. They differ from the traditional behind-the-ear device in that both the receiver and speaker are housed in a little dome that sits within the ear, and the two are connected by a fine wire that’s very discrete. (In behind-the-ear devices, the speaker is housed in the hard case behind the ear). RIC aids are particularly good at amplifying high pitched sounds (which are typically the sounds we struggle to hear when we start to lose our hearing). This makes them a good choice for people with mild to moderate loss.

Rechargeable hearing aids are a great alternative to battery operated aids. They are ideal for those with dexterity issues, or those who simply do not want the inconvenience of changing batteries frequently. These aids are charged overnight and provide a full day’s wear. ITE and RIC hearing aids are currently available with rechargeable options.

Complete or significant hearing loss in one ear is often referred to as Single Sided Deafness (SSD) or a Unilateral Hearing Loss. SSD is typically a permanent condition, that can arise due to a number of causes including measles, mumps, trauma, acoustic neuroma tumours and hereditary disorders. There are approximately 200 new cases of SSD reported per million inhabitants in the world, making it a rare condition.

Single Sided Deafness (SSD), or hearing loss in one ear affects sufferers in many different ways. Problems arise such as an inability to determine the direction of sound. This can make day to day tasks such as crossing the road both difficult and dangerous. However, the biggest obstacle for SSD sufferers is socialising in large groups or noisy environments. In these circumstances, many sufferers feel excluded because they miss out on group conversations, while others worry that they will appear ignorant or rude if they do not hear a question.

There is no cure for permanent Single Sided Deafness (SSD). However, there are several treatments available which can restore the sensation of hearing to the deaf side. The treatment is possible irrespective of the length of time a patient has suffered from SSD. It has proved extremely successful for some of our patients who have had total hearing loss in one ear. The two main treatment options available for hearing loss in one ear are – the BAHA (a bone anchored hearing aid device) and the CROS hearing aid (Contralateral Routing Of Signal).

Why would you choose a CROS or BiCROS system?

• You are missing important information from your poor ear; this could be conversations, environmental sounds and traffic sounds
• You have difficulty localizing sounds and telling the direction from which they are coming from
• You have to turn your head frequently, so your better ear is towards the direction of sound
• You feel unbalanced wearing just one instrument on the better ear

The common goal of CROS and BiCROS fittings is to provide audibility and awareness of signals from the unaidable side of the head to the better ear. The difference between whether you need a CROS or a BiCROS hearing aid is dependent upon the level of hearing you have in your good ear. When your better ear hears normally then the prescribed system will be a CROS hearing aid. The transmitter placed behind or inside your poorer ear, picks up sound and transmits it wirelessly to the normal hearing ear. The hearing in your good ear will remain natural and completely unaffected. When you have a hearing loss in your better ear (BiCROS), the transmitter placed behind or inside your poorer ear, picks up sound and transmits it wirelessly to the better hearing ear. At the same time, the receiving hearing aid acts traditionally and serves as an amplifier improving hearing in that ear.

We have had significant success using the wireless CROS and BiCROS hearing aid systems since their release a few years ago. The introduction of wireless technology has advanced this particular hearing aid device, as previous generations of technology relied on wired connections which were cumbersome and cosmetically unattractive. The new generation of CROS hearing aid systems are extremely discrete and highly affective.

The CROS hearing aids are currently manufactured by Phonak, Starkey and Widex.