ADVANCED HEARING AID TECHNOLOGY
Austin ENT Associates partners with the top hearing aid manufacturers to bring our patients the latest in hearing aid technology and advanced solutions. All hearing aids are discreet digital processors, most are wireless and Bluetooth enabled, some even have streaming capability with Smartphones. Working with the best global manufacturers gives us the ability to offer solutions for all lifestyles, hearing loss and budget needs.
Digital Hearing Aid Styles
Hearing Aids are available in many different sizes and styles thanks to advancements in digital technology. Many of today’s hearing aids are sleek, compact and innovative-offering solutions to a wide range of hearing aid wearers.
INVISIBLE IN CANAL (IIC)
The smallest custom style, IIC instruments, sit invisibly in or past the second bend of the ear canal. IIC devices are specifically designed for mild-to-moderate hearing loss.
COMPLETELY IN CANAL (CIC)
One the smallest custom styles, CIC instruments, fit inside the ear and out of sight, making them virtually undetectable. CIC devices are suitable for many levels of hearing loss.
RECEIVER IN EAR (RIC)
RIC hearing aids are behind-the-ear devices that place the speaker directly in the ear, often without a custom ear mold. “Open-fit” technology means RIC devices do not always require a custom ear mold. In some cases, a custom earmold is necessary to achieve the best result for the RIC devices. Improved sound quality is one of the many advantages of RIC devices.
BEHIND-THE-EAR (BTE)
BTE hearing aids are used for varying degrees of hearing loss. BTEs have become smaller and lighter over the past years and are barely noticeable behind the ear, or not noticeable when hair is covering the devices. All of the hearing aid components are housed outside the ear, reducing the chance of damage caused by earwax and moisture, which can help the hearing aid last longer.
CROS/BICROS Hearing Aids
CROS and BICROS hearing aids are innovative technology, allowing a user with profound or complete hearing loss in one ear to hear sounds from the non-hearing side in the better ear. The system sends sound wirelessly from the non-hearing side (via a CROS transmitter) to a discreet sound receiver on the hearing ear. No longer do you have to miss something said on the ‘wrong’ side. No more will you have to say “talk in to my good ear”.