{"id":1270,"date":"2020-12-18T15:52:58","date_gmt":"2020-12-18T21:52:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/river-ent.fm1.dev\/hearing-aid-overview\/"},"modified":"2021-03-09T17:43:59","modified_gmt":"2021-03-09T23:43:59","slug":"hearing-aids","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/river-ent.com\/hearing-aids\/","title":{"rendered":"Hearing Aids"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n  \"mainEntity\": [{\n    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n    \"name\": \"What is a Receiver in the Canal Hearing Aid?\",\n    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n      \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n      \"text\": \"An RIC hearing aid consists of a tiny housing containing all electronics except the receiver, which is positioned behind the ear. A thin tube connects the housing to the receiver, which is worn in the concha (bowl-shaped portion) of the ear. It\u2019s a small and discreet unit but powerful enough for treating mild to moderately severe hearing loss.\"\n    }\n  }, {\n    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n    \"name\": \"What is a Behind-the-Ear (BTE) Hearing Aid?\",\n    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n      \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n      \"text\": \"The most popular style of hearing aid (about 60 percent of users choose this type), a BTE device is curved to match the contour of the ear and rests directly behind the ear. The housing, which contains all the electronics, is encased in plastic and connects to the ear canal with a thin, clear tube or ear mold. Though more visible than other styles, the BTE is simple to use, making it a popular choice for children. It\u2019s powerful enough for all types of hearing loss.\"\n    }\n  }, {\n    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n    \"name\": \"What is a Completely-in-the-Canal (CIC) Hearing Aid?\",\n    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n      \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n      \"text\": \"This hearing aid is placed in the ear canal and is the smallest available. It takes advantage of the ear\u2019s natural ability to collect sound, and its discreet size makes the device virtually invisible to others. The trade-off is a shorter battery life, and it may prove difficult to adjust for those with poor manual dexterity. This is a good choice for mild to moderate hearing loss.\"\n    }\n }, {\n    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n    \"name\": \"What is a In-the-Canal (ITC) Hearing Aid?\",\n    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n      \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n      \"text\": \"This style is also designed to fit in the ear canal, but not as deeply as a CIC device, resting securely in the lower portion instead. It\u2019s a little larger, making it easier to insert and remove and extending the battery life. Best for patients with mild to moderate hearing loss.\"\n    }\n  }, {\n    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n    \"name\": \"What is a In-the-Ear (ITE) Hearing Aid?\",\n    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n      \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n      \"text\": \"This hearing aid is designed to fill the outer portion of the ear, and is larger than those worn in the ear canals. It is less discreet, but the size allows for more features and makes the unit easier to adjust. A bigger battery translates to longer life and means those with severe or profound hearing loss can benefit from this style.\"\n    }\n  }, {\n    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n    \"name\": \"How do rechargable hearing aids work?\",\n    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n      \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n      \"text\":\"One of the latest, and most welcome, breakthroughs in hearing aid technology is rechargeable batteries. Most of the major hearing aid manufacturers now offer rechargeable options or the ability to convert existing hearing aids into rechargeable ones, freeing users from the hassle of disposable batteries. Not only is this great for the environment; it saves you money in the long run. By utilizing lithium-ion batteries, you can get up to 24 hours of performance with a single charge, allowing you to wear your hearing aids all day long and not have to worry about having them run out of power during an especially inopportune moment. Many include disposable battery backups for an added measure of security.\"}\n    }]\n  }\n<\/script>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>Hearing aids have improved greatly with the advent of digital technology. If you\u2019re picturing big and bulky devices with questionable sound quality, you\u2019ll be pleased to learn today\u2019s instruments are smaller, more comfortable and provide sound that is more natural. They are available in a variety of sizes and styles, so finding one that appeals to your lifestyle needs and cosmetic preferences should be easy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are the Different Types of Hearing Aids?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Receiver-in-the-Canal (RIC)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignright size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"286\" height=\"147\" src=\"https:\/\/river-ent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Oticon-RITE-style-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1437\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>An RIC hearing aid consists of a tiny housing containing all electronics except the receiver, which is positioned behind the ear. A thin tube connects the housing to the receiver, which is worn in the ear canal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This hearing aid type is a small and discreet unit but powerful enough for treating significant hearing loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Behind-the-Ear (BTE)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignright size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"286\" height=\"147\" src=\"https:\/\/river-ent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Phonak-BTE-style-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1434\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>A BTE device is curved to match the contour of the ear and rests directly behind the ear. The housing, which contains all the electronics, is encased in plastic and connects to the ear canal with a custom ear mold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Though more visible than other styles, a BTE is powerful enough to treat severe to profound hearing losses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Completely-in-the-Canal (CIC)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignright size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"286\" height=\"147\" src=\"https:\/\/river-ent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Phonak-CIC-style-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1436\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>This hearing aid is placed in the ear canal. It takes advantage of the ear\u2019s natural ability to collect sound and may have a control on the device to adjust the volume. Its discreet size makes the device virtually invisible to others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The trade-off is a shorter battery life, and it may prove difficult to adjust for those with poor manual dexterity. This is a good choice for mild to moderate hearing loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">In-the-Canal (ITC)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignright size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"286\" height=\"147\" src=\"https:\/\/river-ent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Phonak-ITC-style-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1528\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>This style is also designed to fit in the ear canal, but not as deeply as an IIC device, resting securely in the lower portion instead. It\u2019s a little larger, making it easier to insert and remove and extending the battery life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Best for patients with mild to moderate hearing loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">In-the-Ear (ITE)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignright size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"286\" height=\"147\" src=\"https:\/\/river-ent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Phonak-ITE-style-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1525\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>This hearing aid is designed to fill the outer portion of the ear, and is larger than those worn in the ear canals. It is less discreet, but the size allows for more features and makes the unit easier to adjust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A bigger battery translates to longer life and means those with severe or profound hearing loss can benefit from this style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Hearing Aid Technologies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Hearing aid technology has improved drastically over the past couple of decades. Early devices relied on vacuum tubes and bulky batteries, but today\u2019s instruments take advantage of digital signal processing, microchips and computerization. Keeping track of the latest technological features can be challenging, but we\u2019ll cover a few of the more popular options here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Some of the breakthroughs in hearing aid technology include the following:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Gain processing, which reduces background and microphone noise for a clearer sound.<\/li><li>Digital feedback reduction with built-in cancellation, which reduces or eliminates squelching and feedback.<\/li><li>Digital noise reduction, which reduces background noises for better, more reliable speech recognition.<\/li><li>Directional microphones, which provide better directionality by having one microphone focus on the sound source while the other decreases background noise.<\/li><li>Automatic programming, which utilizes preset programs that automatically adapt to a range of different sound environments.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Choosing a Hearing Aid<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are experiencing hearing loss, odds are good that you\u2019ll benefit from a hearing aid. But choosing the right one is no simple task. Today\u2019s hearing aids are smaller and more feature-packed than their predecessors, offering an array of options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Narrowing the choices down can be tough, but there are a few important things you should take into consideration before choosing a hearing aid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Are Your Hearing Needs?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>First, you\u2019ll need to have an <a href=\"https:\/\/river-ent.com\/hearing-loss\/testing\/\">audiologist assess your hearing loss<\/a>. Severity is measured in degrees, based upon your hearing loss range in decibels. It ranges from normal (-10 to 15 dB) to profound (91+ dB), with a total of seven different degrees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Equally important is the frequency of <a href=\"https:\/\/river-ent.com\/hearing-loss\/\">your hearing loss<\/a>. Conductive hearing loss resulting from damage to the outer or middle ear affects low frequency sounds, while sensorineural hearing loss, in which damage occurs to the inner ear, results in a loss of high frequency sounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Additional considerations that will help an audiologist pair you with the right hearing aid include:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Lifestyle Needs<\/strong>: Functionality is an important consideration. With so many available features, you\u2019ll need to decide which ones matter most to you. Features like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bluetooth.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Bluetooth\u00ae connectivity,<\/a> automatic volume control, rechargeable batteries, App connectivity, and AI-Assisted on the fly adjustments are becoming more commonplace, but aren\u2019t available in all models yet.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Cosmetic Preferences<\/strong>: Hearing aids are available in a variety of sizes and styles, some visible while others are implanted deep within the ear canal, rendering them virtually undetectable. Many are custom-molded to fit each individual\u2019s ears.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Budgetary Considerations<\/strong>:&nbsp; Some of the cheaper, entry-level products are not classified as hearing aids by the FDA, which requires devices to meet stringent guidelines. Having a professional assist you with the product decision ensures you are protecting your hearing health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">An audiologist can help you make the best choice for you<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Hearing aids range widely in cost; finding the right product for your needs depends upon a thorough hearing evaluation by a qualified audiologist, who will provide a recommendation perfectly suited to your type and degree of hearing loss and budget, as well as other lifestyle factors.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><p>Call <span class=\"company-name \">River ENT<\/span> at <a href=\"tel:+15126776368\" class=\"phone \"> <span class=\"phNum\">(512) 677-6368<\/span><\/a> for more information or to schedule an appointment.<\/p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Hearing aids have improved greatly with the advent of digital technology. If you\u2019re picturing big and bulky devices with questionable sound quality, you\u2019ll be pleased to learn today\u2019s instruments are smaller, more comfortable and provide sound that is more natural. They are available in a variety of sizes and styles, so finding one that appeals&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":4,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"(512) 677-6368 | Hearing aids are available in a variety of sizes and styles, so your audiologist can help you find one that appeals to your needs.","_seopress_robots_index":"","schema":"","fname":"","lname":"","position":"","credentials":"","placeID":"","no_match":false,"name":"","company":"","review":"","address":"","city":"","state":"","zip":"","lat":"","lng":"","phone1":"","phone2":"","fax":"","mon1":"","mon2":"","tue1":"","tue2":"","wed1":"","wed2":"","thu1":"","thu2":"","fri1":"","fri2":"","sat1":"","sat2":"","sun1":"","sun2":"","hours-note":"","footnotes":""},"service_tags":[],"class_list":["post-1270","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/river-ent.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1270","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/river-ent.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/river-ent.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/river-ent.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/river-ent.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1270"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/river-ent.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1270\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/river-ent.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1270"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"service_tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/river-ent.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/service_tags?post=1270"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}