Hearing devices & connectivity
Hearing aid styles
There are three most commonly used hearing aid styles:
- Receiver-in-the-Ear (RITE)
- Behind-the-ear (BTE); and
- In-the-ear (ITE)
RECEIVER IN THE EAR (RITE)
This is fast becoming the most popular style of hearing instrument. Lightweight, very small, nearly invisible with a range of colours make these solutions cosmetically appealing. The earpiece has a better fit and is more comfortable and easy to wear. The sound travels in a less noticeable, ultra-thin sound wire straight into your ear which means even clearer and more natural sound quality.
BEHIND THE EAR (BTE)
This style of hearing aid is housed in a small curved case which fits behind the ear and is attached to a custom earpiece moulded to the shape of your outer-ear. Typically, BTEs are the most powerful hearing aid style available
IN THE EAR (ITE / ITC)
This hearing aid fits directly into the ear. The circuitry is housed primarily in the concha (external) portion of the ear. Due to the miniaturization of the component parts (including the microphone, receiver and battery), it is possible to make hearing aids small enough to fill only a portion of the concha (ITC – in the canal) or fit deeply into the ear canal (CIC – completely in canal). The ITC and CIC styles, because of their size, have less manual controllability and sometimes require a remote control to adjust volume control and program button. Suitability will rely on the size of the ear canals.
Connectivity & accessories
Many hearing devices can be connected to smart phones, iPads & Tablets. Bluetooth technology in these devices supports stereo streaming of music and produces sound with high fidelity and bandwidth. Your smart phone can also be used as a remote control and also when making calls the users voice is picked up by the smart phone microphone.
Other functions can include remote microphones for streaming another persons voice directly into the hearing aids from up to 20 metres away. This may come in handy at a restaurant table or for listening to a speaker at an event.
TV adapters are also available wirelessly, transmitting real-time stereo audio from a TV or home entertainment system. Users can set the volume to their preferred level for a listening experience free from the distraction of surrounding noise.
OUR SERVICES ARE SUPPORTED BY THE FOLLOWING MANUFACTURERS AND ORGANISATIONS
