Independent Hearing Aids Advise
Hearing Aids: your individual solution
Hearing First Audiology works with well-known hearing aid manufacturers. We will help to determine the appropriate style and level of technology based on your listening demands, lifestyle and budget. From tiny in-the-ear-canal styles, to near invisible behind-the-ear models and powerful aids for severe to profound hearing loss, we fit and advise on all styles and brands of hearing aids
Receiver–In–The-Canal (RIC)
Receiver-In-The-Ear (RITE) Hearing Aids
This style of hearing aid is the most popular in Australia and world-wide and is made by all major hearing aid manufacturers. Depending on the manufacturer they are known as RIC or RITE instruments – both refer to the same style. They consist of a thin coated wire that extends from the body of the hearing aid (which sits behind the ear) to the entrance of the ear canal. Usually there is a small soft tip or dome that attaches to the end of the wire and is inserted into the ear canal. Customised moulds or acrylic tips are also used in some instances. These fittings have the advantage of allowing air and sound to flow into the ear canal creating a comfortable feel and natural sound quality.
RICs are suitable for a wide range of hearing losses from very mild to severe. They are comfortable and provide a cosmetically appealing solution. From a front-on view they are usually very difficult to see with the behind the ear part of the hearing aid available in different colours and easily covered by hair or hidden behind the ear. Many of these hearing aids come in a rechargeable option with direct Bluetooth connectivity avai
Invisible-In-The-Canal Hearing Aids (IIC)
Completely-In-The-Canal Hearing Aids (CIC)
In-The-Canal (ITC) /In-The-Ear (ITE) Hearing Aids
Sitting less deeply in the ear than CIC hearing aids, ITC and ITE hearing aids are effective for mild to severe hearing loss. They can include more features than their CIC counterparts, including directional microphones and Bluetooth compatibility. Although these hearing aids tend to be a little more visible from a side view they have several advantages over the smaller CIC and IIC models.
These devices have a larger battery size, wither a 312 or 13. This results in a longer battery life and reduces the need to replace batteries frequently. The larger size also makes handling easier for people who may have difficulty with manual dexterity or eyesight. ITC hearing aids can be equipped with direct Bluetooth capabilities similar to that found in a RIC or BTE device. More recently some manufacturers have released rechargeable ITC hearing aids.
Behind-The-Ear (BTE) Hearing Aids
BTE style hearing aids are the traditional shape of device that most people associate with hearing aids. Although still popular their use has decreased since the availability of RIC style instruments has increased. BTEs are the most flexible type of hearing aid. Suitable for mild to the most severe to profound hearing loss they come in a wide range of powers.
BTE hearing aids hook over the top of the ear, sitting snugly behind it. They carry the sound from the instrument via a clear tube into a mould or dome that sits in the ear. Available in a large range of sizes and colours, BTE hearing aids provide flexibility and can be adapted for most types of hearing loss for all ages. Another advantage of BTE instruments is that they are robust with all working parts encased in the part of the aid sitting behind the ear. They have less repairs than other instruments. These hearing aids are usually powered with a 312 or 13 size battery. Most are also available with a rechargeable lithium ion battery and have a wide range of features including direct Bluetooth compatibility.
Wearables and Ear Bud Hearing Devices
This is the newest category of hearing device available and there are a number of manufacturers providing a wide variety of instruments ranging in sophistication and purpose. These devices are built around the popularity of Bluetooth earbuds with the added benefit of amplifying sound and performing to some extend like a hearing aid. They vary widely in quality and function. Some of these devices are designed to merely amplify all surrounding sound with little or no ability to manipulate the response of the device.
Others are a true hearing aid with noise reduction capabilities that are equal to a more sophisticated hearing aid. All of the devices in this category are designed to appear like a Bluetooth ear bud and many have a cool, high-tech appealing appearance with a programmable output that can be tailored by the Audiologist to each individual wearer.
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