Hearing Aids

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Custom Hearing Aids in Vallejo, CA

Hearing aids are an important health investment. Today’s hearing aids are more innovative and varied than ever before. There is a wide range of options that offer various styles, features, and technologies designed to create the best hearing experience. Our team uses our expertise in the latest hearing technologies and your hearing needs to recommend options that would be optimal for you. Knowing more about hearing aids and the numerous styles they come in can help you make an informed decision when choosing a device.

Hearing Aid Styles

Understanding How Hearing Aids Work

Having a foundational understanding of how hearing aids work is useful. Though hearing aids differ when it comes to style and features, all devices have the same key components:

  • Microphone: collects and absorbs sound waves from the environment and converts them into electrical signals. Digital hearing aids convert signals into digital signals, allowing them to adjust these signals in various ways to meet the specific needs of the wearer.
  • Amplifier: strengthens or amplifies signals and sends them to the speaker.
  • The speaker: also referred to as the receiver, sends these signals to the inner ear where they are further processed and sent to the brain.

The last component is the power source. All hearing aids are powered by disposable batteries or rechargeable batteries.

Hearing Aid Styles

In the Ear (ITE):

Custom ITE Hearing Aid
ITE hearing aids are custom-made based on a mold taken of your ears. This is used to make a device for the specific shape of your ear. ITE devices consist of all hearing aid components housed in a shell that is worn in the outer portion of the ear. ITE devices are best for people with mild to severe hearing loss. There are a few types of in-the-ear devices including (ITC), invisible in the canal (IIC), and completely in-canal (CIC) hearing aids.
ReSound ITC Hearing Aid

In the Canal (ITC): ITC hearing aids are worn in the lower portion of the outer ear bowl. Hearing aid components are housed in a half-shell case that is slightly larger than others in the ear styles, allowing them to host more features. ITC hearing aids are a good fit for mild to mildly severe forms of hearing loss.

ReSound CIC Hearing Aid

Completely in Canal (CIC): CIC hearing aids are smaller devices that are worn completely in the ear canal. They have a small tip so that wearers can safely insert and remove the device. Because they are smaller, they may not include features like wireless connectivity. This type is best for mild to moderate hearing loss.

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Invisible in Canal (IIC): IIC devices are the smallest type of hearing aid available. They sit deep in the ear canal and are nearly invisible. This type is best for mild to moderate hearing loss.

Behind the Ear (BTE):

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BTE hearing aids are worn behind the top portion of the outer ear. A small tube or wiring routes sound to an ear tip or earmold that sits in the ear canal. BTE devices come in different colors that can blend in with skin tones. Because BTE devices are bigger, they offer more needed power for people with moderate to severe hearing loss.
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Mini RIC (non-rechargable): a smaller type of BTE hearing aid, mini BTEs are also worn behind the ear. They have an ultra-thin tube that sends sound to an earpiece that is worn in the ear canal. The major difference is that the earpiece is worn in the ear canal but does not occlude the opening of the ear. This open-fitting style allows airflow and sound to naturally enter the ear. Mini BTEs are recommended for mild to moderate forms of hearing loss.
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Receiver in Canal (RIC) (Rechargeable): RIC hearing aids are sometimes referred to as receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) devices. These are mini BTE types of hearing aids but the speaker is incorporated into the earpiece worn in the ear canal rather than the component that is worn behind the ear. This makes the device smaller and is best for mild to moderate hearing loss.