Hearing Aids

About Hearing Aids

Hearing aid technology has come a long way in recent years. Anti-whistling features, miniaturization, wireless connectivity between hearing aids, and wireless connections to personal and home electronics are just a few of the new features.

Many people are reluctant to use hearing aids. Some are concerned about appearance. Others associate them with a stereotype of aging. Others still have negative information about the effectiveness of hearings aids. What people need to know is that hearing aids have become more sophisticated and are more stylish in design. The models available today are much more capable and effective than those of yesterday. There is a vast array of hearing aids to choose from. Orangeville Hearing Clinic and Alliston Audiology consider your needs by considering all manufacturer brands. This comprehensive view opens up a world of options for you.

Orangeville Hearing Clinic and Alliston Audiology are there to work with you through this process.

Types of Hearing Aids

All hearing aids contain: a microphone to pick up sounds, an amplifier to make sounds louder, a receiver to send the louder signals to the eardrum and a battery to act as the power source. There are five types of hearing aids:

Mini-BTE or open-ear hearing aids

are the newest design to reduce or eliminate that echo or plugged feeling wearers can sometimes experience. They are easy to wear and barely noticeable. They are sometimes called Receiver-In-Canal (RIC) or Receiver-In-The-Ear (RITE).

In-the-ear (ITE)

hearing aids are custom-made and fit comfortably inside the ear.

In-the-canal (ITC)

hearing aids are smaller than the ITE style and are also-custom made to fit the size and shape of your ear canal.

Completely-in-the-canal (CIC)

micro-technology allows this type of hearing aid to be worn deep inside the ear canal. CICs are so tiny, they are almost invisible when worn.

The behind-the-ear (BTE)

style sits behind the ear, while the amplified sound passes down a tube to a customized earmold which fits in your ear.

Hearing Aid Technology

Hearing aid technology continues to improve at a rapid pace. A few of the latest improvements include:

ANTI-FEEDBACK FEATURES. These features reduce or stop the “whistling” of the hearing aid to allow for more comfort and easier telephone use.
EXTENDED HIGH-FREQUENCIES. This improvement allows you to hear more high-frequency consonants such as the sound “S” and “SH”.
HEARING AID WIFI. Hearing aids share information with each other via a wireless connection in order to work together and improve the sound for you.
MINIATURIZATION. Hearing aids pack more and more of these features into smaller and smaller packages too!
CONNECT TO YOUR WORLD. Hearing aids form connections to mobile phones, home phones, TVs, computers, tablets, remote microphones and much more. And the list keeps getting bigger!

Who Should You See For Hearing Aids?

If you suspect you have a hearing loss and may need hearing aids, make sure you see an Audiologist. Most people with hearing loss can benefit greatly from hearing aids. However, today’s hearing aids are much more complex than in the past and they require extensive knowledge to prescribe them accurately. An Audiologist will advise you if hearing aids are recommended for your hearing loss and has the advanced education needed to prescribe and fit today’s high technology hearing instruments with the precision these devices require. For your hearing aid needs, contact us at Orangeville Hearing Clinic and Alliston Audiology.

Steps to Assurance

Make sure your hearing test is conducted by an Audiologist.
Make sure your test results are interpreted by an Audiologist.
Make sure your prescription for hearing aids is written by an Audiologist.
Make sure your fitting is done by an Audiologist.
Make sure you receive a comprehensive assessment.

When it comes to your hearing health, only the best options on the market will do. At Orangeville Hearing Clinic and Alliston Audiology, we partner with industry leaders who continue to create innovative products for patients around the world. Our extensive experience in the hearing industry allows us to be your partner in learning about the hearing aids that are right for you.
Below is a list of the hearing device manufacturers whose products we carry.

Phonak Hearing Aids

Phonak is a leading manufacturer of hearing aids from Switzerland. With a full range of hearing products, users can now enjoy superior hearing performance. With technologies such as direct Bluetooth® streaming, lithium ion rechargeable batteries, Roger Wireless (formerly FM systems), CROS, Binaural VoiceStream™, and AutoSense OS technologies, Phonak is propelling hearing technology fast into the future. The Marvel and Belong are their latest platforms. Their product line includes:

Audeo

This line of miniature behind-the-ear or receiver-in-the-canal (RIC) hearing aids includes Audeo M 312, Audeo M312T, Audeo 13T, Audeo R, and Audeo RT.

Virto

This line of custom hearing aids include Virto CIC, Virto CIC titanium, Virto ITC, and Virto ITE.

Bolero

This line of behind-the-ear aids includes Bolero M, Bolero P, Bolero PR and Bolero SP.

Naida

This line of power behind-the-ear hearing aids includes Naida RIC, Naida SP, and Naida UP.

Sky

This line of children’s hearing aids includes Sky M, Sky P, Sky SP, Sky UP, Sky RIC, Sky PR.

Lithium Ion Rechargeable option.

Signia Hearing Aids (aka Siemens)/Widex

Signia, formerly known as Siemens and owned by the Sivantos group, is a leading hearing aid manufacturer offering a full range of hearing aids for types and levels of hearing loss. Established in 1847, Signia recently merged with Widex to form one of the largest hearing aid companies in the world. They’ve also introduced hearing aids with direct connectivity to iPhones®, lithium ion rechargeable aids, OwnVoiceTM and mobile applications for easy, wireless control over your hearing aid settings.

Pure Charge and Go

This miniature behind-the-ear or receiver-in-the-canal (RIC) model is rechargeable, Made for iPhone®, and uses Resound Smart app.

Pure NX

This miniature behind-the-ear or receiver-in-the-canal (RIC) model is Made for iPhone® (BlueTooth® low energy), and uses Resound Smart app. It come in three battery sizes: Pure 10 NX, Pure 312 NX, Pure 13 NX.

Styletto

This miniature behind-the-ear or receiver-in-the-canal (RIC) model with a unique shape is stylish, rechargeable and Made for iPhone®.

Insio NX

This line of custom hearing aids include Insio CIC, Insio ITC, and Insio ITE.

Motion NX

This line of behind-the-ear aids includes Motion 13 NX. Power and super power soon!

ReSound Hearing Aids

ReSound is a leading hearing aid manufacturer that offers innovative hearing solutions. ReSound has also optimized the use of Smart Hearing™ smartphone apps for easy customization of hearing aid settings in their recent LiNX Quattro and LiNX 3D models. Getting hearing aids to achieve their best results for your unique lifestyle has never been easier.

LiNX

This line of miniature behind-the-ear or receiver-in-the-canal (RIC) hearing aids includes Rechargeable 61 RIE, Replaceable battery RIE 62.

Enzo

This line of behind-the-ear aids includes the Enzo 3D

Custom

The custom line includes CIC, ITC, and ITE.

Lithium Ion Rechargeable

Oticon Hearing Aids

Oticon was founded in 1904. With technologies such as direct Bluetooth® low energy streaming, silver zinc rechargeable batteries , CROS, Brain Hearing™ and Open Sound Navigator™, Oticon has a comprehensive portfolio of hearing aids. Velox and Inium Sense are their latest platforms. Their product line includes: