Hearing aids and brands
Hearing aids are now discrete
Forget what you know about hearing aids of the past. Modern digital hearing aids are designed to be discrete and comfortable to suit your needs and lifestyle. As a medical device, it is important that these are prescribed by a qualified Audiologist to ensure they improve the clarity of sound and are fitted in a manner which is safe to preserve the residual hearing.
Hearing devices allow people with hearing loss to continue to stay engaged in social activities and participate in conversation with friends and family members.
Most hearing aids can be configured to be fully automatic and adjust the sound based on our prescriptions to provide clear and comfortable hearing all the time and in all environments.
New developments in hearing aid technology have allowed us to connect to external devices with bluetooth so that a user can define the control with an app and stream music and phone calls through the devices seamlessly. Hearing devices can be powered with disposable batteries or rechargeable and overnight the hearing aids are dehumidified and sterilised.
Types of hearing aids
There are many styles of hearing devices available and your Audiologist will be able to discuss this with you during a hearing needs assessment. At Hearing Institute we are local, New Zealand-owned and independent of hearing manufacturer ownership. We have taken this opportunity to partner with all brands and this enables us to find the right hearing devices to meet your needs.
Behind-the-ear hearing aids
Behind-the-ear hearing aids are discrete and comfortable to wear with the housing sitting on the top of the ear and an earmould or dome that sits in the ear. Sound is then directed through an acoustic tube or wire into the ear canal. Modern devices offer maxim fitting flexibility and can fit all hearing losses and configurations.
In-the-ear hearing aids
In-the-ear hearing aids sit in the ear canal and all electronic components are contained within a casing that fits directly into the ear. This style uses the natural acoustics of the external ear to better shape the sound. The size of the devices depends on the size and shape of your ear and the type and configuration of your hearing loss.
Hearing aids for Tinnitus
It is well documented that hearing loss and tinnitus are highly correlated. By correcting the hearing loss with hearing devices and providing stimulation to the auditory system the tinnitus appears to reduce. This suppression is in part due to an increased awareness of environmental sounds caused by the amplification. Modern hearing devices can include a combination of amplification and tinnitus sounds which work effectively together for tinnitus management.
Hearables
A new and exciting trend in hearing aid technology is emerging from consumer brands like Apple. This trend seeks to bridge the gap between ‘hearing aid’ and ‘earphone’. Hearable devices are often earphones first, with the ability to shape hearing thresholds within an app to boost frequencies. Many are self-fitting and are available over the counter for an individual to purchase and get a feel for improvement in their hearing ability.
If you have an iPhone, you may already have a hearable. Many iPhone models have functionality which provides modification to your AirPods to amplify speech in difficult environments.
Hearables do come with some limitations . They are designed primarily for people with mild hearing loss who do not require the sophistication of a hearing device. They are often larger than digital hearing devices and therefore less discrete. If you are looking for a recommendation for a hearable please contact us to discuss the available options.
Trial of hearing aids
At Hearing Institute we want you to be happy with your hearing aid purchase. Most hearing aid brands offer trial periods for hearing aids. This enables you to take the hearing aids into your own environment and gain some real life experience to ensure the devices meet your expectations and benefit your hearing needs. A follow up appointment enables you to explain the experiences and data collected in the hearing aid provides additional information. The Audiologist can fine tune your hearing and improve the hearing aid to continue to meet your expectations.
Servicing of hearing aids
At Hearing Institute we service, maintain and repair hearing aids of any brand, and carry a number of common spare parts and batteries.
Funding for hearing aids
Hearing aid subsidies and funding information can be found here and is available for residents living in New Zealand. Funding can be accessed through a New Zealand qualified Audiologist and will be discussed at our hearing needs assessment.