A hearing aid is a sophisticated sound amplifier.  There are at least four types of hearing aids: conventional, analog programmable, digital, and disposable.

Conventional hearing aids have screwdriver controls (frequency response, compression and maximum output) set by the dispenser.  They come with manual volume controls.

Programmable analog hearing aids have controls (frequency response, compression and output) which are programmed with a computer.  Adjustments can be made to the hearing aid if the patient’s hearing loss changes.

Digital programmable hearing aids have digital signal processing (DSP).  They are programmed to exactly match your hearing loss. Digital aids minimize distortion and improve speech/noise ratio with directional microphones.  They come with 2 or 7 bands, improving control of the frequency response.  Optional volume control offers more power to users with severe hearing loss.  Adjustments can be made to the hearing aid if the patient’s hearing loss changes.

Disposable hearing aids last as long as the battery: about 40-70 days.  They come pre-set to match several hearing loss patterns and in two sizes; no adjustments can be made.  When the battery expires, the user replaces it with a new one.

Hearing aids come in different sizes: CIC (completely-in-the-canal), ITC (in-the-canal), ITE (in-the-ear), and BTE (behind-the-ear).  CIC aids fit in the canal close to the eardrum, with no part in the concha area.  These tiny hearing aids are suitable for mild to moderate hearing losses.  ITC aids fit in the canal and concha area.  These hearing aids are suitable for mild to moderately severe hearing losses.  ITE aids fill the outer portion of the ear. These hearing aids are suitable for mild to severe hearing losses.   BTE aids fit behind the patient’s ear, with an earmold in the ear.  Sounds goes from the hearing aid, through small tubing, to the earmold.  These hearing aids are suitable for all degrees of hearing loss.  An infant or child may need new earmolds every three to six months depending on how fast the ear grows.

A new type of implanted hearing aid has recently been introduced, and is available through the University of Tennessee Otolaryngology Department.  This is the RetroX hearing aid.  A sound conducting tube travels from the ear canal to the crease behind the ear.  The digital hearing aid snaps on behind the ear where it is barely visible.  This system gives excellent amplification for high frequency hearing loss without the numerous unpleasant sensations conventional hearing aids cause, namely the occlusion effect.  To see a photo click here.

Our  hearing aids prices depend upon the model.  There a trial period of 30 days with the purchase of any hearing aid.   

The makes of hearing aids dispensed by our group are: RetroX, Oticon, Phonak, Starkey, and Telex.