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The Pros and Cons of Invisible Hearing Aids

As technology has advanced at a rapid pace in the 21st century, so too has the technology behind hearing aids. They’ve forged ahead with upgrades that have made them considerably more accessible and user-friendly.

Some of these impressive advances include:


More Natural Sound

Older hearing aids were known to distort the sounds they would amplify, leaving the users with a less-than-natural hearing experience. New hearing aids are far superior in reproducing the most natural sounding output.


Better Performance in Tricky Environments

Hearing aids now have more tact in how they amplify sound. There’s nuance involved and even options to change hearing aid settings on the fly.


Suitability for a Wider Range of Hearing Loss

Hearing loss is a spectrum, and modern hearing aids take that into account. There are hearing aids made specifically for people who only have a mild case of hearing loss and those who have a more severe loss – and then everyone in between. The bottom line is that more people can get help with their specific symptoms.


Smaller Devices

It’s quite amazing how small of a package all this hearing aid tech can now fit into. What once used to need a bulky and obtuse hearing aid can now fit into a package so small that it slips inside your ear only to be noticed by the nosiest observer.


Types of Hearing Aids

While these micro devices are miracles of technology, their reduced size does come with some drawbacks. It really depends on the individual user as to whether these drawbacks are enough to try other hearing aid types, of which there are many.


Invisible in the Canal (IIC) & Completely in the Canal (CIC)

These mini-marvels of tech are both small and discreet, going virtually unnoticed by the world around you. The IIC devices sit deep inside your ear canal and can be removed by pulling on a small attached string. The CIC devices are similar, but they aren’t embedded quite as deeply. Both these models are fit for those with mild to moderate hearing loss


In the Canal (ITC)

These devices are not as small as their mini cousins but are still quite discreet, sitting in the lower part of your outer ear. They are often coloured to match your skin tone, further blending them in. As they are a tad bigger, they can fit more technology into them and therefore can be beneficial to a wider range of hearing loss.


Behind the Ear (BTE)

These devices hold their hardware in a case that sits behind your ear, with a speaker in the body that feeds sound through an attached earpiece that sits inside the ear canal. As they have a lot more room for tech, these devices can be made suitable for all degrees of hearing loss. One big advantage of BTE devices is the common use of built-in rechargeable batteries.


Receiver in the Ear (RITE)

Very similar to BTE hearing aids, these devices are different in that the speaker itself is in the inserted earpiece. The shell behind the ear can be smaller and more discreet. This makes the RITE hearing aids pretty much the most popular of the bunch.


Pros of Invisible Hearing Aids


Extremely Discreet Design

You’d be hard-pressed to notice these devices in someone’s ears unless you were purposefully looking for them. You can go about your day in public with confidence knowing no one can see them.


Superior Sound Quality

Invisible hearing aids sit so snugly inside your ear that they cease to be susceptible to outside disturbances that could affect your overall listening experience. No longer will the wind play games with your hearing aids input.


Superior Comfort Level

There are many reasons why invisible hearing aids offer a better overall comfort level for their users. Because they’re lightweight and custom molded, you’ll be much less aware of their presence. As they are so close to your eardrum, they require less power to transmit sound, resulting in much less occurrence of whistling or feedback sounds.


Cons of Invisible Hearing Aids


More Difficult to Handle

As they are so small, invisible hearing aids can be quite difficult to handle for those who have any issues with dexterity.


Shorter Battery Life and Fewer Features

The obvious result of having hearing aids so small is that they’ll have less room to fit some of the advanced features that many other types of hearing aids now offer. The small size also means that the non-rechargeable batteries are smaller and will need to be replaced more often.


Appropriate for Limited Range of Hearing Loss

If you suffer from more severe or advanced hearing loss, odds are that invisible hearing aids won’t be a good fit for you. While completely acceptable for those with mild or moderate hearing loss, because of their limited size they just can’t pack the punch needed to tackle heavier cases of hearing loss.


Should I Get Invisible Hearing Aids?

The first step to knowing if invisible hearing aids are right for you is to get a full accounting of the current state of your hearing. An audiologist can help you review your case as well as discuss your preferences and lifestyle that might play a role in your decision.


You can start by booking a hearing test with Professional Audiology. Take that first step and see whether invisible hearing aids can help you take back control of your hearing health.

How often should I get my hearing tested?

18 Apr, 2023
It’s routine for people to schedule medical checkups, like an annual physical, vision test or dental exam. But regular hearing tests are much less commonplace. Despite the integral role hearing plays in our daily lives, we just don’t tend to pay it as much mind. Your hearing is far from static, which is why we urge everyone—both young and old, known hearing loss or not—to get a hearing test and ensure you’re properly caring for all your senses. What happens during a hearing test? Hearing evaluations may be in-depth, but they are nothing to be nervous about. We won’t be poking and prodding you. Professional Audiology goes beyond the basic tests to better ensure our clients receive the thorough care they deserve. Here’s an in-depth overview of what happens during a hearing test. Hearing Screening A quick pass/fail test of your ability to hear different tones in each ear. It will indicate if you have hearing loss but will not go into any detail about the type or levels of degradation. If you fail a hearing screening, you should definitely get a full hearing test. Hearing Test Sometimes referred to as a hearing evaluation, these tests go in-depth into analyzing and diagnosing your hearing ability, your understanding of speech and assessing your outer, middle and inner ears. Components of a full hearing evaluation Your hearing is a two-part process, involving the physical action of hearing as well as the processing of the sound information once received by your brain. It’s crucially important to test based on both these factors to ensure you receive the proper care. There are a number of different tests that will be performed during your hearing evaluation. These include: Air conduction Otoscopy Bone conduction Tympanometry Word recognition Loudness discomfort levels None of these tests are invasive, and when combined, they offer our clients the fullest possible picture of their current hearing, and help highlight the best path to better hearing health. When should I get my hearing tested? There are many good reasons to receive a hearing test, and far fewer reasons not to. If you or someone you know has hearing loss, regular hearing tests are crucial to tell whether your loss is changing or degrading. If you’ve been receiving treatment for hearing loss, hearing tests will be able to gauge if that treatment has been successful in providing help and hopefully stemming the tide of further damage. If you work in a loud environment or frequent loud spaces like concerts, then regular hearing tests can be very helpful in guarding against further damage. Occupational hearing loss is unfortunately very common. If you ever notice a pervasive ringing in your ears, it is definitely in your best interest to receive a hearing test. Tinnitus is often associated with hearing loss, and while it can’t be treated the same way, a hearing test can certainly help you better understand your condition. If you’ve never received a hearing test before, it can be very helpful for future visits to have a baseline to compare to, so in the future it will be easier to determine if any loss has occurred. If for any reason, you or a loved one is questioning whether they may be suffering from hearing loss, then a comprehensive hearing evaluation can either quell those concerns or help lead you to the next step in determining how to tackle and prevent any further hearing loss. 

How hearing loops help when you’re out and about

18 Apr, 2023
There are plenty of situations in your day-to-day life that require a level of active listening. For anyone with hearing challenges, this can create a barrier that makes going about your regular business quite difficult. One solution for dealing with this is hearing loops, a very helpful technology that can make a huge difference for folks who are hard of hearing. What are hearing loops? A hearing loop is a unique sound system that is used to transmit sound directly to a user’s hearing aid or cochlear implant. Made up of a physical loop of cable that is placed around a designated area, a hearing loop transmits sound by generating a magnetic field in the area which delivers a signal to properly equipped hearing aids. When hooked up to a microphone, a hearing loop carries a speaker's voice wirelessly to listeners hearing aids and is best implemented in environments like church halls, theatre rooms and public spaces like banks, information centers and similar public-oriented service providers. How do hearing loops work with hearing aids? For a hearing aid to pick up the transmitted sound from a hearing loop, it has to be equipped with a called a telecoil. Also referred to as a T-coil, this technology is made up of a small coil of wire wrapped around a rod that acts as an antenna to pick up the sound being delivered by a hearing loop. All cochlear implants have telecoils equipped, and nearly 80% of hearing aids either have a telecoil included or are capable of using one. It’s important to ask that a telecoil be included with your new hearing aids, as it is such a helpful tool to be used when you’re out and about. How do I use a hearing loop? This is arguably the best part of hearing loop systems, as cochlear implants and T-coil-equipped hearing aids automatically pick up the signal, meaning you don’t have to do anything to enjoy the benefits of crystal-clear communication. Say you walk into a bank with a hearing loop system. Rather than having to struggle to hear what the teller is saying behind their glass partition, you’ll be able to hear their voice clearly and succinctly without so much as pushing a button. Even better is going to a packed local play and not having to strain to hear the actors, as their voices are being transmitted directly into your ears. Hearing loops provide a level of access that hearing aids alone can’t even offer. More and more locations around the world are adding hearing loops to their services, providing those who are hard of hearing the chance to go about their days with an increased level of normality. Where can I find hearing loops in Edmonton? There are multiple locations around Edmonton that provide the added hearing assistance of a hearing loop. The popular Citadel Theatre in downtown Edmonton has hearing loops installed in two of its performance areas, allowing everyone to enjoy their shows the way they were meant to be. Most of the HSBC banks in the city are equipped with hearing loops, and all of Edmonton’s public libraries offer hearing loops at their front counters. You can go to Hearing Loops Canada For a more detailed list of hearing loop locations as well as plenty of other useful hearing loop resources. If you’re interested in the benefits of hearing loops, your first step should be to book a hearing test . Professional Audiology can help you find the right devices that will not only take advantage of the benefits of hearing loops but also greatly help improve your ability to hear. Take that first step and see how hearing aids can help you take back control of your hearing health.

Tips for hearing better when dining out

18 Apr, 2023
There’s no question that dining out can be a stressful experience for anyone suffering from hearing loss. With diners chatting away, cutlery clanging and music playing at an uncomfortably loud level, even folks with healthy hearing may have a hard time communicating with their table mates. These debilitating decibels can make it an easy choice to stay in and miss out on socializing, which can quickly take a toll on your overall mental well-being. Here are some straightforward tips and tricks that can help those who are hard of hearing have an enjoyable experience when heading out for a bite. Take the Time to Plan Ahead If you are the one planning the restaurant outing, then all the power is in your hands. Make sure to use it! When these tips are combined, they’re sure to increase the enjoyment level of your culinary excursion. Research quiet restaurants People love to make lists and categorize essentially everything online. If you live in an urban area, there’s a very good chance that someone has taken the time to discern which restaurants won’t blow out your eardrums. Choose your seating carefully If you’re planning early, you should be able to pick your seat. Sitting right in the middle of a crowded dining area, with noisy neighbours in all directions, is sure to cause you some distress. Specifically, ask for a high-backed booth or a corner seat where you’ll have a wall to your back. This is sure to cut out a lot of the clamour. Timing is everything As you are the master and commander of your outing, you have a lot more sway in picking the time for everyone to gather and chow down. While brunch is certainly trendy, it won’t be hearing-friendly. Neither will the middle of the dinner rush be. Pick a time after the lunch rush, before the dinner rush, or even have a slightly later dinner. That way, after you’ve devoured your food, the restaurant will be nice and quiet, allowing you and your guests plenty of time to comfortably sip your wine and chat the night away. When Not in Charge of Planning, Advocate for Yourself This can admittedly be quite a tricky one. Nobody wants to inconvenience their friends or loved ones with a perceived huge ask for accommodation. It’s uncomfortable, and odds are your brain will tell you you’re asking too much and being a real pain. We’re here to tell you, you’re not asking too much. Your hearing issue is a real physical and measurable issue. Your mates will more than likely be happy to help you have an enjoyable dining experience. If not, then we’re sorry your friends suck. Bottom line: as hard as it can be, advocating for yourself is more than acceptable. Take Advantage of Tech to Improve Your Dining Experience Thank goodness for the ever-evolving world of technology, as there are products, devices and apps out there that can help you get the most out of your social forays. One such option is the ability to live transcribe the conversations at your table using your smartphone. There are multiple free apps, including a Google Android app that allow you to actively read what is being said by those dining with you. While the technology isn’t perfect, and you may get some comedically hilarious translation hiccups, context will probably help you through those bugs. Hearing aids are life changers for those who are hard of hearing Of course, the tried-and-true method to help you hear your surroundings with clarity and accuracy is hearing aids. Gone are the bulky and awkward hearing aids that stick out like a sore thumb. In are the sleek and discreet hearing aids with advanced technology like directional microphones that will help you focus the conversation. Hearing aids really can make a hugely beneficial impact on your life. You don’t have to continue suffering on your own, struggling from one conversation to another. While not a 100% cure to all your hearing issues, they are by far the best and most effective option to get you back out socializing and enjoying your life the way you used to. You can start your road to hearing recovery by booking a hearing test with Professional Audiology. Our trained and knowledgeable audiologists will help you find the hearing aid solution that works best for your specific needs. Take that first step and see how hearing aids can help you take back control of your hearing health.
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