Audiology
General Information
Hearing aids are electronic, battery-operated devices that amplify and change sound to allow for improved hearing and communication. Hearing aids receive sound through a microphone, which then converts the sound waves to electrical signals. The amplifier increases the loudness of the signals and then sends the sound to the ear through a speaker.
The Carls Center Clinic works with a variety of hearing aid manufacturers, including Unitron, Phonak, Oticon, and Siemens. We offer state of the art digital hearing aid technology to meet your individual hearing needs. We also work with most insurance companies, which may help defray the cost of hearing aids.
Types of Hearing Aids
There are four basic types of Hearing Aids:
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In-the-Ear (ITE) - Hearing aids that fit completely in the outer ear and are used for mild to severe hearing losses. The case or shell, which holds the circuitry, is made of hard plastic. They are not usually worn by children because the shells need to be replaced as the ear grows.
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Behind-the-Ear (BTE) - A hearing aid that is worn behind the ear and is connected to a plastic ear mold that fits inside the outer ear. The components are held in a case behind the ear. Sounds then travel through the ear mold and into the ear. BTE hearing aids are used by people of all ages for mild to profound hearing losses.
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Open Fit Behind-the-Ear (BTE) - These hearing aids are worn behind the ear and are connected to a thin plastic tubing with a soft dome that fits into the ear instead of an ear mold. This style of aid is usually worn by people who have mild or high frequency hearing loss.
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Canal hearing aids fit into the ear and are available in two sizes. The In-the-Canal (ITC) hearing aids are customized to fit the size and shape of the ear canal and are used for mild or moderately severe hearing loss. A Completely-in-Canal (CIC) hearing aid is largely concealed in the ear canal and is used for mild to moderately severe hearing loss. Because of their small size, canal style hearing aids require good dexterity, good close-up vision (due to small battery) and vigilant monitoring for earwax.
