Hearing Solutions
At The Optical Studio, we realise that there is much more to hearing loss than providing hearing aids. Our hearing solutions are customised based on your hearing loss as well as your lifestyle. This includes strategies for better communication in multiple situations from busy places to large echoey environments. Depending on your lifestyle and hearing loss, you may require accessories to enhance your hearing aids i.e. TV streamers, additional microphones or hearing aid remote controls. We work with multiple hearing aid manufacturers, to ensure that we can provide you with the correct hearing solution for you.
Hearing aids come in many styles and technology levels to meet your individual needs as well as lifestyle and personal preference. Hearing aids take a while to get used to as the brain needs to adjust and adapt to hearing the full range of sounds again. We will support you on this journey with as many appointments as necessary until you are fully satisfied.
Styles of Hearing Aids
RIC– receiver in the canal. One of the most popular hearing aid styles due to functionality and versatility. The receiver part fits inside the ear canal which means that the hearing aid can be smaller in size and a wire that connects it to the receiver. It can be fitted with a dome or a customised moulded tip that goes inside your ear. Each hearing aid has two microphones, which makes it easier to reduce background noise. It will most likely have Bluetooth and will often be rechargeable.
CIC– Completely in the canal hearing aid. Part of the hearing aid will be visible, but it can be made in skin tone or black to make it more discreet. It can have Bluetooth, and it does have the option of being rechargeable, however these features make them bigger in size and it tends to be more an ITC hearing aid rather than CIC.
ITC– In the canal hearing aids. These hearing aids may be visible, if someone looks at your ear canal. It can have Bluetooth and there is an option to have them rechargeable, although this will make them a bit bigger.
ITE– In the ear hearing aid. A hearing aid that covers the concha of the ear and will be visible if someone is looking at your ear. It has two microphones in each hearing aid. It can have Bluetooth and be rechargeable.
BTE– Behind the ear hearing aid. It has all the electrical components in the hearing aid which means that the hearing aid is a bit bigger than a RIC. It can be fitted with a thin tube and a dome or with a customised ear mould. It will generally have Bluetooth and can be rechargeable.
Hearing Aid Accessories
At The Optical Studio we have a wide range of hearing aid accessories for all hearing aids brands. Some of the common hearing aid accessories are:
TV streamers- plugs into the back of the TV and has the sound of the TV playing directly to the hearing aids, making the sound crisp and clearer.
Remote microphones- can be used in noisy situations where it is difficult following conversation with your hearing aids. The microphone can be placed in the middle of a table in a meeting or at a family meal. The microphone can also be worn by the speaker by clipping it to their collar or wearing it with a lanyard.
Remote controls- can be used to change the volume or program on the hearing aid/s.
Brands
