Hearing Aids

More than 30 million Americans suffer from sensorineural hearing loss or “nerve deafness” caused by the damage or deterioration of the tiny sound-sensing hair cells in the inner ear. Although hearing loss is the natural result of aging, hearing loss can also result from exposures to loud noise, illness, infections, head trauma, birth defects, certain drugs as well as chemotherapy.

Dr. Gordon provides complete hearing aid services to clients with hearing problems. She provides education and training so that persons with hearing impairment can benefit from amplification and communication devices. Licensed Audiologists dispense the majority of hearing aids in the United States. At Professional Hearing & Speech Center we use the most advanced, computerized procedures to individualize the fitting of hearing aids.

Hearing loss isn’t a condition found only in older adults. In fact, nearly half of the persons with hearing loss are below the age of 65. A recent clinical study by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the National Institute of Health confirmed that hearing aids provide a substantial benefit to users in both quiet and noisy situations, and add much to improve the quality of life for persons with hearing loss. In other words, you don’t have to suffer with hearing loss…

Regardless of the type of hearing aids recommended for you, research and clinical experience have shown that most people benefit from wearing two hearing aids rather than just one. Using two hearing aids enhances your understanding of speech in noisy environments and improves your ability to identify where sounds are coming from.

At Professional Hearing & Speech Center we are vitally concerned that every person, regardless of age, benefit from good hearing. Therefore we provide individual counseling to help those with hearing loss function more effectively in social, educational and occupational environments. It is a fact of life that we lose hearing acuity as we grow older, and that hearing problems are commonly associated with the elderly.  Hearing aid options are thoroughly discussed with each potential user based on the results of a complete hearing aid test battery and the individual needs of each patient. Follow-up care is a critical part of the hearing aid process. Several follow-up appointments are necessary to get the optimal performance from your hearing aids.

If you are a candidate for hearing aids, Dr. Gordon will conduct a hearing aid evaluation. She will discuss the styles and technologies that are available and most appropriate for you. Dr. Gordon will explain the policies and procedures for dispensing aids, discuss costs, and take impressions of your ear canals for the customized manufacture of your hearing aids.

When your custom hearing aids arrive in a few days, you will need to return to your audiologist for a hearing aid and fitting. Your visit will include extensive counseling on the use and care of your new hearing aids. Follow-up visits will be scheduled if you need further adjustments, and you will be encouraged to contact your audiologist with any questions or concerns you have prior to your next visit.

What Can I Expect From My Hearing Aids? It is likely that your hearing will gradually deteriorated over time, so you should not expect your hearing aids to immediately return your hearing to “normal.” Using hearing aids successfully takes time and patience. Remember that it’s important to tell Dr. Gordon about any problems you are experiencing so adjustments can be made. Plan to consult your audiologist annually – more frequently if you notice a change in your hearing – to check on your hearing aids’ performance and to stay up-to-date with the rapidly advancing technology.

100% DIGITAL HEARING AID TECHNOLOGY

Since the advances in today's technology, digital amplification is the hearing aid of choice. Digital hearing instruments are computer-programmed for our patient’s individual hearing loss. The microchip technology samples incoming sounds millions of times per second translating sound waves into a digital code. These improved capabilities enable digital hearing aids to enhance speech and cancel feedback (whistling). Advanced digital hearing aids automatically adapt to the world around you and provide clearer, more comfortable sound in addition to helping you hear better in background noise. If your hearing loss changes over time, digital hearing instruments can be adjusted to accommodate those changes.

Lyric® is the first extended wear hearing device that is 100% invisible. Lyric is comfortably placed in the ear canal by a Lyric trained hearing professional and can be worn 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Lyric is positioned completely inside the ear canal, so it uses your ear’s natural anatomy to provide exceptional sound quality. Lyric lets you hear better and live life to the fullest!

In-the-Ear Styles

Hearing aids worn in the ear are usually custom-fit, based on a cast or impression of the ear. They’re available in different skin tones to camouflage with the outer ear. There are several styles – each is listed below, ranging from smallest to largest.

	Completely-in-the-Canal (CIC) The smallest custom style, CIC instruments fit deeply and entirely within the ear canal. They fit mild to moderate hearing losses and offer high cosmetic appeal as they’re nearly invisible when worn.
	In-the-Canal (ITC) ITC instruments sit in the lower portion of the outer ear bowl, making them comfortable and easy to use. Because they’re slightly larger than CIC models, they have a longer battery life, and can host additional features such as directional microphones for better understanding in noisy environments, and controls such as volume controls. They fit mild and moderate hearing losses.
	Half Shell (HS) Half shell models fill half the bowl of the outer ear. Like ITC models, their size enables the addition of features such as directional microphones, volume controls and push buttons to activate special settings for different listening environments. Because of their size, they may be easier than smaller models to handle for some people and yet are still often disguised by hairstyles or sideburns. This hearing aid style looks similar to the ITC hearing aid when worn on the ear, but is slightly larger.
	Full Shell or In-the-Ear (ITE)  Full shell models sit flush within the outer ear bowl. Their size allows the maximum number of additional controls and features such as directional microphones, which require space on the outer portion of the instrument. They use a larger battery size than the smaller styles, and can fit a larger receiver with enough power for even some severe hearing losses. Because of their flexibility, they’re widely recommended for mild to severe hearing loss.

Behind-the-Ear Styles

Behind-the-Ear (BTE) models sit behind or on top of the outer ear, with tubing that routes sounds down into the ear that connects to an ear tip or earmold to secure them in the ear canal. BTEs come in colors to blend with hair or skin tones, and even chrome colors, leopard print and other funky designs to suit personal styles. Different BTE sizes accommodate different features, controls, battery types and degrees of power (larger instruments generally have more power than smaller ones). While many people choose discreet BTEs that are unnoticeable when worn, others are tempted to show off the cool designs.

	Mini BTE with slim tube and tip Mini BTEs are designed to hide behind the outer ear, and have ultra-thin tubing to discreetly route sound into the ear. The tubing connects to a soft tip that sits in the ear canal but doesn’t occlude it. The result is a natural, open feeling as airflow and sound enter the ear naturally around the tip, while amplified sound enters through the tip. This is known as “open fitting” and is recommended for mild to moderate high frequency losses.
	Receiver in the ear (RITE) RITE models, also known as RIC (receiver-in-canal) models, are mini BTEs that have the speaker of the instrument incorporated in the ear tip, instead of in the main body of the instrument. RITE instruments fit mild to severe hearing losses. This hearing aid style looks similar to the Mini BTE when worn on the ear.
	BTE with earmold BTEs with earmolds fit mild through profound hearing losses. They’re longer shape, following the contour behind the outer ear, generally can house more features, controls, and power than custom models. The earmold color and style, as well as the wearer’s hairstyle, determine exactly how they’ll look on each person.

We repair all brands of hearing aids including analog, programmable and digital hearing aids.

Call (732) 982-4650 or e-mail Professional_Hearing and_Speech Center to ask about our hearing aids and discount battery plans.