BEHIND-THE-EAR ( BTE )
This style places the circuitry behind the ear, and is designed to meet the widest range of hearing impairment from mild to profound. The BTE is an excellent choice for those with draining ears, waxy ears and small ear canals.

IN-THE-EAR (ITE )
This style is custom made to fit your entire ear with no wires or tubes attached. The size of the ITE is a good choice for those with dexterity and numbness problems in the hands and fingers. Directional microphones can easily be mounted on this model.

IN-THE-CANAL (ITC)
This style offers more concealment than the ITE. It fits down in the canal of your ear and is relatively unnoticeable. The ITC is an excellent alternative for those who cannot be fit with a CIC due to ear size and hand dexterity.

COMPLETELY-IN-THE-CANAL (CIC)
This style offers the ultimate in concealment. However, this style requires good hand dexterity. The smaller size has greater battery consumption and is more delicate, requiring more repairs.

OPEN FIT (OPEN)
This style combines the occlusion-free properties of a BTE hearing aid with the sound quality and cosmetic benefis of a CIC. This style has proven quite effective in eliminating the plugged-up feeling individuals get from wearing traditional hearing aids.

Some patients who come to Asheville Audiology Services to discuss wearing digital hearing aids think that all digital hearing aids are the same. In fact, most consumers think that if the hearing aid is digital, it is the best hearing aid available. There's no question that digital is the best and the benefits far outweigh hearing aids of the past, including analog and programmable; however, not all digital hearing aids are created equal.

Digital technology refers to how the hearing aid handles sound information. Digital hearing aids by definition convert sounds into a series of numbers (binary code in computer language) that measure and reprocess frequency, pitch and volume of sound before converting them back to an analog signal. Processing of the sound is very precise and certain qualities of the signal can be changed (or adjusted by the audiologist through a sophisticated programmer) based on the patient's variation of hearing loss and specific hearing needs.

Digital hearing aids come in three technological varieties: premium, mid-range and basic. Although they are all digital by design, and offer the purest clarity in sound reproduction, each performs differently based on the added features incorporated into the microchip. Let's review from the top down.

Premium digital hearing aids contain multiple channels and, by design, the most features. The more challenging the hearing environment such as noise, the greater your need is for this level of technology. Deciding factors include the severity of your hearing loss, what kind of lifestyle you lead (is it highly social or relatively inactive?) and, most importantly, what you can afford. Today's premium digital hearing aids cost upwards of several thousand dollars for a pair. That's because these hearing instruments have the most accurate sound reproduction, the most advanced noise reduction systems, feedback control and directional sound locator features. The advanced circuitry in premium digital hearing aids automatically intensifies and enhances speech sounds over noise. For instance, the Senso Inteo, a popular selling hearing aid at our office, is equipped with 15 channels that can be adjusted independently, integrated signal processing, advanced noise locating, speech enhancing and feedback cancelling feature. The Inteo can locate a background noise source, analyze it, minimize and reduce it so the noise doesn't interfere with your listening in a conversation. This is an excellent hearing aid for just about every listening situation, and it is priced accordingly to its level of technology.

Mid-range digital hearing aids are also popular not only because of their price but for the original digital features. Remember, mid-range instruments used to be the most advanced digital hearing aids several years ago when digital first revolutionized the industry. Mid-range digital hearing aids provide excellent sound quality in most, but not all, listening situations. In many ways, mid-range digital has replaced programmable-analog hearing aids of yesteryear. Many come equipped with feedback and noise reduction systems, as well as speech enhancement for better clarifying soft sounds, but in the world of digital microchips the circuitry is not as resilient or advanced as the premium models.

If you want the clarity of digital for hearing needs such as watching TV or listening in one-on-one conversations, then the basic digital is for you. Many of our homebound elderly patients who simply enjoy talking with family and friends, and need an inexpensive aid for their hearing, choose this line of digital. And we recommend it over the traditional analog because it is digital. These hearing aids are considered low cost because they are affordably priced. Some added features include a longer battery life and optional volume control.

Premium, mid-range and basic digital hearing aids come in all the popular styles, including in-the-ear, traditional behind-the-ear, and the open behind-the ear.. We hope that this information helps you get a better idea of the three digital technologies available. If you know someone who is considering a hearing aid purchase, then pass this information on to them. We look forward to fitting you or a friend with the most appropriate digital hearing aid.