Audiologist in St. George, UT – Hearing Aid Types
If you are considering hearing aids to treat your hearing loss, you’ll probably want to understand the different types available on the market. While all hearing aids use the same basic parts to carry sounds from the environment to your ear and amplify them, they differ in design and features. Our audiologist in St. George, UT, explains more below.
How Do They Work?
Most hearing aids are digital, though they may have a traditional (replaceable) battery or a rechargeable battery. The devices contain small microphones that collect sounds from the environment, in which a computer chip converts into digital code. The chip analyzes and adjusts the sound based on your level and type of hearing loss, listening needs, and the loudness of the sounds in your environment. Amplified signals are then converted back into sound waves and delivered to your ears through receivers (small speakers).
Different Types
Some different types of hearing aids on the market include:
- In-the-canal: these fit in the ear canal and are less visible than larger styles. They are a good choice for mild to moderate hearing loss.
- Behind-the-ear: a larger hearing aid that hooks behind your ear. An ear mold fits inside your ear canal and connects to a tube to help all levels of hearing loss.
- In-the-ear: a larger hearing aid that can help with mild to severe hearing loss and fills the bowl of your outer ear.
- Completely in-canal: fit inside the ear canal and are the least visible hearing aid for mild to moderate hearing loss.
- Receiver-in-ear: similar to behind-the-ear hearing aids but a wire is used instead of a tube to connect the earpiece to the speaker.
Other Features
Certain brands and types of hearing aids may feature rechargeable batteries, enhanced noise reduction, and directional microphones for improved sound pickup. Directional microphones help reduce sounds behind or beside you and some may focus in one direction to improve your hearing in environments with a lot of background noise.
Our audiologist will discuss which option is best for you during your consultation for hearing aids!
Contact Our Audiologist in St. George, UT, to Learn More!
To find out more, contact us at any of the numbers below. Our friendly team will answer any questions you may have about hearing aids or scheduling a consultation.
St. George, Utah: 435-256-8596
Richfield, Utah: 435-304-6165
Cedar City, Utah: 435-233-6889
https://www.intermountainaudiology.com/main/