Hearing Aids in Peoria, IL and Springfield, IL
Determining the Best Hearing Aids for Your Level of Hearing Loss
Keep in touch with friends and family with a hearing aid that’s made just for you. There are plenty of types and styles of hearing aids available. Each serves a slightly different function, and there’s no “best”: hearing aid. Rather, there’s the hearing aid that’s best for you based on your specific needs. A hearing aid that isn’t meant for your specific hearing needs simply won’t give you the results you desire. Therefore, each of our clients will get started with a hearing test.
Hearing aid technology has evolved dramatically in recent years. Today's devices are smaller, more powerful, and smarter than ever before. At Heart of Illinois Hearing, we partner with the world's leading manufacturers to offer a wide selection of advanced hearing aids designed to provide crystal-clear sound and a seamless listening experience. Contact our Peoria, IL or Springfield, IL location today to learn more about our selection of hearing aids or to schedule a fitting!
Which Types of Hearing Aids Are Best for Me?
The extent of your hearing loss, the size and shape of your ear canal, and your listening needs are the things to consider when deciding on hearing aids. After we perform your hearing test, we will recommend one of the following types of hearing aids.
BTE Hearing Aids
A behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid goes over the top of your ear and has a piece that’s placed behind it. Its tubes go to a customized earpiece that enhances sound. This type is designed for people of all ages suffering from moderate to severe hearing loss. Both putting it in and taking it out are simple. Most BTE hearing aids have wireless capability, so they can be connected to all electronic devices.
ITE Hearing Aids
There are two styles of in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids: half shell, which goes into the lower part of the ear, and full shell, which covers a large portion of the outer ear. Both can be worn by those suffering from mild to severe hearing loss. This type of hearing aid has volume control, along with a longer battery life than smaller types.
ITC Hearing Aids
This is a custom type of hearing aid that is specifically made for a certain ear shape. While a small part of the hearing aid can be seen, most of it is hidden. ITC hearing aids have wireless capability, so they can be connected to all electronic devices. Styles include completely-in-canal (CIC) hearing aids and invisible-in-canal (IIC) hearing aids. CIC hearing aids can be customized, and some people choose to give up wireless capability in order to preserve discreetness. IIC hearing aids go deep in the ear canal, so they’re basically invisible. All these types work well for those with mild to moderate hearing loss.
RIC Hearing Aids
With this type, also called receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) hearing aids, the speaker portion is placed in the ear canal, while the amplifier and microphone section go behind the ear. This allows each part to stay small, so everything can be easily hidden. This type has wireless capability and is often used for those suffering from moderate to severe hearing loss.
Middle Ear Implants
This is an option for those who cannot wear traditional hearing aids. During this procedure, a microphone is placed behind the ear and supported by a magnet that’s surgically implanted beneath the skin. The microphone converts sound into vibrations, which then go to a separate device surgically placed in the middle ear. This enhances hearing ability without the use of a speaker. This option is a good one for people who suffer from mild to moderate hearing loss. It can also work for people who have severe allergies, frequent ear infections, or very narrow ear canals.
Extended-Wear Hearing Aids
This type of hearing aid is placed deep in the ear canal. They can be worn for weeks and even months without removal. They work best in adults with moderate to severe sensorineural hearing loss. The placement deep in the ear canal cuts down on the distortion, feedback, wind noise, and occlusion typically experienced with hearing aids worn on the ear.
Why Should I Consider Digital Hearing Aids?
An analog hearing aid enhances sound so your ear receives it at a higher volume. A digital hearing aid works differently. It gets rid of background noises and frequencies that interfere with the sounds you’re trying to hear clearly.
Additional benefits of digital hearing aids include the following:
- They amplify speech while greatly cutting down on background noise, making it much easier for you to hear what you want.
- Greatly reduced feedback, which can often be an annoyance with analog hearing aids.
- Automatically adjusts the volume with the environment.
Do I Need Bluetooth Hearing Aids?
These days, most hearing aids on the market are equipped with Bluetooth technology, so they can be connected to electronic devices. Best of all, it makes for a longer battery life. Hearing aids are also available that allow for Bluetooth capability using an additional device called a streamer.
Aren’t All Hearing Aids Wireless?
Most hearing aids made these days don’t have any wires, cables, or cords that can be seen. The term “wireless,” therefore, refers to the hearing aid’s ability to communicate with other electronic devices. The hearing aids also have the capability to communicate with other hearing aids, which will benefit those who wear hearing aids in both ears. Hearing aids without wireless capability cannot communicate with other electronic devices or receive streaming audio.
Wireless hearing aids allow for the following:
- Hear speech, music, or sounds in both ears at the same time, even if only one aide picks it up to begin with.
- Easy volume changes using a button.
- Blocks out background noises that interfere with hearing ability.
- Customized settings depending upon the environment and situation around you.
- Listening on electronic devices directly through them.
- Increased TV volume for you and you alone.
- Better clarity in the sounds you want to hear.
- Remote control of volume and devices.
Are Hearing Aids Covered by Insurance?
It depends on what state you live in, as well as what your health insurance plan covers. Therefore, it’s best to contact your health insurance carrier to see exactly what your policy covers. If you need help, please let us know. It’s our goal to make hearing aids as affordable as possible for everyone.
Hearing Aid Brands
The right hearing aid depends on the type of hearing loss you’re suffering from, as well as what you want in one. Heart of Illinois Hearing supplies only the best hearing aid brands in the world, so our clients receive quality all the way around.
