Hearing Aids
Navigating the world of hearing aids can be quite overwhelming. There are a myriad of possibilities and decisions that lie ahead. Yost Hearing believes the journey to better hearing is unique and should be personalized for each individual. Your team at Yost Hearing will guide you along every step of the journey and prescribe your hearing aid treatment solution. This page acts as an informational kickstart to the process of narrowing down your options.
What Are Prescription Hearing Aids?
Prescription hearing aids offer a solution to treat the specific hearing health diagnosis of each individual. Hearing aids that are prescribed to a specific hearing loss will significantly expand the ability to hear and understand speech in a multitude of environments, which can improve communication, reduce social isolation, and improve overall quality of life. Unlike over-the-counter devices, prescription hearing aids are customized based on an audiogram that is obtained from a comprehensive hearing evaluation. The results measure the precise type, degree, and configuration of hearing loss. This personalization ensures that the volume and sound spectrum range are finely tuned to target a patient’s hearing profile, making sounds clearer and more organic.
The customization extends beyond just sound; the care plan from your team at Yost Hearing includes continuous aural rehabilitation and services. Hearing can change, and so can your individual needs or the environment you’re in. Regular follow-ups over time allow for the recalibration and reprogramming of the hearing aids to match these changes in your prescription.
A prescription hearing aid is above and beyond a one-size-fits-all solution; it's a top notch, personalized hearing treatment tool designed to achieve your specific hearing health needs, enhancing both daily functionality and personal connection with the world around you.
Hearing Aid Appearance, Fit, & Style
Today's hearing aids are designed with a more sleek and modern aesthetic compared to those of the past. The physical fit of a hearing aid has been researched to contour to your ear's shape, ensuring comfort and stability throughout your day. This approach means less irritation, better retention, and a more discreet appearance. Even the color of your hearing aid can be customized to match your skin tone or hair color, making the aid less noticeable if you desire. On the other hand, it can purposely match your own personal style to make a fashion statement.
Hearings aids are available in various styles, each designed to meet your personal preference, lifestyle need, and degree of your hearing loss. From the discreet models that sit comfortably inside the ear canal to those that rest behind the ear with a slightly noticeable presence, the current hearing aid marketplace offers something for every hearing treatment. The following section will highlight the styles of hearing aids available today, reviewing the features, benefits, and recommended patient profiles to help you or your loved ones make the best choice possible.
Receiver-In-Canal (RIC)
A popular style of hearing aid with a small shell that sits behind the ear and connects through a thin wire to the receiver that is placed in the ear canal. RICs offer both cosmetic appeal as well as function. RICs are generally more comfortable and offer superior sound quality. RIC hearing aids are less noticeable due to the way the hearing aid sits behind the ear. They are suitable for mild to severe hearing loss. RIC hearing aids typically use rechargeable batteries; however, a traditional zinc air battery can be used.
In-The-Canal (ITC)
ITCs fit partially in the canal, but not as deep as CIC hearing aids. ITCs are still very discreet. They can offer volume control and directional microphones to help in noisy environments. ITCs are used to treat mild to severe hearing loss. ITC hearing aids are custom made to the shape of an individual’s ear.
Behind-The-Ear (BTE)
BTE hearing aids sit behind the ear with a clear tube that connects to a custom-molded earmold that sits in the ear. The BTE design is generally worn by moderate to profound hearing loss patients or children. BTE hearing aids tend to be very durable as there are no electronic components inside of the ear canal. BTEs are easier to handle for those with dexterity issues. BTEs also have a larger battery which equates to longer battery life. BTEs can also have rechargeable batteries.
Completely-In-Canal (CIC)
CIC hearing aids are nearly invisible. They fit deep in the ear canal and are used to treat mild to moderate hearing loss. CIC hearing aids are custom made to the shape of a patient’s ear. CICs are an option for those who value aesthetics over features like: battery life, directional microphones, noise reduction, and other advance controls. CICs are not suitable for those with a history of earwax or dexterity issues.
In-The-Ear (ITE)
ITEs sit entirely in the outer part of the ear rather than the ear canal. ITE’s are custom made to the shape of an individual’s outer ear. All the components of the hearing aid are housed in a customized shell. It is larger in size compared to ITC or CIC and usually has a larger battery. This style is easier to handle especially for patients with dexterity issues. ITEs can accommodate mild to severe hearing loss. ITEs use either traditional zinc air batteries or are rechargeable.
Prescription Hearing Aid Technology Levels
Your team at Yost Hearing realizes that the technology on the inside of the hearing aid matters just as much (if not more) than the appearance, fit, or style on the outside of a hearing aid. Hearing aid technology has transformed significantly in recent years, offering a range of options to treat different hearing needs and lifestyles.
Hearing aids are classically grouped into tiered technology levels, each intended to provide different features and performance capabilities. Reviewing all the level options can help you select hearing aid technology that balances functionality with your budget, ensuring the optimal solution for your hearing needs. The technology level you choose can significantly impact your journey to better hearing. Your team at Yost Hearing offers three levels of technology.
Budget Technology
Budget hearing aids offer the basic features and functionality in regards to technology. The budget level of technology is designed to meet only the minimum needs of patients with mild to moderate hearing loss. Budget hearing aids focus simply on basic amplification without many of the cutting-edge capabilities found in the higher-end models. Budget hearing aids are best suited for people who are often in quieter environments as they do not offer sophisticated noise reduction and directionality compared to other models. Budget aids tend to have fewer advanced features. Budget hearing aids tend to use older or dated hearing aid technology. Patients consistently prefer the sound quality of higher-level hearing aid technology.
Standard Technology
Standard hearing aid technology is the preferred choice compared to the budget technology. Standard devices typically offer more than just basic amplification, incorporating some essential features that improve sound quality, comfort, and functionality in a variety of listening environments. Standard hearing aids will have a more natural clear sound quality compared to budget aids. Standard hearing aids have the same processing platform as premium technology and some of the same features. However, standard aids will have less channels and the features will have fewer options compared to the premium technology aids. For example, both technology levels may have noise control, but it would just be off or on in standard vs. premium having a low, medium, high or automatic setting. Standard aids are appropriate for patients who are in quiet and occasionally noisy environments.
Premium Technology
Leave no doubt, premium hearing aids offer the highest level of performance. The superior adaptability within challenging listening environments is phenomenal. Premium technology is the most innovative and feature-rich hearing aid solution available on the market. Hearing aids at the premium technology level are designed for individuals with a wide range of hearing treatment needs, providing the best sound quality, customization, and convenience. Premium hearing aids’ directionality and binaural features are superb. Patients fitted with this level of technology will enjoy premium noise control features including the most background noise reduction. This truly is the most “automatic” technology level.
In essence, premium hearing aids lead in performance, flexibility, and user experience, making them ideal for patients who need the most advanced features to improve hearing in all types of environments. This hearing aid is for patients who want the top-notch in clarity and speech understanding. Premium technology is recommended for patients who are in multiple competitive listening environments, such as active individuals, business professionals, or those in social environments.
Bonus Features
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Today’s hearing aids can be connected to a plethora of devices to stream audio directly into your ears. This is a huge benefit for people who are hard of hearing. For example, a smart phone is a great accessory that can be used with a hearing aid. This technology allows the wearer to hear a phone conversation in both ears instead of only one. Also, if you like audio books or watching movies or shows, they also can be streamed directly into the hearing aids. In addition, hearing aid apps allow the user to make real time adjustments to the hearing aids. Adjustments could consist of volume, preset sound environment programs, and directing the microphone. The tracking of data usage is quite beneficial as well. Analyzing listening patterns and environments in which hearing aids are utilized can assist your team at Yost Hearing and in-turn your total patient experience.
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Hearing aids have the ability to be rechargeable. Rechargeability prevents the constant cost of buying of new batteries. Hearing aids would come with a charging case or docking station to place the hearing aids in for a few hours or even overnight to recharge. In addition to cost savings, rechargeable hearing aids keep you updated to the status of the internal batteries. Therefore, you never have to worry about running out of batteries or not having any at an inopportune time. Last but not least, the rechargeability feature within hearing aids has been found to provide extra convenience by avoiding the constant maintenance of changing the batteries, especially for those with dexterity issues.
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Earmolds are customized by taking impressions of your ears. Earmolds are specifically designed to fit your ear canal to ensure both comfort and durability - keeping the canal clean and dry. Earmolds direct sound from the hearing aid straight into the ear canal, improving sound quality and clarity. Additionally, feedback is reduced by creating a tight fit to help contain sound. Like hearing aids, earmolds can be styled in various colors or designs for a personalized look.
Brands
Yost Hearing has recognized the following hearing aid manufacturers below for excellence in the industry. These elite brands are renowned for their superior sound quality, design innovation, and continuous technological advancements. Your team at Yost Hearing believes that each patient's hearing loss is unique, shaped by their personal history and preferences. Yost Hearing is always focused on what's best for the patient. This commitment ensures individuals visiting the clinic have access to an assortment of options. Hearing aids will always be available that not only address auditory needs, but also align with desired appearance, fit, and style into the future.
Ways to Experience The Yost Hearing Difference
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Daily Walk-In Clinic
Your convenient, in-person, no-appointment-needed hearing health care experience.
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Flexible Appointment Hours
Your in-person hearing health care experience with a dedicated appointment time slot with your audiologist.
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Daily Drive-Thru Services
Your convenient, in-person, hearing health care experience without leaving the comforts of your vehicle.