Alan Aaronson Hearing Aids

Which Digital Hearing Aids are best for you?

noreply@blogger.com (Chris Buckley) — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 07:45:00 +0000

Digital hearing aids are an important part of life for many people, especially when they are older. However, not all hearing aids are the same.

The type of hearing aid you need would depend on your lifestyle, and the degree of hearing loss that you experienced. There are some digital hearing aids that can completely fit in the ear canal, so that it barely visible from the outside. The biggest advantage is that, as they look. They are very discreet, that there is no doubt. However, these hearing aids are usually suitable for people with mild or moderate hearing loss

These in-ear hearing aids are sometimes limited, as many of their limited size of the more advanced hearing aid features, such as preventing, for example, that two integrated microphones and Telecoil. The hearing aid market is far better than the completely in the canal hearing aid capability. Another type of hearing aid is one that partly fits into the ear canal (ITC).

This style is hardly noticeable, but keep the important features that many people are looking at the latest digital hearing aids. Some of these hearing aids with a remote control with which you can get the volume and other advanced features of your digital hearing aid.

The newest and most exciting developments in hearing aid technology is the open ear hearing aid, including Rite in the ear (receiving) technology. This open ear digital hearing aids are incredibly discreet and wonderfully clear sound, largely problem-free and very easy and comfortable. These open ear hearing aids usually consist of a small “pod” Sitting at the tip of the ear that runs most of the houses of the components and the battery, a small thin wire from that into the ear, and a soft rubber-like dome that houses the speaker unit and gives the sound directly to the ear with a cozy and comfortable amenities.

There are also digital hearing aids, which fill the entire ear (full-shell), which is the same work as do the ITC hearing aid, but generally a larger hearing aids use batteries, so that the longer life of the battery. These are not as discrete as the previously mentioned hearing aids.

The last conventional hearing aid style is a BTE (behind the ear), which are the traditional hearing aid is adaptation, and style, from the NHS in Britain would. These are pretty big hearing aids, sitting at the top of the ear with a hose and a form sitting in the ear. These are the most conspicuous hearing aids, but for some people with severe or profound hearing loss, they can choose the best digital hearing aid.

More Hearing Loss & Hearing Aid information

noreply@blogger.com (Chris Buckley) — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 18:02:00 +0000

Hearing Problems

If you can identify with one of the following then we can help YOU!

Do You Have Difficulty Hearing in Noisy Situations?
Do You Hear People Speaking But Have Difficulty Understanding the Words
Do You Have Difficulty Understanding on the Phone?
Do You Have To Turn Up the Television and Radio So It's Too Loud For Others?
Haven't Had a Hearing Test in Over a Year?

What You Should Know

Hearing loss developed later in life, comes on slowly, is permanent, and often gets gradually worse.
Most of these losses can be helped effectively by individually selected prescribed and fitted hearing aids.
Some adults can have their hearing corrected by an ENT surgeon, so it is important to have an evaluation to make this determination.

It is typical for individuals with a mild to moderate hearing loss to be unaware of their problem, even though family and friends are quite aware of it.

Most hearing professionals believe that hearing loss in older adults is the accumulation of two or more causes, such as exposure to loud noises and family history or simply the natural aging process.

Hearing loss is invisible and almost always painless. There are no physical warning signs, except in some cases there may be ringing in the ear(s). But the real reason hearing loss "sneaks" up on you is that the change is so gradual. Most hearing losses develop over a period of 25-30 years. By age 50 or 60, there can be enough deterioration to interfere with conversation.

Hearing loss can prevent the quality of life you've hoped for. It can restrict your ability to interact with others, prevent you from hearing important information, cause misunderstandings, heighten stress, cause unnecessary fatigue and filter out the subtle sounds of nature. Don't let poor hearing make you miss out on the many good and vital messages of life.

Introduction to Hearing Aids

noreply@blogger.com (Chris Buckley) — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 18:59:00 +0000

A Hearing Aid is a small electronic device that you wear in or behind your ear. Hearing Aids make some sounds louder so that a person with hearing loss can listen, communicate, and participate more fully in daily activities. A hearing aid can help people hear more in both quiet and noisy situations. However, only about one out of five people who would benefit from a Hearing Aid actually uses a Hearing Aid.

More About Hearing Aids

A Hearing Aid has three basic parts: a microphone, amplifier, and speaker. The Hearing Aid receives sound through a microphone, which converts the sound waves to electrical signals and sends them to an amplifier. The amplifier increases the power of the signals and then sends them to the ear through a speaker.

How can Hearing Aids help?

Hearing aids are primarily useful in improving the hearing and speech comprehension of people who have hearing loss that results from damage to the small sensory cells in the inner ear, called hair cells. This type of hearing loss is called sensorineural hearing loss. The damage can occur as a result of disease, aging, or injury from noise or certain medicines.

A Hearing Aid magnifies sound vibrations entering the ear. Surviving hair cells detect the larger vibrations and convert them into neural signals that are passed along to the brain. The greater the damage to a person's hair cells, the more severe the hearing loss, and the greater the Hearing Aid amplification needed to make up the difference. However, there are practical limits to the amount of amplification a Hearing Aid can provide. In addition, if the inner ear is too damaged, even large vibrations will not be converted into neural signals. In this situation, a Hearing Aid would be ineffective.

How can I find out if I need a Hearing Aid?

If you think you might have hearing loss and could benefit from a Hearing Aid, visit your physician, who may refer you to an otolaryngologist or audiologist. An otolaryngologist is a physician who specializes in ear, nose, and throat disorders and will investigate the cause of the hearing loss. An audiologist is a hearing health professional who identifies and measures hearing loss and will perform a hearing test to assess the type and degree of loss.

You and your audiologist should select a Hearing Aid that best suits your needs and lifestyle. Price is also a key consideration because Hearing Aid range from hundreds to several thousand dollars. Similar to other equipment purchases, style and features affect cost. However, don't use price alone to determine the best Hearing Aid for you. Just because one Hearing Aid d is more expensive than another does not necessarily mean that Hearing Aid will better suit your needs.

The Hearing Aid that will work best for you depends on the kind and severity of your hearing loss. If you have a hearing loss in both of your ears, two Hearing Aids are generally recommended because two Hearing Aids provide a more natural signal to the brain. Hearing in both ears also will help you understand speech and locate where the sound is coming from.

A Hearing Aid will not restore your normal hearing. With practice, however, a Hearing Aid will increase your awareness of sounds and their sources. You will want to wear your Hearing Aid regularly, so select a Hearing Aid that is convenient and easy for you to use.

Other features to consider include parts or services covered by the Hearing Aid warranty, estimated schedule and costs for maintenance and repair, options and upgrade opportunities, and the Hearing Aid company's reputation for quality and customer service.

Causes of hearing loss

noreply@blogger.com (Chris Buckley) — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 18:51:00 +0000

Hearing loss can be the result of damage to any one of the following sections.

Causes in the outer ear

Typical problems with the outer ear (A) include ear wax plugs and infections of the auditory canal. Usually, addressing these problems is very easy. However it is important to act quickly in order to avoid hearing damage.

Causes in the middle ear

Inflammation, fluid behind the eardrum, perforations of the eardrum and otosclerosis (a stiffening of the bones in the middle ear) are the most common problems to interfere with middle ear (B) function.

Most outer and middle ear problems can be addressed effectively with medication or surgery. If this is not possible, permanent hearing loss can be compensated with a hearing aid in most cases.

Causes in the inner ear

The majority of hearing issues concern the inner ear (C). The most common cause is the natural aging process. But loud noise, taking some types of medication, and skull fractures can also have a negative influence on a person's hearing ability.

These influences damage the fine hair cells and affect the transmission of signals to the auditory nerves. Usually, inner ear hearing loss cannot be addressed medically. However, this type of hearing loss can be corrected with a hearing aid in most cases.

Damage to the inner ear, is called sensorineural hearing loss. Hearing loss caused by an outer or middle ear defect is called conductive hearing loss. If both types occur together, the condition is called mixed hearing loss.

So How Does The Whole Hearing Aid Process Work

noreply@blogger.com (Mark Farrell) — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 20:05:00 +0000

If you have hearing difficulties then no doubt you will have either booked yourself in with a local audiologist or an audiologist will be coming to your for a home visit. If you have never had a hearing test before you may be wondering what makes up a consultation. There are subtle differences between the more conventional consultation where you visit a clinic and the home visit consultation. The main difference being the equipment used. This article will take you step by step through a typical hearing aid consultation and what happens next.

First consultation

Your audiologist will first make a thorough examination of the ear canal before asking you to enter their sound proof booth for some audiometric testing. This part of it may be slightly different with a home visit as the audiologist will not be able to take a sound proof booth with them everywhere they go.

Following your examination your audiologist will explain your results. A good audiologist will explain your results in great detail so if you don’t understand then don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Once you know your results you will receive a recommendation on which type of hearing aid will best suit your needs dependant on various considerations. Lifestyle is a big one in terms of, do you work in particularly loud and noisy environment in which the aid will have to cope? Cosmetic feel is another as some people are more conscious of how their aid will look to other people. Will you need an automatic device or will it be better if you have a remote control aid. There are many more considerations but the three previously mentioned are definitely the most popular.

Fitting

Your hearing aids will be expertly programmed by the audiologist based on your results and level of hearing loss. As with most new equipment a complete run down of how exactly the device works will follow. Most people expect a lot from a hearing aid so your expectations will be dealt with at this stage and the audiologist will tell you exactly what you can expect from your new aid. Usually with good hearing centres you will receive at least a forty day trial period whereby you can get used to your new instrument.

Follow Up Visits

These are vitally important as it is at this stage when your device will be fine tuned based on your experience since fitting. People are usually called for their follow up appointments within a few weeks of the fitting.

Aftercare is what separates good hearing centres from bad hearing centres. First class aftercare is what you are looking for especially as your hearing is so essential to your well being. If you can come back to the centre to ask questions or have your device tweaked then this will make you feel more re assured that you are being looked after properly. Always check what assort of guarantee you get with your hearing aid. Your device will be covered by the manufacturers guarantee for an agreed period of time so its always worth checking just how long this is.

There are probably lots more little points that haven’t been covered in this article that you would experience during the whole hearing aid process and the above procedure will differ between hearing aid centres but serves as a good guide so you are not going into the whole thing blind.

The Hearing Aid That Saved My Life

noreply@blogger.com (Mark Farrell) — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 09:11:00 +0000

That is probably a bold statement saying that a hearing aid saved my life. I did not mean that literally rather that as soon as I received my latest hearing instrument my quality of life improved one hundred percent. Hearing aid technology has moved on significantly and is now more advanced than ever which is why I have decided to tell the world about the wonderful Audeo Smart hearing instrument.

Sound recovery technology

The sound recovery technology has been built in to this instrument to allow users to be able to experience everyday sounds that other devices may not allow. Subtle sounds such as singing birds or whispering conversations. Its such a joy to be able to hear my wife when she whispers sweet nothings in my ear again and is something that should be rolled out to all hearing aids.

Speech zooming

Another big flaw of some other hearing aids is the ability to help improve hearing in noisy environments. As the shape of this model is slightly different than other conventional aids, combined with the latest in built audio processing chip I can now hear people much clearer even in busy environments like a football match. Maybe not so well in a nightclub or concert but in generally noisier environments and not extremely noisy environments the sound quality is excellent.

Size

This is the smallest hearing aid I have ever used so I can say without a shadow of doubt that my confidence has improved vastly. I can only put this down to the fact that unless you are really looking for it or know its there you probably wont be able to see it. I say that but as they come in all sorts of different colours I suppose it depends on which colour you choose.

Flexibility

You have the ability to make changes to the device dependant on your situation. You have greater control over your hearing experience. The aid can be controlled directly using the device or by a clever remote control. The remote control is a wonderful idea as no longer do I have to stop somebody in mid conversation whilst I fiddle with my hearing aid just so I can hear them better. I just use the remote discretely in my pocket to adjust the instrument until I can hear more clearly.

Im sure there are many more benefits to this device but speaking from experience being able to hear better in noisy environments, hearing subtle sounds and being able to adjust quality more discretely have helped improve my daily life greatly. There are lots of other hearing aids out there and its really a personal choice and although I will never hear the same as I did before I have hearing difficulties this device has helped hugely.

Mobile Audiology. Is It The Future?

noreply@blogger.com (Mark Farrell) — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 22:16:00 +0000

No longer do you have to make an appointment to go and see your local audiologist and then have to travel all the way down to wherever it is their office is to get your hearing aids. This may sound silly but more and more audiology hearing centres are now coming out to you rather than the other way round. Mobile audiology, is it the future?

It is common practise for audiologists to work out of different centres whilst having a base where they store all of their big bulky fixed equipment whilst using smaller mobile equipment out of their satellite offices. It was only a matter of time before they moved on and made the next logical step and do house calls especially if they already have the equipment. This service will suit some people but not others and this article outlines the advantages and disadvantages of using a mobile service over the more conventional method of booking an appointment and getting there yourself.

Convenience (Advantage)

By far the biggest advantage of using a mobile service over more conventional methods is convenience. The old method of having to battle either public transport, the elements or the ever busier roads can be eliminated completely and you can just sit back make yourself a nice cup of tea in the comfort of your own home and let the audiologist do all the hard work and come to you.

A more personal service (Advantage)

Hearing aid consultations are very personal in the first place but anything that is performed in your own home immediately becomes even more personal. This is a huge advantage as will give you an opportunity to build a better working relationship with your audiologist. The better the audiologist knows you the better his or service will be. Unfortunately a more personal service will not change any diagnosis but it will help when delivering it good or bad.

Easier for Older People (Advantage)

This could have probably come under the convenience part but in some cases not being able to travel because of age or medical condition it becomes less of a convenience factor and more of a necessity. The majority of hearing aid wearers are people of a certain age who may struggle travelling long or short distances or simply just might not be able to. A mobile service to this group of people is a huge advantage as it allows them to obtain treatment that they may not have been able to otherwise.

Price (Disadvantage)

As with everything that is convenient to the end user it usually comes at a cost. Mobile hearing aid consultations usually come at a price. Why you ask? The simple answer is time. If you require the audiologist to come to you then you need to cover all of his costs and one of those will include travel time. He or she couldn’t possibly travel without building in some travel costs so expect this when considering using this service. Just as you, can make better use of your time whilst waiting for your hearing consultation the audiologist will have to be compensated for loss of earnings due to travel. All that said for such a first class convenient service it is well worth that little bit extra.

All in all mobile hearing aid consultations seem to be a better option as long as you can afford the slightly higher than normal costs. As it becomes more popular we will no doubt see a reduction in costs as competition becomes more widespread. Certainly for older people and people who cannot walk or travel very well this service is an excellent idea and will continue to expand until it becomes common practise.

Hearing Aid Jargon Explained

noreply@blogger.com (Mark Farrell) — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 21:54:00 +0000

The hearing aids world as with most medical practises is full of jargon that normal people just do not understand. If you know what your audiologist is talking about you will feel more comfortable about the whole process. A good audiologist will explain everything he or she is talking about anyway but it never hurts to go to an appointment armed with as much information as possible. Hopefully this article will explain what some of the jargon you would hear during a hearing examination actually means.

There are various different styles of hearing instruments out there which are specifically designed for different uses.

CIC

A CIC hearing instrument is a device that fits completely in the canal. This type of device would suit somebody who is significantly more self conscious about having a hearing aid in the first place. As it sits deep in the canal unless you are really looking out for a hearing aid you probably would not even notice there was one there.

ITC

An ITC hearing aid fits in the canal but does not go completely down the canal and is slightly visible. An in the canal device although still visible is a lot less noticeable than older models.

ITE

An ITE or in the ear hearing aid fills the inner ear completely. This style is very popular within the ear defender and hearing protection world. Most musicians where ear defenders when performing and are usually custom built to fit their ear perfectly. This type of hearing device as with all other models is no different in as much as it is custom built to fit snugly in your whole ear. The entire device is contained within the ear and is easily noticble.

BTE

The BTE behind the ear device is probably the type of hearing aid that springs to mind when somebody first mentions the word hearing aid. This is because this type of aid was extremely popular in the past and works by having part of the instrument in the ear with a tube to the receiver module that sits behind the ear.

RITE

The newest member to the hearing aid family as of writing this article is the rite hearing aid or receiver in the ear hearing aid. It has similar characteristics to the BTE in as much as it also has a tube that leads behind the ear. The difference here is that the receiver actually sits within the ear canal. The external tube is also much thinner giving the whole device a much more natural and un-noticeable feel.

Technology is moving extremely fast and new hearing aids are being developed all of the time. The hearing aid world has evolved quite drastically since the first hearing aid hit our streets. No longer do people have to feel embarrassed about having to use a hearing device as no doubt there will be a device certainly from the list above that will suit just about anybodies personal needs.

New Tinnitus information page

noreply@blogger.com (Chris Buckley) — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 16:41:00 +0000

Tinnitus is the term for noises heard 'in the ear or ears' or 'in the head' when no obvious source of sound is apparent. The noises are usually described as ringing, whistling, hissing, buzzing or humming.

We've just launched a new page with information all about Tinnitus - "What it is", "What causes it", and "What to do if you think you have Tinnitus".

Click here to read the full article on Tinnitus.

The Thought Process Behind Better Hearing

noreply@blogger.com (Jamie Lyons) — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 15:33:00 +0000

Most people with hearing difficulties have to take the leap at some point in their life and make the decision to get a hearing instrument of some description. In order to ensure that they are fitted with the most suitable instrument for their ailment there are a number of processes to conduct. This article describes the thought process that people will go through before getting their ideal hearing aid in three easy steps:

Admitting There is A Problem

In some cases individuals will be reluctant to admit that they have hearing issues but before they can get any help they need to be fairly certain that their hearing needs looking at. There are lots of online tests that can be taken to establish roughly if there is a problem but usually if any of the following apply you should really be seeking help from a local audiologist:

• People appear to be mumbling.
• You ask people to repeat themselves a lot.
• The television, radio or telephone needs to be louder for you than anybody else.
• You have to face the person speaking to you so that you can make out everything they are saying.
• You have trouble understanding somebody when there is back ground noise.

The above five pointers are useful in assessing whether a hearing issue is present, but in the case of online hearing tests there are no universal parameters so variations in diagnosis are prevalent. The general rule of thumb however, is that if you are even considering the fact that you may need your ears checking then there is a high probability that you do.

Progressing to Professional Assistance

The next step to better hearing is deciding to visit an audiologist. An audiologist is a medical professional who has trained specifically in the hearing sector. Currently in the UK there are three ways to become a registered audiologist and this begins by obtaining either a:

• BSc degree in Audiology
• MSc in Audiology
• Post Graduate diploma in audiology

Once one of the above four year qualifications has been completed they are then eligible to become registered with the Council for Clinical Physiologists.

Once registered with the Council for Clinical Physiologists full audiologist status is obtained and with it comes the entitlement to diagnose and prescribe auditory aids. Things to look out for when selecting an audiologist include qualifications, years of experience and past employment. Any audiologist worth their salt should have no problem selling them self and certainly no problem offering up this information.

Finding the Right Audiologist

Now that you are armed with the information on what an audiologist is and what sort of qualifications they should have you need to find one close enough to you for you to book an appointment. With over 90% of the world population turning to the internet for help in this situation, a search engine is a logical place to start. A simple search for ‘Audiologist’ and your local area or ‘hearing aids’ and your local area should bring you up a list of local practitioners.

Having found the website of a local audiologist and concluded that their credentials and experience are acceptable it is time to make an appointment.

To summarise, in order to find the best hearing aid to suit your needs you need to first of all admit there is a problem, find out what makes a good audiologist and then go and locate a suitable audiologist in your local area. It is also prudent to opt for an audiologist that is independent and consequently not tied to one particular brand of hearing aid as if he or she is they will only be able to advise on a limited number of instruments.

Common misspellings of Alan Aaronson / Aronson

noreply@blogger.com (Chris Buckley) — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 13:35:00 +0000

If you are looking for Alan Aaronson Hearing Centre's then you have come to the right place. Please click here to visit our full home page.

Common mispellings of our name include "aronson", "aaronsen", "aaronsen" etc. Our name is spelt Alan Aaronson.

Regards,

Alan Aaronson Hearing Centres

Hearing Aid manufacturers that we supply

noreply@blogger.com (Chris Buckley) — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 11:44:00 +0000

Being a totally independent organisation, we have no manufacturer tie-ins, and can supply hearing instruments from all of the major brands such as:

As well those above, we also supply hearing instruments from other companies such as Starkey Labs, Widex, Bernafon, Unitron and many more. We pride ourselves on our ability to give you the very best advice we can, and from our 13 years of experience in the industry, we have earned a reputation for quality.

So whether it's a Phonak Audeo Smart that you require, or an Oticon Epoq, we can recommend the very best instrument for you.

An Introduction to Digital Hearing Aids

noreply@blogger.com (Jamie Lyons) — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 15:25:00 +0000

Historically hearing aids were cumbersome yet fiddly pieces of equipment which had to be persistently tweaked and adjusted in order to be of any benefit to the user. From memories of older generations struggling with the inadequate auditory devices through to comic sketches and scenes of the ilk of Fawlty Towers, the hearing aid has been a long maligned and ridiculed device due to its multitudinous shortcomings and unsightly appearance. This negative image extends to the modern day, with the American National Institute of Health claiming that only 1 in 5 of individuals who require a hearing aid actually use one. This fact leads those involved in the industry to the conclusion that the majority of the public are not aware just how much hearing aid technology has advanced over the past decade.

Traditional hearing aids operated with analogue technology, which simply served to amplify sound and in doing so, hopefully aid the wearer in picking up all sound. The controls were limited to minor tweaks in frequency or volume. As such, in noisy environments the hearing aid was essentially useless, as it would generally increase the volume of the background noise in proportion to the volume increase in the sound source the wearer was hoping to hear. Equally, the extent to which a hearing aid could be attuned to boost or cut out specific frequencies was very limited.

In the present day, digital hearing aids are considerably more prominent. Digital hearing aids are literally worlds apart from the analogue behemoths of the past. Coming in various shapes and sizes, ranging from behind the ear models which feature Bluetooth connectivity with mobile phones to virtually invisible in the ear models which are fully contained within the auditory canal and consequently, incredibly discreet: the aesthetic aspect of hearing aids has changed drastically. This major reduction in size is a mere bonus however; the real progress lies in the effectiveness of digital aids in comparison to analogue hearing aids.

Digital hearing aids utilise incredibly sophisticated microchips which can be programmed to perfectly compensate for a specific individuals hearing deficiency. By running a series of cutting edge tests, an experienced audiologist is able to diagnose which frequencies an individual has trouble hearing, and using a computer, instruct the hearing aid to compensate for the hearing loss in these frequency ranges. By programming the hearing aid in such a meticulous and personalised manner, the device becomes an invaluable means of improving the overall hearing experience rather than an unsightly amplifier and troublesome burden.

Oticon Dual hearing aid information

noreply@blogger.com (Chris Buckley) — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 13:51:00 +0000

Here's the full spec and products of the Oticon Dual taken from Oticon.com:

With Dual, great sound never looked better.

When you’re active and outgoing, you need a flexible hearing aid that offers the best sound quality in a wide variety of listening situations.

Conventional hearing aids force you to choose: Great looks or great performance. But why make that choice at all? With its high-tech elegance and the benefits of natural sound quality, Oticon Dual is designed to please inside and out.

You can get near natural hearing!

While standard devices work independently, a pair of Oticon Duals works together and present sounds in a balanced and natural way. We call this Spatial Sound.

Spatial Sound is to hearing devices what high-definition digital imaging is to TVs. Extra “audio pixels” provide so much detail that you can locate and identify sounds without having to think twice about it. Your reactions will be faster and more instinctive.

With Dual your life will no longer be ruled by your hearing loss. You will be in charge once more.

But don’t just listen to us – listen to Dual!

Dual Benefits

Dual captures a wider range of sounds than any other traditional devices on the market - particularly in the high frequencies. Speech will sound clearer and music far richer. You’ll also have a much better idea of where you are in relation to people and objects in your environment.

With Spatial Sound you can:

• enjoy dining out in busy restaurants
• communicate clearly and with confidence at meetings
• instinctively look the right way if a car is approaching from behind or someone starts to speak

Experience Spatial Sound

It’s not about being old - it’s about being smart
Oticon ConnectLine helps you make the most of today’s technologies. A smart optional device, called the Streamer ,picks up the sound from your mobile phone, landline phone, TV or mp3 player, and sends it straight into both ears.

There is a Dual just for you
From size and colour to performance, accessories and settings, a pair of Duals can be completely customized to fit your personal preferences and level of experience with hearing devices. Among the benefits are:

• a great design that’s almost invisible behind the ear
• lots of trendy colours to match your hair or skin tone

The RITE Style

Rather than putting the speaker in the hearing aid, Oticon Dual places it snugly in your ear. The “Receiver-in-the-Ear” concept makes Oticon Dual look virtually invisible - and sound exceptionally clear. The speaker is built into either a soft dome or micro-mould.

Where style choices are concerned, there are two types of Oticon Dual, four different styles – and a multitude of colours!

Hearing Aid Comparisons

noreply@blogger.com (Chris Buckley) — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 09:53:00 +0000

Making direct hearing aids comparisons are difficult because of the wide variety of styles and features sold on the market today. Nevertheless, here are a few pointers of what to keep in mind when you compare hearing aids:

Sound Quality

Inferior sound quality causes health problems like severe headache and fatigue. Moreover, while hearing aid technologies today are becoming quite sophisticated, hearing aids cannot exactly reproduce sounds as we actually hear them. As such, it is important to check a device’s sound quality. Is there too much background noise? How about the sound when listening to music? Do sounds sound natural? This requires that you visit an audiologist to get adequate hearing aids comparison. An audiologist can advise and help you adjust and fine-tune devices so as to determine how well various hearing aids work for you.

Style and Size

While making hearing aids comparisons, it is important to determining which type – behind the ear, inside the ear, partially inside the ear canal or inside the ear canal – is most comfortable for you, both in terms of fit and wearability. People’s preferences differ so it is important to try on each type yourself. Moreover, if you are uncomfortable being seen wearing a hearing aid – as many people are – the latest device such as the Lyric, which fits deep inside the ear canal, may be best. What is the point of spending thousands of dollars on a hearing aid that you will not wear?

Form

There are two basic forms of hearing aids: analog and digital. Analog devices are the least expensive but mainly just make sounds louder. Digital devices cost more. They basically convert sound into computer bits and use chips to manipulate and make the sound more intelligible and natural for the user. Almost all hearing aids today are digital, so go with digital unless cost is the determining factor in your comparison of hearing aids.

Hearing Aids Cost

A very important factor in hearing aids comparison is affordability as digital hearing aids, which typically cost several thousand dollars, are not typically covered by insurance. Decide if all the impressive features are needed. Do you need multiple channels, water resistant hearing aids, voice reminders, and Bluetooth? More features generally mean higher prices.

Battery & Power

Hearing aid devices today are now almost all powered by batteries to ensure flexibility and mobility. The batteries are typically zinc air batteries which activate when zinc mixes with air when a tab is peeled off the battery. The batteries come in different sizes that are standardized, colour coded and widely available. In comparing hearing aids, power consumption is an issue. Some hearing aids require more power, which means that they require larger batteries and has a shorter life-span.

Warranty & Contract

Different companies offer different contracts and terms of warranty regarding the time span covered and parts included in the terms. Knowing all this information is necessary for a proper hearing aids comparison. Most state laws require a minimum trial period. Make sure you use it before you buy so you can return the hearing aid if it does not work for you.

Additional Adjustments

Finally, there are hearing aid devices in which manual adjustments can be made to adjust almost each and every feature and others that are not very configurable. It is important to take this into account when making proper hearing aids comparisons.

Lastly, do not expect miracles and have overly high expectations. Most people need time with hearing aids need to retrain their brains to hear.

Useful Resources Across the Internet

noreply@blogger.com (Mark Farrell) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:03:00 +0000

The internet came alive because people visited sites liked them and decided to vote for them. We at Alan Aaronson are no different so this post is all about sites that we have visited and found interesting in some way. Some are hearing related and some are not but none the less they are worth visiting.

People no longer rely on the yellow pages or the Thomson local as there are a world of directories out there take a look at a small sample of them below and make your own mind up.

Completely free web directory - take a look and see all of the useful sites they have listed

Submit.Biz - Another clever website directory for you to consider.

Ontario Directory - Another clever website directory for you to consider.

One or Two?

noreply@blogger.com (Paula Cunha) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:58:00 +0000

"Like our vision, our hearing mechanism relies on input from both ears to locate sound sources. One ear simply cannot do the work of two. To achieve the most natural hearing experience, it is vital that both ears work equally well.

Those that wearing two hearing aids understand more clearly and enjoy better sound quality.

Our ears allow us to focus on specific sounds and conversations. Hearing properly with both ears help the brain to distinguish speech from noise more easily than if only one ear receives the sound. Two ears make our hearing more balanced and enable us to determine which direction a sound is coming from, like the location of an oncoming car or the position of someone speaking to you.

Hearing with both ears is also far more comfortable. With both ears working together, less amplification is neede to hear everydau sounds and lower volume means less distracting background noise.

There is so much in Life that's worth hearing. Hearing clearly again will have a positive impact on your hearing."

Source: Starkey booklet - Monaural or Binaural

“A Better Life with Hearing Aids”

noreply@blogger.com (Paula Cunha) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:12:00 +0000

‘For many people adapting to hearing aids can be a challenge. Although most often, the reward for overcoming those initial difficulties is a significant improvement in quality of life.’
Hearing Loss didn’t develop overnight and is a problem that can be overcome. Hearing aids are not new ears and don’t give back the level of hearing you had before.

Hearing aids provide an experience of sound, improve the situations, redress the problems, making situations more equal and fairer; they maximize opportunities to fully utilise the residual hearing.

The hearing aid dispenser and audiologist will help the hearing impaired to make the best possible use of their residual hearing regarding their communication needs. They will help choose the best hearing system and couple it with, teaching strategies and help with the rehabilitation process.

Hearing Loss is a problem to be overcome. Hearing aids and your Audiologist are tools to help you to overcome that problem. Timescale, patience, practise and perseverance are necessary and involved.

‘A worthwhile thing is achieved with a little hard work!’

Sources: http://www.hear-it.org/
Anglia Ruskin University, FdSc Hearing Aid Audiology, Inductions Notes.

FM and Wireless Systems The Technology & Benefits

noreply@blogger.com (Paula Cunha) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:14:00 +0000

Technology is improving day by day and why should the hearing industry be any different. You can now get your hands on FM and Wireless systems. What do I mean? Read below to find out what they are and what benefits they have to the end user.

FM technology refers to a type of wireless system that helps people better understand speech in noisy situations. FM systems commonly work together with a user’s hearing aid, although systems are also available for those with otherwise normal hearing (such as people who suffer from APD, ADHD etc.).

Hearing instruments intelligent enough to efficiently link you with the world:

Technology and Benefits:

1. Discretion;
2. More balanced listening experience;
3. Smaller and more cosmetically appealing hearing instruments;
4. Improve communication;
5. Maximizes simplicity and convenience of listening on the phone;
6. Clearer reception;
7. Clearer transmission on Bluetooth enabled cell phones;
8. Binaural listening improves comprehension;
9. Hands-free operation of cell phones and other wireless-enabled devices;
10. True, rich stereo sound quality of MP3 players

Customer Review

noreply@blogger.com (Paula Cunha) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 09:08:00 +0000

"Thank you so much for the impromptu help and new aids - so far it’s wonderful - the first time I notice a huge qualitative change - not just more noise!

I am just thrilled to be having an "enhanced hearing experience" as the yanks would say!"

Mr. R. Hornsby

Benefits of iCom and DuoPhone

noreply@blogger.com (Paula Cunha) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 11:01:00 +0000

"iCom improves speech intelligibility while reducing noise when using the phone. It provides a binaural digital quality signal without background noise and offers the option of hands free phone calls.

DuoPhone, available in Naída IX and Exélia Art, enables binaural phone use without additional tools, thus improving speech understanding compared to conventional, monaural use."

Both technologies are available in our Centres.

For more information, please contact us on 020 8455 6361 or go to the link:
http://phonak.inx.ch/inxmail1/images/FSN_duophone_august09-xx.pdf
http://phonak.inx.ch/inxmail1/images/FSN_icom_july09_gb.pdf

Yet Another Satisfied Customers Review

noreply@blogger.com (Paula Cunha) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 08:56:00 +0000

Hearing Aids can be a very confusing subject for anybody so its always nice to hear from satisfied customers. Every now and then we would like to share a review or two with the rest of the world.

We would like to thank Mrs O'Beime for her kind words about our services so much so we have posted her words below:

"... Thank you for all your atention to my father. It did make a big difference to my father being able to communicate well!"

Mrs O'Beime

SPECIAL OFFER - 10% OFF BATTERIES

noreply@blogger.com (Paula Cunha) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 11:33:00 +0000

Alan Aaronson the specialists in Hearing Aids through out the London area will regularly post up some special offers so please keep checking our blog for the latest deals.

BATTERY OFFER

When you purchase a box of batteries (any size), get over 10% discount.

1 pack of batteries £3,50

3 packs of batteries £10

1 Box with 10 packs of batteries £30

We also have a postal service delivery option.

Please contact us on 020 8455 6361

Welcome

noreply@blogger.com (Paula Cunha) — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 11:03:00 +0000

It is with great pleasure that we launch our blog where will introduce our company aim and missions to all people interested in hearing healthcare.

We will update you on the latest technologies in Hearing Systems, Hearing care and Special Offers.

We understand that value for money is important to you, more than ever and therefore we are keen to provide this. We are also truly committed to providing you with an excellent level of care and service in all your hearing needs.

We have been established for over ten years and our team consists of Audiological Scientists, Hearing Aid Dispensers and Industrial Audiologists. We have experience in both the NHS and privately, and we work with children as well as adults.

Our aim is to bring a ‘second-to-none’ service in hearing healthcare – diagnosy, rehabilitation, hearing aids and hearing protection, with the latest technologies.

Our mission is to develop the services in the UK so that those with hearing loss have more choice and can improve their quality of life and social integration with the new technology that has now been developed.

We hope you enjoy our new blog and thank you for joining us.

Yours sincerely,

Paula Cunha
Audiologist and Marketing Development

Innovative Website Offers Cheap Affordable Digital Hearing Aids

noreply@blogger.com (Mark Farrell) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 14:01:00 +0000

Hearing is one faculty that many people have problems with, yet suffer in silence. The prohibitive costs of some hearing enhancing products such as some forms of hearing aids can mean that many are unable to afford the unit which will help them. This is an issue that has been redressed by a leading cheap hearing aid website that has become a firm favourite with the consumer. Alan Aaronson has become popular due to its no nonsense approach to hearing aids including digital hearing aids with a sole aim of providing affordable hearing aids so that people no longer need to suffer without their ability to hear.

The website is an ingenious, well designed and user friendly website which offers a plethora of advice and resources related to cheap hearing aids. Sections within the website offer advice such as the type of hearing aids available including, in the canal, behind the ear and in the ear styles of hearing aids. Reasons for hearing loss are explained in a simple and effective manner, whilst a further section describes the influences and respective qualifications of the team as well as the locations of their centres.

For those who may be new to this experience, full details are supplied on the website as to how the fitting of a new hearing aid is fitted. The digital hearing aids offer some of the latest technology and can profoundly improve the quality of life of an individual. The process is simple and is based on the consumer experience. The initial consultation will involve an assessment of the problem. By utilising some of the most up to date testing methods, the audiologist will assess and recommend a suitable device. At this point further details are provided with one of the key benefits of dealing with Alan Aaronson, which is the opportunity to take a 40 day trial of the new unit, to ensure complete customer satisfaction.

Hearing loss can have a marked effect on a person’s life and it seems unjust that a simple device can make so much difference, but cannot be afforded by the patient. This is the driving force behind the people at www.alanaaronson.co.uk, they provide affordable hearing aids to a plethora of people who now have the ability to hear clearly and enjoy life to the full again.

For further information on a range of affordable digital hearing aids visit http://www.alanaaronson.co.uk