Hearing Aids

We offer South Australia’s largest range of hearing aids and believe your first experience should be positive.

We have a large range of hearing aids and will spend time with you choosing what fits your lifestyle.

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If you have a question, want some more information or would just like to speak to someone for support click on the links below and we will be able to help you.

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Hearing devices come in a range of technology levels The technical features of what the hearing device can do, changes with each technology level. Levels of hearing devices include adaptability to different environments, speech enhancement features, background noise reduction ability, and connectivity.

When choosing the right technology level, your audiologist will start by discussing with you what your hearing needs or goals are. For example, it may be ‘to hear my granddaughter better’, or ‘to hear better at the local pub on a Friday night’, situations in which you would like your hearing device to help you to hear well. That is, what/or where is it most important for you to hear. Your hearing goals will then be classified against the levels of technology that are available to determine which level is most suitable for your needs.

Hearing aids come in lots of shapes and sizes, and together with your audiologist, you will be able to find the design that best benefits you.

When looking at styles, there are two main categories of hearing aid. Those which go behind the ear, and those whose parts fit solely within the ear. Within each of those categories, there are many shapes and sizes! Here’s a closer look

Behind the ear devices

Standard/High powered Behind the Ear (BTE)

A standard behind the ear device has all its mechanical parts in the body of the hearing aid which sits over the ear. It then has a plastic tube which is connected to a dome or a mould that delivers the sound into the ear canal. If the tubing is thin with a small dome fitting, then it is what we call an open fit behind the ear device. Many BTE devices are small and discreet behind the ear. A high powered BTE has the same physical characteristics but is typically slightly larger type with a thick tube and custom mould.

Some of the benefits of a standard BTE device are;

• Can fit mild to severe/profound hearing losses (*severe/profound hearing losses may require a high powered BTE)
• Come in a range of sizes, including small discreet models
• Come in a range of technology levels
• Can be easier to manage for people with poor dexterity
• Some models are rechargeable

Receiver in the Canal (RIC)

A receiver in the canal hearing aid can look very similar to an open fit BTE. It has a small over the ear portion which houses most of the mechanical aspects of the hearing device. Unlike a standard BTE however, a RIC has a wire that runs from the hearing aid body to a small speaker (or receiver) which sits in the ear canal to deliver the sound to the ear.

The benefits of a RIC device;

• Can fit mild to severe/profound hearing losses while maintaining a small discreet size
• Come in a range of technology levels
• Some models are rechargeable
• A range of connectivity options (including direct connections to mobile phones for some models)

In The Ear Devices – custom devices 

A custom in the ear device has all its mechanical parts in a shell that is custom made to fit in your ear. There are no parts over the ear with these devices. In the ear devices come in a range of sizes, some which fill the entire ear, right down to those which are practically invisible to the outside world, which is called an Invisible In the Canal (IIC) device.

When it comes to choosing the size of the in the ear device, those which fill all or half of the ear typically have more power. They may also have technical features such as connectivity to mobile devices and more sophisticated background noise reduction than their smaller counterparts.

The benefits of in the ear device are;

• Can fit mild to severe hearing losses (*severe hearing losses may require a full ear sized ITE)
• Come in a range of sizes, including small discreet models
• Come in a range of technology levels
• Can be easier to put in than BTE devices (*larger models typically)
• Some models have a range of connectivity options

Hearing loss levels are only one factor which dictates which style may suit you best. Your hearing goals, manual dexterity and funding options may also factor into making the right decision. Your audiologist will spend time discussing which models best suit all of your needs to ensure that you are choosing the best model for you.

Hearing aids are an ‘aid’ for your hearing and while they are fantastic at improving hearing abilities, there are times when hearing aids alone are not enough. In these cases, hearing aid users can use accessories with their hearing aids to maximise their hearing abilities.

This may include:

• Television streaming devices  – this allows the user to hear television wirelessly and clearly straight to the hearing aids themselves, and removes the need for the TV to be turned up louder.
• Remote controls – this allows the user to change the settings on their hearing aids (such as volume or program settings) without having to use the small controls on the hearing aid itself. Remote controls (and remote Apps on mobile phones if compatible) are excellent for people who do not want to /or have difficulties using the small controls on their hearing aids.
• Bluetooth accessories – these allow the user to connect their hearing aids via Bluetooth to a number of devices, such as the mobile, iPad or computer to increase their listening abilities for these devices. It allows for two ear streaming of audio and music. A Bluetooth device is often required for connection to a television accessory.
• A remote microphone system – a specialised accessory that allows a user to hear better in the most challenging listening environments, such as in noise and over distance. The microphone can be worn by an individual, but some microphones can be placed on a table where they ate are able to pick up speech signals automatically and selectively from a 360-degree angle.

Rechargeable devices

Some hearing aids have the capacity to be recharged. Typically, these will either use a rechargeable zinc-air battery or a fully enclosed lithium ion battery. This reduces the need to purchase disposable batteries thus saving cost over time as well as reducing the environmental impact of batteries. Rechargeable hearing aids are also good for those who have difficulties changing batteries.