Do you have old hearing aids sitting in a drawer that you no longer use? Do something good for the environment and for others....Donate them! You can recycle your old hearing aids by sending them to
Western Institute for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
2125 West 7th Avenue,
Vancouver, B.C.,
V6K 1X9
Alternatively you can drop them off in person at any of our locations.
WIDHH can use behind-the-ear hearing aids that are still working in our Lend-an-Ear Permanent Loaner Hearing Aid Program. This program provides refurbished aids at a nominal fee to individuals that are unable to afford the cost of a new hearing aid. We are in desperate need of more hearing aids for this program. Custom hearing aids cannot be fit on another person as they are fit specifically to the original owner's ear, however, we are able to send them to another organization that can salvage functional parts and components.
Did you know you can recycle your hearing aid batteries?
Many local recycling facitilities now take hearing aid batteries. Call2Recycle can help you locate a facility. You can also drop off old hearing aid batteries at our locations and we will see that they are recycled.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Tech Talk - IP Relay
Instant messaging seems to be popping up everywhere - literally! There are all sorts of programs and devices that allow friends and family to send typed messages back and forth to each other in real time to pick a movie, pick a restaurant, find out the latest gossip, or get some sympathy for a bad day at work. While this social form of media seems to have found a solid foothold in popular culture, it hasn't made it's way into the business world. You can't BBM your doctor's office to book an appointment, and you can't Instant Messenger the local pizzaria to order your favourite Friday night dinner.
Many of you are familiar with the Relay Service for TTY's which allows TTY users to call regular telephone users and vice versa, and Voice Carry Over Service which allows hard of hearing consumers who can no longer hear on the phone to speak to a regular phone user. These are great services but are somewhat restrictive in that they require you to call from a phone line. However, mobile phone users or PC users with internet can now get IP Relay Service.
How IP Relay Service Works
A person who is deaf, hard of hearing or speech disabled uses a PC or wireless web enabled device (like your wireless Smartphone with a QWERTY keyboard) to type his or her conversation to the IP Relay agent, who then reads the typed conversation to the other party. The IP Relay agent then types the other party's spoken words back to the IP Relay user.
There are no additional costs to consumers for IP Relay beyond a computer or other Web-capable device and an Internet connection.
First you have to register with your Smartphone or computer with your provider. You will be provided with an access number and your password.
Benefits of IP Relay
•Relay service is free! (all normal cellular and internet charges still apply)
•Availability – IP Relay is available to anyone who has access to the Internet via a computer, a Smartphone, Web-capable telephone or other device;
•Convenience – Consumers do not need to go to a separate TTY or log off the Internet to use a TTY telephone line. IP Relay lets consumers make relay calls even when there is no TTY handy. In addition, consumers often say that using a computer screen and keyboard is easier than using a TTY. IP Relay permits much faster typing and allows users to see much more of the conversation on their computer screens than they can see with a TTY LCD window. IP Relay also allows users to print out and save conversations;
•Mobility –Smartphone users can initiate an IP Relay call wherever you can ordinarily use your cellphone;
•Quality – Transmission quality may be faster via IP Relay than via a TTY.
•Voice IP relay is available (with some carriers) but you must have 3 way calling enabled on your Smartphone and some providers may also require you to have a valid land-line phone number as well as a cellphone.
At posting, Telus has both text and voice IP relay (as long as you also pay for a landline phone number). Bell and Shaw currently have text only IP relay service. Check with your specific phone carrier for available services.
Many of you are familiar with the Relay Service for TTY's which allows TTY users to call regular telephone users and vice versa, and Voice Carry Over Service which allows hard of hearing consumers who can no longer hear on the phone to speak to a regular phone user. These are great services but are somewhat restrictive in that they require you to call from a phone line. However, mobile phone users or PC users with internet can now get IP Relay Service.
How IP Relay Service Works
A person who is deaf, hard of hearing or speech disabled uses a PC or wireless web enabled device (like your wireless Smartphone with a QWERTY keyboard) to type his or her conversation to the IP Relay agent, who then reads the typed conversation to the other party. The IP Relay agent then types the other party's spoken words back to the IP Relay user.
There are no additional costs to consumers for IP Relay beyond a computer or other Web-capable device and an Internet connection.
First you have to register with your Smartphone or computer with your provider. You will be provided with an access number and your password.
Benefits of IP Relay
•Relay service is free! (all normal cellular and internet charges still apply)
•Availability – IP Relay is available to anyone who has access to the Internet via a computer, a Smartphone, Web-capable telephone or other device;
•Convenience – Consumers do not need to go to a separate TTY or log off the Internet to use a TTY telephone line. IP Relay lets consumers make relay calls even when there is no TTY handy. In addition, consumers often say that using a computer screen and keyboard is easier than using a TTY. IP Relay permits much faster typing and allows users to see much more of the conversation on their computer screens than they can see with a TTY LCD window. IP Relay also allows users to print out and save conversations;
•Mobility –Smartphone users can initiate an IP Relay call wherever you can ordinarily use your cellphone;
•Quality – Transmission quality may be faster via IP Relay than via a TTY.
•Voice IP relay is available (with some carriers) but you must have 3 way calling enabled on your Smartphone and some providers may also require you to have a valid land-line phone number as well as a cellphone.
At posting, Telus has both text and voice IP relay (as long as you also pay for a landline phone number). Bell and Shaw currently have text only IP relay service. Check with your specific phone carrier for available services.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Tech Talk - Hearing the Phone in Both Ears
We are covering more options for the phonetoday. We covered telecoils on Tuesday, business phone options yesterday and Bluetooth connectivity. Another great option is 'Binaural Phone'. This technology allows one hearing aid to 'talk' or 'stream' sound to the other hearing aid. So when you are talking on the phone, you hold the phone to one hearing aid but you can hear the phone in BOTH hearning aids. Pretty cool.
For some of the hearing aids you can access this feature by pressing the program button on one of the hearing aids. Some of the hearing aids allow (or in some models require) you to access this by the remote control. Finally, some of the hearing aids have an 'autophone' feature which generally requires you to stick a small magnet to the telephone. Placing the handset with the magnet near the hearing aid switches the aid into the telephone mode.
Some of the manufacturers and models of hearing aids that have the Binaural Phone feature are:
Phonak: Ambra and Exelia Art hearing aids - accessible by program button and/or by remote control
Unitron: Quantum 12's and 20's, Moxi 12's and 20's - accessible by program button and/or by remote control
Unitron: Passport and Latitude 16 (wireless models only) - accessible by the remote control or by use of autophone
Widex: Clear 440's and 330's- accessibly by program button and/or by remote control
Hearing the phone in both ears with a bilateral hearing loss can help with clarity and make communication easier and less stressful - a definite plus.
For some of the hearing aids you can access this feature by pressing the program button on one of the hearing aids. Some of the hearing aids allow (or in some models require) you to access this by the remote control. Finally, some of the hearing aids have an 'autophone' feature which generally requires you to stick a small magnet to the telephone. Placing the handset with the magnet near the hearing aid switches the aid into the telephone mode.
Some of the manufacturers and models of hearing aids that have the Binaural Phone feature are:
Phonak: Ambra and Exelia Art hearing aids - accessible by program button and/or by remote control
Unitron: Quantum 12's and 20's, Moxi 12's and 20's - accessible by program button and/or by remote control
Unitron: Passport and Latitude 16 (wireless models only) - accessible by the remote control or by use of autophone
Widex: Clear 440's and 330's- accessibly by program button and/or by remote control
Hearing the phone in both ears with a bilateral hearing loss can help with clarity and make communication easier and less stressful - a definite plus.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Tech Talk - Hearing on your Business Phone
The phone is always a challenge because there are no lip-reading or facial cues to help the conversation along. And for many hard of hearing listeners, hearing with both ears would be a great asset when it comes to listening to accents, dialects, high pitch voices, low-pitch voices, soft-talkers, fast-talkers, monotone talkers and all of those mumblers out there. While the telecoil is a great solution for hearing on the phone, it limits a hard of hearing listener to hearing through one hearing aid only. Telecoils can also hum from nearby computers and electrical sources which can be very distracting.
Bluetooth has been a great addition to hearing aid technology to connect to cellphones and hear phone calls with both ears (and no hum!). But for many people the business phone has remained a challenge. While a few of the manufacturers have designed a telephone adapter for the phone, they aren't compatible with multiline business phone applications. Plantronics has a Bluetooth telephone hub that can be paired to additional headsets, which includes the Bluetooth accessories that are designed for use with hearing aids. The device that you need is the Plantronics Voyager 500A Deskphone Adapter. It is designed for use with a corded phone (where the handset is connected to the base of the phone by a cord). If you have a corded phone you may want to purchase the more complete Plantronics Voyager 510SL. It comes with a headset that you won't need (sell it or give to a friend) but it also comes with the handset lifter which means you don't have to lift the phone each time a call comes in - you can just push the answer button on your Bluetooth accessory. NOTE: technically the Voyager 500A Desktop Adapter has been discontinued. But an internet search shows that there are still a lot of places (particularly internet stores) that carry it. We are hoping that Plantronics will reconsider and put this product back into production.
If you have a cordless business phone then you need the Plantronics 500A Deskphone Adapter, and a Plantronics PTSN adapter (part # 73859-01) which can also be found at a variety of on-line stores.
As more and more computer based internet phone services become available, there is a BUA 100 USB device that allows you to pair 'softphones' to Bluetooth headsets or the hearing aid Bluetooth accesory.
Bluetooth has been a great addition to hearing aid technology to connect to cellphones and hear phone calls with both ears (and no hum!). But for many people the business phone has remained a challenge. While a few of the manufacturers have designed a telephone adapter for the phone, they aren't compatible with multiline business phone applications. Plantronics has a Bluetooth telephone hub that can be paired to additional headsets, which includes the Bluetooth accessories that are designed for use with hearing aids. The device that you need is the Plantronics Voyager 500A Deskphone Adapter. It is designed for use with a corded phone (where the handset is connected to the base of the phone by a cord). If you have a corded phone you may want to purchase the more complete Plantronics Voyager 510SL. It comes with a headset that you won't need (sell it or give to a friend) but it also comes with the handset lifter which means you don't have to lift the phone each time a call comes in - you can just push the answer button on your Bluetooth accessory. NOTE: technically the Voyager 500A Desktop Adapter has been discontinued. But an internet search shows that there are still a lot of places (particularly internet stores) that carry it. We are hoping that Plantronics will reconsider and put this product back into production.
If you have a cordless business phone then you need the Plantronics 500A Deskphone Adapter, and a Plantronics PTSN adapter (part # 73859-01) which can also be found at a variety of on-line stores.
As more and more computer based internet phone services become available, there is a BUA 100 USB device that allows you to pair 'softphones' to Bluetooth headsets or the hearing aid Bluetooth accesory.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Tech Talk - Hearing on the Phone
Bluetooth is the new buzz these days and many hearing aids are Bluetooth compatible. This allows people using two hearing aids to hear their Bluetooth compatible cellphone or Bluetooth compatible home-phone in BOTH ears - which is a great advantage. You can check out this post for more details on Bluetooth accessories for the phone.
However, people often forget about the t-coil (or telecoil) which has been around for a long time and it works quite well. Most hearing aids are equipped with a telecoil program. The hearing aid has a small wire inside that emits a magnetic field. Most phones also emit a magnetic field. When you are about to make a call or answer a call, you change the program on your hearing aid to the telecoil program. Individuals with custom hearing aids will hold the phone over their ear and hearing aid just like you would normally. For behind-the-ear hearing aid users you will need to slide the phone up and back slightly so it's over the back of your ear (and over your hearing aid) like this:
Sometimes you have to move the phone around a bit to find the 'sweet spot' where you get the best sound quality. The telecoil program generally cuts out all other sound and only picks up the sound from the telephone which makes it easier to hear on the phone, particularly in noisy environments. When you are finished speaking on the phone, you change your program on your hearing aid back to your 'normal' listening program.
If you don't seem to have a telecoil program in your hearing aid or you aren't sure if you have telecoil program, consult your clinician. It may be a simple programming adjustment to add this feature.
Some hearing aids have an 'autophone' feature. This feature generally requires you to stick a small magnet to the telephone handset. When you hold the handset with the magnet near your hearing aid, it automatically switches the hearing aid into telephone mode. The autophone feature is available in many hearing aids these days, but in our experience it often requires a very steady hand. Moving the phone/magnet slightly away from the hearing aid may cause the aid to switch back to the normal listening mode while you are still on the telephone call.
However, people often forget about the t-coil (or telecoil) which has been around for a long time and it works quite well. Most hearing aids are equipped with a telecoil program. The hearing aid has a small wire inside that emits a magnetic field. Most phones also emit a magnetic field. When you are about to make a call or answer a call, you change the program on your hearing aid to the telecoil program. Individuals with custom hearing aids will hold the phone over their ear and hearing aid just like you would normally. For behind-the-ear hearing aid users you will need to slide the phone up and back slightly so it's over the back of your ear (and over your hearing aid) like this:
If you don't seem to have a telecoil program in your hearing aid or you aren't sure if you have telecoil program, consult your clinician. It may be a simple programming adjustment to add this feature.
Some hearing aids have an 'autophone' feature. This feature generally requires you to stick a small magnet to the telephone handset. When you hold the handset with the magnet near your hearing aid, it automatically switches the hearing aid into telephone mode. The autophone feature is available in many hearing aids these days, but in our experience it often requires a very steady hand. Moving the phone/magnet slightly away from the hearing aid may cause the aid to switch back to the normal listening mode while you are still on the telephone call.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Tech Talk
Hearing aids have come a long way over the past decade. They now have better noise reduction technology, directional microphones to help in noisy environments, and feedback managers to keep the whistling noise away. They also have faster processing chips to allow hearing aids to analyze sound and make better decisions about how to process the sound, keeping it more natural and more comfortable than hearing aids in the past. However there are still some components on hearing aids that are relatively low tech that can interfere with the sound quality without some regular maintenance.
Those of you with behind-the-ear hearing aids need to consider replacing the tubing that runs between the earmold and the hearing aid on a regular basis (generally about every 6 months to 1 year). These tubes, over time, will harden, which causes them to become a bit shorter. This can lead to feedback or whistling issues, and it can also lead to some discomfort because the tube may pull on the earmold or even the hearing aid. The tubes can also become clogged with debris or moisture so that only limited sound or sometimes no sound at all will travel through the tube to your ear. You can remove the tube and earmold from the hearing aid and wash it - but if you aren't sure how to do this, book an appointment with your clinician for maintenance.
All hearing aids have microphones. If the microphones become clogged from things like dirt, oils from our fingers, skin or hair, or from other debris (like hairspray), the hearing aid will no longer work properly. The sound quality may be reduced or it may seem like the hearing aid isn't working at all. Some hearing aids have small covers to protect the microphones that can also become clogged up. The microphone ports can be cleaned or the microphone covers can be replaced in-clinic.
For some people a check-up appointment for hearing aid maintenance will be necessary every 6 months - for others once a year will do. These are small but important issues that can make a big difference to sound quality.
Those of you with behind-the-ear hearing aids need to consider replacing the tubing that runs between the earmold and the hearing aid on a regular basis (generally about every 6 months to 1 year). These tubes, over time, will harden, which causes them to become a bit shorter. This can lead to feedback or whistling issues, and it can also lead to some discomfort because the tube may pull on the earmold or even the hearing aid. The tubes can also become clogged with debris or moisture so that only limited sound or sometimes no sound at all will travel through the tube to your ear. You can remove the tube and earmold from the hearing aid and wash it - but if you aren't sure how to do this, book an appointment with your clinician for maintenance.
All hearing aids have microphones. If the microphones become clogged from things like dirt, oils from our fingers, skin or hair, or from other debris (like hairspray), the hearing aid will no longer work properly. The sound quality may be reduced or it may seem like the hearing aid isn't working at all. Some hearing aids have small covers to protect the microphones that can also become clogged up. The microphone ports can be cleaned or the microphone covers can be replaced in-clinic.
For some people a check-up appointment for hearing aid maintenance will be necessary every 6 months - for others once a year will do. These are small but important issues that can make a big difference to sound quality.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Hear Ye! Hear Ye! All things hearing.....
I often get asked “why do hearing aids cost so much?” Or, “Last night on TV they showed a hearing device for $19.95 that allows you to hear everything again!” If quality hearing aids average between $1,000 to $4,000, why the huge variance?
Simply put – quality of sound. It’s the difference between listening to music on a dollar transistor radio and your nice stereo. It’s the difference between a cheap phone and a good one.
Hearing aids of today contain computer chips with different degrees of technology. The more advanced the technology, the more sophisticated the computer chip inside and therefore, the better processing of speech in noise. And yes, the price goes up as the technology becomes more advanced.
A normal hearing ear hears everything, but your brain helps to filter out what you don’t want to hear and what you want to hear. For example, you’re sitting at your computer right now reading this blog. There’s probably a hum in the background from your computer and the clicking of your keyboard keys or mouse, but you probably didn’t even notice them until I just pointed them out to you right now! Now imagine hearing all those background sounds….all the time! A $19.95 hearing aid will amplify everything to the same degree, whether it’s a ticking clock, a fridge hum, a person’s voice. They might contain low or high pass filters to weed out extreme low and high pitched sounds (making the device sound more “tinny” or “bassy” ) but that’s all.
A properly fitted digital hearing aid will amplify based on the shape of your hearing loss (some people hear better in the low pitches, others in the highs, some have flat losses). Digital hearing aids also have special features that separate speech-like sounds from background sounds, so that you will have a better chance of hearing only what you want to hear. It’s not a perfect science, because the technology to hardwire the hearing aid directly to your brain doesn’t exist yet (i.e. your hearing aid really doesn’t know what YOU want to hear), but the hearing aid’s computer chip is capable of making some decent guesses.
So, what are you paying for when you buy hearing aids? - mostly the ongoing research to develop hearing aid technology that mimics normal hearing function as well as the development of miniature casings that are resistant to negative environmental factors such as moisture, wax, normal wear and tear. In addition, the hearing aid price also includes the dispensing fees charged by the qualified hearing aid dispenser to ensure the aid is safely fitted to your hearing loss. In British Columbia, only those who are Registered Hearing Instrument Practitioners (RHIP) can fit hearing aids. RHIPs can be Audiologists or non-Audiologists – see the WIDHH FAQ section - http://www.widhh.com/, for more information on hearing aid dispensing in BC.
So the next time you see the $19.95 hearing aid, just remember, you will hear what you pay for!
Simply put – quality of sound. It’s the difference between listening to music on a dollar transistor radio and your nice stereo. It’s the difference between a cheap phone and a good one.
Hearing aids of today contain computer chips with different degrees of technology. The more advanced the technology, the more sophisticated the computer chip inside and therefore, the better processing of speech in noise. And yes, the price goes up as the technology becomes more advanced.
A normal hearing ear hears everything, but your brain helps to filter out what you don’t want to hear and what you want to hear. For example, you’re sitting at your computer right now reading this blog. There’s probably a hum in the background from your computer and the clicking of your keyboard keys or mouse, but you probably didn’t even notice them until I just pointed them out to you right now! Now imagine hearing all those background sounds….all the time! A $19.95 hearing aid will amplify everything to the same degree, whether it’s a ticking clock, a fridge hum, a person’s voice. They might contain low or high pass filters to weed out extreme low and high pitched sounds (making the device sound more “tinny” or “bassy” ) but that’s all.
A properly fitted digital hearing aid will amplify based on the shape of your hearing loss (some people hear better in the low pitches, others in the highs, some have flat losses). Digital hearing aids also have special features that separate speech-like sounds from background sounds, so that you will have a better chance of hearing only what you want to hear. It’s not a perfect science, because the technology to hardwire the hearing aid directly to your brain doesn’t exist yet (i.e. your hearing aid really doesn’t know what YOU want to hear), but the hearing aid’s computer chip is capable of making some decent guesses.
So, what are you paying for when you buy hearing aids? - mostly the ongoing research to develop hearing aid technology that mimics normal hearing function as well as the development of miniature casings that are resistant to negative environmental factors such as moisture, wax, normal wear and tear. In addition, the hearing aid price also includes the dispensing fees charged by the qualified hearing aid dispenser to ensure the aid is safely fitted to your hearing loss. In British Columbia, only those who are Registered Hearing Instrument Practitioners (RHIP) can fit hearing aids. RHIPs can be Audiologists or non-Audiologists – see the WIDHH FAQ section - http://www.widhh.com/, for more information on hearing aid dispensing in BC.
So the next time you see the $19.95 hearing aid, just remember, you will hear what you pay for!
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Tech Talk
Tech Talk
Everywhere I look these days there is construction going on. Buildings are going up, new stores are going in and there seems to be noise, noise, noise everywhere! Even going inside doesn’t drop the noise level. Loud music is being pumped out of stores and restaurants, and blenders are blending frothy drinks in the café’s. Even with the growing advancements in hearing aid technology, noisy environments remain a challenge for hard of hearing listeners.
While FMs (transmitter and receiving units) are an excellent system for dealing with these environments, the cost remains prohibitive to many consumers. Oticon has come out with a great addition to their technology line-up called the Connectline Mic (and rumour has it many other companies have picked up on this great idea and may be coming out with something similar soon). It’s about the size of your thumb and it is clipped onto the lapel of the person you are speaking with. It could be also placed on the table pointing towards the person or people you are speaking with but the closer the mic is to the speaker’s voice, the better the sound quality will be especially in very noisy places. The Connectline Mic works with Oticon hearing aids that are Bluetooth compatible. That means if you are wearing Vigo/Vigo Pro Connect, Epoq, Acto, Agil, Chili, Dual V/W/XW, or Ino Pro hearing aids then this mic will work for you. You need to have the Streamer which is Oticon’s remote control/Bluetooth accessory.
The Connectline Mic has about a 15 foot range, so if you were at a lecture with a smaller group of people or if you had the option of sitting in the front, close to the speaker, this would be a great addition to your hearing aids. It will make lectures, talking in the car, church services, social groups, bridge club, meeting a friend at a café, date nights out, going for walks and endless other social and work activities easier and less stressful to participate in and enjoy. And the good news is that Connectline Mic costs only a few hundred dollars. Small, discreet and easy to use technology.
Everywhere I look these days there is construction going on. Buildings are going up, new stores are going in and there seems to be noise, noise, noise everywhere! Even going inside doesn’t drop the noise level. Loud music is being pumped out of stores and restaurants, and blenders are blending frothy drinks in the café’s. Even with the growing advancements in hearing aid technology, noisy environments remain a challenge for hard of hearing listeners.
While FMs (transmitter and receiving units) are an excellent system for dealing with these environments, the cost remains prohibitive to many consumers. Oticon has come out with a great addition to their technology line-up called the Connectline Mic (and rumour has it many other companies have picked up on this great idea and may be coming out with something similar soon). It’s about the size of your thumb and it is clipped onto the lapel of the person you are speaking with. It could be also placed on the table pointing towards the person or people you are speaking with but the closer the mic is to the speaker’s voice, the better the sound quality will be especially in very noisy places. The Connectline Mic works with Oticon hearing aids that are Bluetooth compatible. That means if you are wearing Vigo/Vigo Pro Connect, Epoq, Acto, Agil, Chili, Dual V/W/XW, or Ino Pro hearing aids then this mic will work for you. You need to have the Streamer which is Oticon’s remote control/Bluetooth accessory.
The Connectline Mic has about a 15 foot range, so if you were at a lecture with a smaller group of people or if you had the option of sitting in the front, close to the speaker, this would be a great addition to your hearing aids. It will make lectures, talking in the car, church services, social groups, bridge club, meeting a friend at a café, date nights out, going for walks and endless other social and work activities easier and less stressful to participate in and enjoy. And the good news is that Connectline Mic costs only a few hundred dollars. Small, discreet and easy to use technology.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Tech Talk
Fall is soon upon us, which here on the BC coast will eventually mean….more rain. One of the most common repairs in the hearing aid world is damage from moisture. Whether it’s from rain, humidity, sweat or the fumble and drop into a sink full of water – moisture is the enemy of hearing aids. There have been water proof hearing aids over the years, but the sound quality of the hearing aids has generally been reported to be not very good. Most hearing aid companies now provide a ‘moisture coat’ on the aids which is aimed at repelling moisture but for some people this is simply not good enough.
So, here are some products that have put a little extra thought into moisture concerns….
Phonak Naida (Behind-the-ear hearing aids). These aids are moisture resistant not water proof but they are working quite well with most moisture demands. These come in an SP version (#13 battery) for mild to moderately-severe losses and a UP version (#675 battery) for severe to profound losses. They also come in 3 different technology levels.
Siemens Aquaris (Behind-the-ear hearing aid): This aid is waterproof and you can actually swim with the hearing aid (they are not intended for diving deep in water or remaining submerged for extended periods). It is designed for up to moderate hearing losses. The aid requires new seals each year which requires the aid to be sent in for repair. Great idea for active lifestyles and for people working outside.
Starkey S Series IQ hearing aids: Starkey uses a proprietary moisture protection system called Advanced HydraSheild to make the aids 100% moisture resistant to water, humidity, perspiration and corrosion. So you can swim some laps, then remove the batteries, put the aids in a dri aid kit and you’re good to go again. S Series IQ comes in range of styles and technology levels. These aids are designed for mild to severe losses.
So, here are some products that have put a little extra thought into moisture concerns….
Phonak Naida (Behind-the-ear hearing aids). These aids are moisture resistant not water proof but they are working quite well with most moisture demands. These come in an SP version (#13 battery) for mild to moderately-severe losses and a UP version (#675 battery) for severe to profound losses. They also come in 3 different technology levels.
Siemens Aquaris (Behind-the-ear hearing aid): This aid is waterproof and you can actually swim with the hearing aid (they are not intended for diving deep in water or remaining submerged for extended periods). It is designed for up to moderate hearing losses. The aid requires new seals each year which requires the aid to be sent in for repair. Great idea for active lifestyles and for people working outside.
Starkey S Series IQ hearing aids: Starkey uses a proprietary moisture protection system called Advanced HydraSheild to make the aids 100% moisture resistant to water, humidity, perspiration and corrosion. So you can swim some laps, then remove the batteries, put the aids in a dri aid kit and you’re good to go again. S Series IQ comes in range of styles and technology levels. These aids are designed for mild to severe losses.
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