Have You Heard of Beltone Hearing Aids?

People who are in the market for hearing aids can get aids that fit in and on different parts of the ear.  They can obtain hearing aids that have different kinds of circuitry.  BTE digital hearing aids combine a common type of hearing device with the latest circuitry.  

For years, there was no such thing as digital processing.  Then, when there was, it was too big and bulky to be feasible to be used.  Even when it became possible to use, it still wasn't practical until the technology came along to make the circuits tiny like they are today.  BTE digital hearing aids are one type of hearing aid that uses this technology.  

BTE stands for behind the ear.  BTE digital hearing aids have the same basic structure as ordinary BTE aids.  They have an ear mold that fits into the ear.  This is connected to the hearing aid, which sets behind the ear, by a tube called the tone hook.  A microphone sits atop the hearing aid to channel sound into the aid.  The BTE aid is durable, powerful, and has easy to use controls.  

BTE digital hearing aids are capable of so much more than the analog variety.  If you've ever listened to a vinyl record album and then a CD, then you are aware of the difference digital sound can make.  However, that's only the beginning of what a BTE digital hearing aid can do.  

BTE digital hearing aids function by converting the sound that is gathered by the microphone into bits, computer bits that is.  These bits are processed at an amazingly fast rate.  They are used in a processor known in the hearing aid industry as a DSP, or digital signal processor.  

These DSP's are capable of sorting sounds into channels of frequencies.  This is important because certain speech sounds are higher in pitch and other sounds are lower.  If you don't have the full range of audible frequencies, speech will sound jumbled to you because you are not hearing all the sounds.  BTE digital hearing aids also have more power for amplification to make it even easier to distinguish voices.  

BTE digital hearing aids can treat continuous noise differently that they process short duration noises.  It only makes sense that, for instance, you would be more interested in the sound of the doorbell than in the sound of the air conditioner running.  They also minimize feedback by both their circuitry and by the way the ear mold fits into the ear.  

Another problem BTE digital hearing aids correct is recruitment.  This is when a person with hearing loss has trouble because soft noises sound too soft and loud noises sound too loud.  The digital processing of sound diminishes this problem.  Some BTE digital hearing aids offer two microphones to focus on what is in front of the wearer.  This is called directionality.  It allows for less distraction from the surrounding environment.  

BTE digital hearing aids offer the both worlds.  They are rugged and easy for even a child to use.  They also have the advantages of digital sound processing.  For many, it's an easy choice.  

All About Open Fit Hearing Aids

With so many hearing aids on the market to choose from, you may be overwhelmed by the choices offered.  In this article, we will discuss open fit hearing aids.  With an open fit aid, you don't have to wait for your ear mold to be made and returned to you; so it takes less time to get the product you'll need.  Buying these from a dealer is quicker than waiting on a manufacturer.  They'll be maintained wherever you choose to purchase yours.  Since open fit aids have evolved into more discreet, less bulky aids, made with better colors and user friendly designs of better quality, people are more willing to wear their hearing aids.

It is hard for some people to admit that they need help to function properly physically.  Although there is nothing shameful about getting help for your hearing, it is often a matter of pride for a person to be afraid to give in and accept the use of an aid.  Children especially have a fear of enduring teasing and insults from other children if they have anything outstandingly different about their appearance.  For older adults, it may be interpreted as a sign of weakness or of getting older.

Open fit hearing aids are also known as over-the-ear, or OTE hearing aids.  They are made small for the discretion of the wearer, fitting behind the ear with a clear, thin, almost invisible plastic tube going into the ear towards the ear canal.

These aids are actually best for high frequency hearing defects.  If you didn't know already, there are many differences from one person to another when it comes to hearing loss.  The loss can occur on many different levels and be at different stages.  With the open fit aids, you get power and the most circuit options from many other aids for the high frequency defects.  

These OTE aids are also called BTE, or behind-the-ear aids.  Their plastic tubing and ear mold will conduct the sound and keep the ear mold more open.  Children are often best benefited by these open fit aids, although many adults wear them as well.  These aids are made with bright colors and decorations for the children.

One of the possible problems a person could have with an open fit hearing aid is if a tiny hairline crack develops in the plastic tubing.  You'll want to take great care with your new aid to protect it from abuse, both by yourself or by others.  It should never be left where a child could grab it and chew on it or step on it or where any pets could get to it.

Although it is possible to buy hearing aids yourself without being tested, it is always wiser to have an accurate hearing test done to make sure whether or not your hearing condition requires more than just a simple, over-the-counter type hearing aid.  Because the ear is such a complex part of the human body, a trained professional is best to get you the preferred help for your condition.  Please take your ears seriously!

Are Deals on BTE Hearing Aids by Mail Too Good To Be True?

BTE hearing aids can be very costly if you go to your hearing professional to get them.  Some people with hearing loss enjoy the privacy and convenience of ordering BTE hearing aids by mail.  They feel that they can get a better deal and save themselves a trip to the doctor's office.  But, are these deals too good to be true?  

One thing to be aware of is that so-called hearing aids that do not meet FDA guidelines and simply amplify sound are actually known as listening devices.  They are very cheap, both in price and in quality.  Some BTE hearing aids by mail like this cost as little as $6.99 per ear.  In this case, you probably get what you pay for.  

If sellers are not going through an ENT doctor, they will be required by the FDA to make sure that you sign a waiver and turn it in to them.  They want to make sure that burden rests squarely on your shoulders.  And, maybe it should.  You do want to make your own decisions about BTE hearing aids by mail, and this is what you will have to do if you choose not to be fitted by an ENT.  

In any case, most hearing aid sellers require the results of a hearing test, which can be done by an audiologist.  They will not sell the BTE hearing aid by mail without one.  An audiologist is simply a person who does tests on hearing  They are not medical doctors and cannot determine if you have an illness or other medical condition.  However, they can deliver an audiogram that can be used to adjust the settings on a hearing aid.  

The best deals on BTE hearing aids by mail, according to price, are to be found on E-Bay.  One reconditioned hearing aid was recently sold there for under $70.  It was a Beltone brand hearing aid that was said to have cost over $1000 new.  The Siemens High Power 278 BTE aid was sold for around $200.  Siemens is a well respected brand name as well.  Also available by signing a waiver was the Siemens Infinity Pro, which was priced at about $400.  If you can't afford a more expensive set, then you might consider trying this type of BTE hearing aids by mail.  

Some sellers of hearing aids by mail expect to deal with hearing professionals.  These vendors sell products that usually run the buyer into the thousands for a fraction of the cost.  The Siemens Intuis is now being offered for a slim $499, while its retail value is around $1800.  It is equipped with directional microphones, an auto phone device, and technology that reduces noise and feedback.  It is a totally digital aid.  There is a similar deal offered in another brand of hearing aid that has similar features.  This one lists for $2200 and sells on E-Bay for a mere $399.  

It may be to your advantage to buy BTE hearing aids by mail.  It is always in your best interest to explore the possibilities.  Just remember to find out what it is that you are actually getting for your money.  After all, a few hundred dollars spent sounds a lot better than a few thousand, but if the hearing aids aren't what they claim to be, it may be a few hundred dollars wasted.  And, who needs that?

Choosing Discount Hearing Aids

Hearing aids come in a variety of makes and models.  They are worn in and on the ear in different ways.  The ENT doctor, or otolaryngologist, will practically make the decisions for you if you allow it.  If, however, you want to save yourself some money, you can march into the doctor's office with some information of your own.  Discount hearing aids are one way to save yourself some money without sacrificing quality.  

Many sellers offer discount hearing aids that are identical to the full priced hearing aids that you get directly from the manufacturer.  Often, the only difference is the price, which may be half the price you pay the maker or even less.  When you are looking into such a deal, make sure the two devices are actually the same in every respect except for price.  

There are many features and parameters to check to make sure your discount hearing aids are the real thing.  For one thing, if you want to buy a model that is a fully digital one, make sure the discount hearing aids are listed as 100 percent or fully or totally digital.  Otherwise, you might end up with a model that has some components that are analog.  This will give you less flexibility in the programming and prcessing of your aids.  

Compare the number of frequency bands or channels.  Having more will give your fitter more latitude in accommodating your hearing losses if they are not consistent through all the ranges.  With more channels, your audiologist can give more amplification to the frequencies you have trouble hearing and less to the ones you don't.  If the manufacturers' hearing aids' channels are not the same as your discount hearing aids', they will respond differently to programming.  

Carefully scrutinize the data of the two hearing aids to determine if both are actually the same model with the same directional microphone capabilities.  Some brand names offer directional microphones in some of their models but not on others.  If one has this feature and one doesn't, then the discount hearing aids you are looking at are not the same as the manufacturers' models that you suspect you are dealing with.  

Another aspect of the hearing aids to be checked is whether they have memory presets and if so, how many and what kind are they.  This will help you determine whether you your discount hearing aids are the same as the originals.  More is not always better, as personal preferences vary, but just make sure to get the number and type of memory presets that you want.  

You can become easily confused, if you're not careful, by the different styles of discount hearing aids.  BTE, or behind the ear, hearing aids are readily available at lowered prices.  You can also get the other varieties, and you should be aware if you are getting an ITE, or in the ear, hearing aid, which fits in the shell of your outer ear.  Be sure to recognize the different ear canal varieties, such as IC, in the canal, and CIC, completely in the canal.  

Finally, you will, of course, want to make sure you get the best price possible.  Compare the prices of identical models and styles and make sure you get the best reliable deal.  Just make sure there is a good policy on returns in case you are not happy with them.  That, after all, is the most important factor in choosing discount hearing aids.

Good Things to Know About Siemens Hearing Aids

Siemens offers a wide range of aids for the hearing impaired.  One of the most important aids they offer is the Siemens Centra Active.  A person would no longer have to be limited because of an active lifestyle if they chose this hearing aid.  It is protected against excessive moisture caused by the menopausal hot flashes, which has created havoc with many hearing aid users because of the unusual sweating that occurs during this time.  If you are the type of person who enjoys working in your garden or spending time outside during the heat of the summer, you'll perspire at some point.  Your hearing aid must be able to stand up to the excess perspiration.  If you want to just be outside watching your children play, this will help ease your limitations and allow you and your children more quality time together because you won't have to worry about your hearing aid conking out on you when you start to sweat from the summer heat!

This amazing little instrument has a clip-on microphone cover to protect it from moisture, dust, and extra-tiny particles such as pollen.  Pollen dust can be thick and annoying during the spring and could be a hindrance to your hearing aid that is not protected against it.

Another awesome development Siemens has access to is the charger.  Batteries have long been a source of frustration for hearing aid wearers, especially if you aren't able to get new ones when you need them most.  Battery chargers have stepped outside the boundaries of video recorders, digital cameras, and cell phones to reach the field of the hearing impaired.  Those who were limited by batteries can now extend their capabilities with the Centra Active Charger, which will greatly help active hearing aid wearers.  Five hours of charging can be done as you sleep because the smart little charger shuts off when it's done.  You'll get a full day of use and onto into the evening.

Some of the other great products Siemens offers are as follows:

1. Siemens Acuris Life-the first wireless aid, an open canal aid, has flexible tubes with soft tips, 3 memory settings, 16 channels, 3 year warranty, $1300

2. 2. Siemens Centra Active-water-resistant, rechargeable, optional charger ($150), comes in 11 colors, $1600

3. Siemens Cielo 2 Life

4. Siemens Cielo DIR BTE

5. Siemens Cielo Life

6. Siemens Artis 2 Life

Some of the tests performed to determine the best hearing aid for your degree of hearing loss include:  whispered speech, tuning fork, audiometry, otoa coustic, emissions and auditory brainstem response.  An audiologist (someone who is trained to evaluate and treat hearing defects) can best determine which type of hearing aid is the best type for you.  Sometimes there is added bone growth which interferes with the transmission of sound waves.  It can be stopped or reversed with surgery 70% of the time.  Even so, a hearing aid may be necessary until you can have the surgery, or it may be necessary if you do have the surgery and suffer still from a certain degree of hearing loss.

Your outside ear is really only there to collect and concentrate sound waves, which vibrate the air in your auditory canal.  Air passes the vibration to the eardrum.  The hammer bone, inside, is attached to the anvil and stirrup bones, which vibrate the oval window and the round window.  This causes fluid to move in the cochlea, which encloses the Organ of Corti.  This organ is covered with thousands of tiny hair cells which bring about chemical changes that change electrical potential to create nerve impulses.  As you can tell, that little ear on the side of your head is just the beginning of the hearing process, which is a complex bodily instrument!  There's more to the hearing process that what was just explained, and the Beltone company has known this for many years.

Beltone hearing aids have been around for at least 67 years, starting in 1940.  Their models of digital hearing aids are of a wide variety.  The shell styles include Beltone One!, (which is a mini behind-the-ear hearing aid), Beltone Corus, Beltone Linq, Beltone Access, Beltone Edge, Beltone Mira, Beltone Arca, Invisa (in the canal), Petite (in the canal), and the Opera Plus (in the canal).

Beltone has helped countless generations and brought hope and encouragement to many families and individuals who have relied upon their services.  They provide other needs besides hearing aids, such as amplified cordless phones, loud alarm clocks, Blue tooth ear sets ($145), neckloops ($150), phone modules ($50), and personal listening systems ($170-$200).  

Beltone's listening systems help you hear in public places such as theaters.  It can be hard to hear in public places even when you aren't hearing challenged.  But those who are were limited for a long time to reading lips and interpreting actions when attending theaters, concerts, and other public events.  This has caused them to miss out on much of the understanding they needed for proper processing of the information presented to the audience.

Hearing impaired people were also challenged in the way of waking up in the mornings, even with hearing aids.  Many people don't feel a need to sleep with their aids, but when they did have to; they found the older aids uncomfortable for night time relaxation.  A timer would be put on an overhead light so that when the light came on, the person would be awakened by the brightness.  This wouldn't work for the person who can sleep through anything!  Even so, the timers couldn't be taken on trips.  Wake up calls wouldn't help since the person couldn't hear the phone or a knock on the door.  But there are devices now that vibrate, like Beltone's wake and shake alarm clock, which sells for $70.  It incorporates a vibration and a flashing strobe that comes on upon the time the alarm is set.

Beltone reaches as far as New England, Canada, and all across the United States;  although, one drawback to finding a Beltone representative might be with the challenge of availability in small areas.  

Batteries for hearing aids are sold by Beltone, but you can also find them many times in stores.  Pharmacies usually carry hearing aid batteries.  Typical name brand batteries can sell in a package of 4 for $6.  Eco-Gold batteries sell in a package of 6 for $6.  You can even order batteries from AARP magazines.  They usually sell in bigger bundles than in a store, such as 42 for $25, and offer a refund on the unopened packages if you aren't happy with the product.

Hearing Aids GA: The Way to Get a Good Fit

Most modern hearing aids are fitted by using a computer in some way.  Hearing aids GA is a technology that allows for a fairly precise fitting.  It is a relatively new tool for the audiologist to use in helping you to have the hearing experience you desire.  

In hearing aids GA, the GA stands for genetic algorithms.  First you need to understand what algorithms are.  An algorithm is simply a way to get something done.  If you want something done, there may be several possible ways to achieve that goal.  The way you choose to do it is the algorithm you have chosen.  Different algorithms will have different advantages and disadvantages, but they should all achieve the same basic goal.  In this case, different algorithms for fitting digital hearing aids might have different qualitative results, but the fact is that in any case, you will receive some sort of fitting for your hearing device.  

These particular algorithms are called genetic algorithms because the mimic the attributes of biological genetic principles.  There is, for example, natural selection.  This occurs when one set of parameters proves to be weaker, or less useful, than another and the weaker set is discarded.  In other words, it is not selected.  The hearing aids GA have an array of possibilities available and the algorithm does its job of sorting through them and selecting the ones that work the best for you.  

This is done when the audiologist does your fitting.  The idea is that the hearing aids GA, through your audiologist, will present you with two options.  You will then say which one is better.  Then it will give you another choice of two, and so on.  The hearing aids GA will process all the information you give to come to conclusions about what your preferences are.  

One test was done that studied subjects with normal hearing who were given distorted speech sounds to listen to.  The hearing aids GA were then programmed to their preference to see if the aids would end by selecting the best solution to the problem.  In most cases, they did.  Another study was done to see if subjects would have the same preferences when it came to feedback if they were tested a second time.  They did.  So, it seems that the hearing aids GA provide an accurate fitting for most individuals.  

To be truly effective and practical in the long run, the hearing aids GA should have the capability of adjusting to the user's changes in preferences.  This is where artificially intelligent design is so important in responding to the actual use of the wearer.  

Some hearing aids GA are designed to be downloaded into a program that communicates with the hearing aid using Bluetooth technology.  The audiologist is critical in the fitting of any hearing aids GA.  This isn't something you can do for yourself, at least not at the present level of development.  

Having digitally programmable hearing aids is a plus.  Having a means to program them is just as important.  Hearing aids GA solves this problem by making hearing aid fitting both quick and accurate.  

How Do Hearing Aids Work?  

Hearing aids have been around for decades. The first hearing devices were just conical devices that you held up to your ear so that a person could speak into them. This would funnel the sound directly into your ear.  Now there are more impressive types of hearing aids, working with a higher degree of technology.  So, in modern times, how do hearing aids work?  

Hearing aids use small microphones to make a soft sound louder.  They do this by using a small microphone.  This device will receive the sound that comes in and convert it to an electrical or digital signal and send that data to a speaker where it is turned into sound once again.    Settings for these microphones take into account the degree of a person's hearing loss and their usual environment.  Environment here refers to how much and what kind of noise you are usually around.  Are you usually near high frequency noises?  If so, do you need to hear them?  Do you function mainly in a quiet conversational environment?  All these questions will help the audiologist adjust the settings on your hearing aid.  This is only part of the answer to how do hearing aids work.  

There are three basic types of technology that receive and convert the signals in hearing aids these days.  The least advanced is the analog adjustable hearing aid, and it costs less than the other two types.  This type of hearing aid is adjustable by your audiologist for volume and other specifications.  The factory will then custom make it for you.  You can control the volume, or it will be controlled automatically.  

Another type of circuitry found in hearing aids is called analog programmable.  These are somewhat better than the analog adjustable because they can be programmed by using a computer.  The audiologist sets different programs of sound capture and transmission for different listening situations.  The user can select which program to use at any given time by using a remote control.  

Digital programmable hearing aids are the most advanced and, of course, the most expensive.  For years they were impossible and then they were impractical because they couldn't be made small enough.  That is no longer the case.  

So, how do these hearing aids work?  Their circuitry contains a feature called DSP, or Digital Sound Processing.  They utilize a computer chip to analyze and process the sound data before it is amplified to the ear.  It does this by using billions of digital number codes to identify and classify sounds to give them the correct settings.  This digital data is then converted into sound and sent on to the ear.  The digital hearing aid also has the capability of detecting and eliminating feedback by identifying its frequencies.  These hearing aids work automatically with little adjustment from the wearer.  

Hearing aids have come a long way in a short time.  People who can want to hear better have many options now.  And, if you find yourself asking, "How do hearing aids work," the answer these days is technology.  

How Low Cost Hearing Aids Can Change Your Life

Insurance covers hearing devices for very few people.  Most people with hearing loss are on their own when it comes to getting help.  Many can't afford the exorbitant prices the manufacturers charge for their hearing aids.  Without help they may not see much hope of being able to hear adequately.  If you are one of these people, there could be a solution.  Low cost hearing aids could change your life.  

With a little help from your computer, you can go on the internet and find offers from sellers other than the manufacturers on name brand hearing devices.  These sellers can save you a lot of money by offering low cost hearing aids that are exactly the same as the kind you are looking for.  Because they do this, you may be able to afford a more sophisticated and technologically advanced set of hearing aids than you could have otherwise gotten.  

Low cost hearing aids can let you hear voices clearly again without the distraction of amplifying every noise in the background.  Through data learning functions, the hearing aids can adapt to your own style of listening pleasure.  This is technology that you may not have been able to afford without low cost hearing aids.  

No longer will you be bothered by noises that are behind you if your low cost hearing aids come with directional microphones.  You will be able to hear clearly whatever is in front of you.  All you have to do is face the sound you want to hear.  Then, if you want all the sound in the room to be available to you, many models have a switch so that you can just turn the directionality off.  

If you're like many people who can't hear certain frequencies, like the high-pitched sounds of children's voices, then you will be glad to know that there are low cost hearing aids available with several channels.  These channels or frequency bands will make it easy for your hearing aids to be adjusted to your specific hearing needs.  

People who suffer from recruitment, a condition where sounds go from being too quiet to immediately being too loud, will find that certain low cost hearing aids come equipped with a feature that reduces this problem.  Feedback can also be controlled.  

Memory presets are available with many hearing aids.  If you find low cost hearing aids that are identical to the higher priced manufacturers' aids, your hearing aid might come with several memories to accommodate different specific listening environments.  

Being unable to use the telephone is very disabling these days.  So much of what we do depends on the phone.  Devices that allow people with hearing aids to listen on a phone are available on many low cost hearing aids.  Some of them even can be used with cell phones.  

If you get a hearing aid that is identical to a manufacturer's hearing aid, then a low cost hearing aid will not be something that will be thought of as lesser than.  In fact, low cost hearing aids, when chosen wisely, can change your life.  

How Oticon Hearing Aids Are Designed With Variety in Mind

No two people expect the same things out of a hearing aid.  Some want a hearing aid for practical reasons that affect the way they hear.  Some people are interested in the cosmetic aspect of the device.  Many have to be concerned about the price.  Oticon hearing aids offer many choices for all of these people.  

Oticon hearing aids come in a variety of models of different styles, types and technological advancement.  These are available in a wide range of prices.  Different Oticon hearing aids focus on different aspects of the hearing experience.  

The Go Pro is a relatively inexpensive model.  The digital aspect of this aid is its sound quality.  It is a simple device, yet it has the advantage of automatic features.  This is a good selection for those who want to spend less without sacrificing all the quality of the Oticon hearing aids.  

Another lower cost model is the Atlas.  It measures up to the standards of Oticon hearing aids.  However, it is made more economically because it is intended to be made on an assembly line by robots.  Some would not appreciate this, but anyone who is considering the price will take it into account.  

Different Oticon hearing aids are available for different levels of hearing loss.  Most of the models will work for mild to moderate hearing loss just fine.  The Delta model is only for those with very mild hearing loss.  For those with severe hearing loss, the Sumo DM is the best choice.  It helps the wearer to hear voices as strongly and clearly as possible with little distortion. Unlike some of the high power aids, it doesn't consume batteries at an alarming rate.  

The Safran has a different focus than most of the others: it is made to allow the user to hear a variety of sounds besides just speech.  This way they can hear nature's sounds, for instance, to enjoy the world around them.  At the same time, it still gives emphasis to speech sounds.  

Then there are the Oticon hearing aids with a higher level of technological sophistication.  The Syncro model uses artificial intelligence to sort noise and emphasize speech sounds.  It can also distinguish the difference between what we call noise and what we call sound.  It lessens the noise, which is usually unwanted, and increases the sound, which is usually what we want to hear.  

The Epoch is an Oticon hearing aid that also makes it easier for the wearer to distinguish where sound is coming from.  You can use it with mobile phones.  The Rise, in fact, can be used with Bluetooth technology and MP3 players as well.  Many of the Oticon hearing aids come with binaural sound, which means that the two hearing aids a person wears work together as one.  

To prevent occlusion, which is the shut off feeling in the ear when a hearing aid is blocking the ear canal, Oticon offers the Tego hearing aid with OpenEarAcoustics.  It is one of the aids that make changes depending on environment, and it does it automatically.  

When you are looking for a hearing aid for the first time or for a replacement, you want to have choices.  Oticon hearing aids come in such an array of types and styles that you will have many choices just staying within its models.

How Phonak Hearing Aids Make Listening Easy

Paying attention to your surroundings at all times isn't easy for anyone.  It's even harder for those with hearing deficits.  Sounds seem muffled or far away.  Voices are indecipherable.  Furthermore, some hearing aids amplify all sounds, even the ones that are just distracting.  Phonak hearing aids can make listening easier for those with hearing loss.  

Phonak hearing aids come with different levels of technology.  Analog is the least advanced.  These are manually adjusted and do not accommodate themselves to a person's preferences automatically.  They just receive sound, amplify it, and send it to the ear.  

Digitally programmable, also known as analog programmable, is a type that is actually an analog device that can be programmed by using computer software.  This allows for some of the advantages of a digital Phonak hearing aid, such as preprogrammed settings, without the expense of a digital.  

The digital Phonak hearing aids are where Phonak really shines.  With digital technology, it is possible to acquire a hearing aid that is suited to your own personal preferences.  This process begins with the fitting, but it doesn't end there.  

As you use your Phonak hearing aids you will naturally set the volume as you see fit for the way the setting around you sounds.  You will adjust it differently in a crowded football stadium than you will in the relative quiet of your own back porch.  After awhile, the Self Learning technology will adapt to the way you do things and will begin to take over the volume adjustments.  

Self Logging in you Phonak hearing aids will store information about your choices for use by your audiologist.  Then, there is the AutoPilot feature.  This element of the hearing aid will automatically change to any of several preset adjustments.  The SurroundZoom feature diminishes sounds you'd rather not hear in the background.  

Phonak hearing aids offer a version of their aids called the microPower.  It is tiny.  It only weighs about 2 grams.  It is also powerful enough for people with greater hearing loss, because it is essentially a behind the ear, BTE, hearing aid.  Its tiny speaker rests in the ear canal.  As with other BTE's the speaker and microphone are separate from the speaker and rest behind and on the ear.  The tubing they are connected with in this case is extremely small.  In fact, all the microStyle hearing aids are similar in size of both the case of the hearing aids and of the tubing.  They are also very lightweight.  

Phonak hearing aids come in the usual styles.  There are ITE, in the ear, hearing aids.  These are fine for hearing loss that is not too severe.  The BTE, behind the ear, aids are more appropriate for such user with any treatable level of hearing loss and also for children.  

Neither Phonak hearing aids nor any other hearing aids are capable of giving your hearing back the way it was before you suffered hearing loss.  But, they can make it easier to hear and understand the world around you. With that goal in mind, the use of Phonak hearing aids is worth exploring.