Types of Hearing Aids
In most cases we offer Signia hearing aids - the main models offered are:
Model Reference Guide:
- RIC = Receiver in the canal with S/M/P/HP Receivers
- CROS = Contra-lateral Routing of Signals
- M = Mild/Medium Powered
- M-T = Mild/Medium Powered and Telecoil Compatible
- M-R = Mild/Medium Powered and Rechargeable
- HP = High Powered
- HP-T = High Powered and Telecoil Compatible
- UP-R = Super/Ultra Powered
CROS and Bi-CROS Hearing Aid Systems:
CROS stands for Contralateral Routing of Sound, Bi stands for Bilateral.
A CROS hearing aid is a special type of hearing aid for people who have little to no hearing in one ear and have normal hearing in the other ear. A BiCROS hearing aid is similar to a CROS hearing aid but is for people who are profoundly deaf in one ear but also have a hearing loss in their better ear.
With CROS or BiCROS hearing aids, sound is wirelessly transmitted from the profoundly deaf ear into the better ear. What looks like a conventional hearing aid is worn on the deaf ear, but this is a microphone only. This microphone picks up sound from your poorer side and sends it wirelessly into a conventional hearing aid on your better ear. It is then heard and processed by the brain. The sound can also be amplified if you have a hearing impairment in your better ear.
Getting a hearing aid
- Referral
The patient get a referral from Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) or their GP - Assessment
The assessment process may include hearing test, counselling, recommendation based on loss and choice, ear mould impression (if applicable). - Fitting
Hearing aid fitting, programming and real ear measurements as applicable. - Follow Up
Check on progress, hearing aid fine tuning as required. - Ongoing Aftercare
Repairs, advice, tubing, domes and battery supply, hearing aid maintenance as required.
Aftercare
Your hearing aid is expected to remain appropriate for some time. If your needs change, re-assessments, replacements and upgrades are available.
Hearing aids will require regular maintenance, we will provide and replacement parts, batteries and sundries.
We promise a lifelong commitment to provide aftercare and repair service.