Cary Audiology provides comprehensive hearing aid services in Cary, NC, and nearby locations.
Hearing aids play a significant role in providing a better quality of life for people with hearing loss. If a hearing device is necessary for our patient’s hearing journey, our experts at Cary Audiology will help you choose the best solution.
We will walk you through the latest hearing aids and devices available to address a wide range of hearing concerns. Our goal is to help you reconnect to the world around you through better hearing.
Hearing Aid Selection: Modern Solutions For All Types of Hearing Loss
Thanks to the continuous innovation in technology, hearing aids are equipped with more power and functional features to better interface with various smart devices. Here at Cary Audiology, we ensure that we are up-to-date with the latest hearing solutions so our patients can have access to better hearing and communication regardless of their needs, budget, and lifestyle.
Hearing aid styles
Not all hearing aids are created equal; they vary in terms of style, features, power, technology, and price point. Our team at Cary Audiology will guide you in choosing the best hearing aid to suit your hearing loss, lifestyle, and budget.
The majority of today’s hearing aids are sleek, compact, and highly interactive – offering modern solutions to hearing aid wearers of all ages.
Completely-in-the-Canal (CIC)
As its name suggests, completely-in-canal hearing aids are positioned completely in the ear canal. This style of hearing aid is discreet and can be custom-fitted to a wearer’s unique ear anatomy using an ear canal impression. Individuals with mild to moderately severe hearing loss can benefit from CIC hearing aids.
Receiver-in-Ear (RIC)
At present time, RICs are the most widely used hearing aids. Aesthetically similar to Behind-the-Ear (BTE) devices, receiver-in-ear hearing aids have one distinct difference – a thin electrical wire connects the housing to the earmold instead of a thick acoustic tube.
Invisible-in-Canal (IIC)
IIC hearing aids are enclosed in a tiny case that is custom-fit completely or partly into the ear canal. Invisible-in-canal hearing aids are the smallest hearing aids available that offer both cosmetic and hearing advantages.
In-the-Canal (ITC)
In-the-canal instruments are placed in the lower portion of the outer ear bowl. This positioning makes them comfortable and easy to use making them ideal for first-time hearing aid wearers. Due to their bigger housings, ITC hearing aids offer longer battery life and can accommodate more features such as volume controls and directional microphones.
In-the-Ear (ITE) or Full-Shell ITEs
This type of hearing aid is widely recommended for mild-to-severe hearing loss because of its flexibility and versatility. It can also allow additional controls such as directional microphones. ITEs can fit large receivers which makes them powerful enough for severe hearing loss.
Behind-the-Ear (BTE)
True to their name, BTEs are positioned behind the ear, following the shape behind the outer ear. BTEs can accommodate many features including volume control and program buttons. A clear plastic tube connects the hearing aid case to an earmold.
Newer BTE hearing aids offer open-fit technology that keeps the ears open to sound. Through open-fit technology, the chances of “plugging up” the ear are eliminated.
How does open-fit technology work?
The pitches that a hearing aid wearer doesn’t need to be amplified will travel normally through the ear canal, making the listening experience natural and comfortable. Meanwhile, the pitches that need to be amplified arrive directly from the open ear and the hearing aid.
Hearing Aid Fitting
Hearing aid fitting is the process where we program your hearing aids based on a prescription to accurately meet your hearing requirements. Cary Audiology uses real ear measurements to precisely verify if the hearing aids are accurately programmed.
Real ear measurement helps us ensure that your hearing aids give optimal results. Our audiologists will also assess your subjective benefit from the hearing aids through our Client Oriented Scale of Improvement (COSI).
During the hearing aid fitting, we will explain the basics of how to use your hearing aids; how to insert and remove them, how to care for and clean the devices, and how to replace batteries.
We suggest that you bring a family member or a close friend to the hearing aid fitting to offer support and help you remember all the information provided during the appointment.
Hearing Aid Programming and Adjustments
Hearing aid fitting is the beginning of your journey to better hearing. Adjusting to hearing aids is a whole new chapter. Each person has a different pace when adjusting to hearing aids but it often takes weeks or months to fully acclimate.
We encourage our patients to wear their hearing aids consistently to help with the adjustment period. There will be several follow-up visits after the initial fitting to make necessary adjustments. As your brain adjusts to new sounds, we will make adjustments accordingly.
Adjusting to new hearing aids takes time, commitment, and dedication from the wearer. Our audiologists at Cary Audiology work closely with patients to ensure that the needed support and optimal benefits from hearing aids are provided.
Hearing Aid Repairs
Hearing aids have small working parts, and it is not uncommon over time for a hearing aid to need a repair. Wax, moisture, and everyday wear and tear can impact the performance of hearing aids. Minor problems may occur, even when the hearing aids are properly cared for. Some minor hearing aid repairs can be done in the office setting in a short period of time; others will need to be sent to the manufacturer for repair. Our hearing professionals can help determine what kind of repair is necessary if you feel your hearing aid is not working properly.
Do we repair hearing aids not purchased from Cary Audiology?
Yes! If you are a current patient of our clinic and you have trouble with your hearing aids that were not fit in our office, we are happy to try to repair your hearing aids.
Cary Audiology services hearing aids from major hearing aid manufacturers. When purchased brand new, hearing aids come with a warranty. If the warranty of your device has already expired, we can still repair it with a minimal fee.
Hearing Aid Loaners
If ever your hearing aids need to be sent to the manufacturer for repair, we will provide a loaner for you to wear in the meantime.
Follow-up and Maintenance
Cary Audiology offers a 60-day assessment period with every purchase of a hearing aid from our office. This period gives our patients a chance to determine whether or not they are completely satisfied with the new hearing devices.
Follow-up appointments will also be scheduled during this assessment period to monitor your progress and carry out any adjustments as needed.
To monitor any changes in your hearing and to be sure your hearing aids are working optimally, we recommend an annual evaluation. These appointments are a good opportunity for your audiologist to make any programming adjustments as needed, and to verify hearing aid performance using real ear measurement testing.
Hearing Aid Services in Cary, NC
We understand that hearing aids play a big role in our patient’s daily activities. Cary Audiology offers a wide range of hearing aid services including hearing aid fitting, real ear measurement, hearing aid repairs, and maintenance.
Let us help you keep your hearing aids in mint condition so you never miss a beat!
Contact us today to know more about our available hearing aid services.
