Hearing Aid Technology

Hearing aid technology is designed to be prescribed according to a patient’s lifestyle, hearing loss and expectations. Once we have your comprehensive hearing evaluation results, we examine the demands your life places on your hearing.  This may include areas such as in the home, school, work, and recreational activities. We will discuss the amount of time, levels and kinds of background noise in which you need to improve your hearing. We take into account your finger dexterity and any cosmetic or cost concerns. This information is all combined to determine what technology level is prescribed for your hearing loss.

Because the Doctors of Audiology here at the Hearing and Balance Institute of the Rockies, Inc. work with many different hearing aid manufacturers, we can provide hearing aids of different technology and pricing levels. Analog hearing aids are no longer offered by most hearing aid manufacturers today. Digital hearing aids are now the main type that is offered in even the most basic and least expensive hearing aids.  We offer financing and hearing aids that make great hearing affordable.

Assistive Listening Devices

Assistive listening devices are designed to improve your hearing and improve your ability to be alerted to sounds and everyday situations.  Amplified telephones and stethoscopes, smoke detectors, TV listening systems, doorbells and alarm clocks are examples of assistive listening devices. Some assistive listening devices can be used alone or with hearing aids.  Hearing aids can use Bluetooth® and other technologies to become instant “ear-phones” for your MP3 player, phone, TV, car, or to directly and easily hear a spouse or teacher using a miniature companion microphone in even the worst listening environment.

Cochlear Implants

When hearing aids do not improve your hearing, cochlear implants may be an option. A cochlear implant is a small electrode that is surgically inserted into your inner ear. The electrode couples to an externally worn device that transmits sounds to the electrode, which then stimulates your auditory nerve. The Doctors of Audiology at the Hearing and Balance Institute of the Rockies, Inc. can perform a comprehensive hearing evaluation and cochlear implant screening to determine if you would be a good candidate for implantation.

BAHA

When single sided deafness, certain types of conductive hearing losses, and chronic ear drainage conditions make a traditional hearing aid impossible or uncomfortable, a BAHA may be your answer for improving your hearing. During your hearing evaluation, we will determine if you are a good candidate for this device.  You will also have the opportunity to find out how BAHA will sound by using a band to attach the device temporarily to your head. The device requires a relatively minor surgical procedure to implant an anchor into the skull.  We work with excellent neurotologists, who perform the surgery. Once you are completely healed and the surgeon has confirmed osseointegration is complete, the device is fit and programmed by our Doctors of Audiology at the Hearing and Balance Institute of the Rockies, Inc.