Hearing Aid: Comparison

Which Is The Best Hearing Aid?

The best hearing aid technology for you depends on the type and severity of hearing loss, as well as how active your lifestyle is. For people with profound hearing loss, a hearing aid may not be the right solution, although technologically advanced hearing aids can provide a great deal of amplification and clarification of everyday sounds.

Most hearing aids these days contain advanced sound processing technology, some powered by artificial intelligence, to isolate the sounds you want to hear and provide the highest sound quality. These digital hearing aids perform very well and can be inconspicuous as well as stylish.

Completely in the Canal (CIC)

CIC or mini-CIC hearing aids are designed completely within the ear. These are popular because they are more discreet as the smallest type of hearing aids. CIC hearing aids are usually a suitable option for many adults with mild to moderate hearing loss. They are also less likely to pick up wind noise, which may be beneficial for patients who spend a great deal of time outdoors.

However, CIC hearing aids have some downsides. They use very small batteries, which need to be replaced more frequently and can be difficult to place. They typically do not have additional features that some patients may need, like volume controls or directional microphones. Finally, CIC hearing aids can be prone to earwax clogging.

In the Canal (ITC)

ITC hearing aids are custom-molded to fit partially in the ear canal to improve mild to moderate hearing loss. While slightly more noticeable than CIC models, ITC hearing aids are still rather inconspicuous. Like CIC models, ITC hearing aids can be difficult to handle due to their small size and are susceptible to earwax clogging. However, they offer a few more features that some patients need, like volume control.

In the Ear (ITE)

ITE hearing aids are custom-made to fill either the entire outer ear or just the lower part—these options are known as “full shell” and “half shell,” respectively. This is a better option for people who have more severe hearing loss thanks to more available features such as directional microphones. Additionally, ITE hearing aids tend to use larger batteries that can last longer. One downside, however, is that this style may pick up more wind noise.

Behind the Ear (BTE)

BTE hearing aids connect over the top of the ear, with a majority of the hearing aid resting behind the ear. This is connected to a small, custom earpiece that directs sound to the ear canal. While traditionally BTE hearing aids are the largest type, newer models are more streamlined and inconspicuous. They are better options for those with severe hearing loss and can amplify sound better, with features like directional microphones and rechargeable batteries available.

Receiver in the Canal (RIC) / Ear (RITE)

RIC and RITE hearing aids look similar to BTE hearing aids, but a wire hooks over the ear rather than tubing. Aside from this difference, RIC and RITE are overall similar to BTE hearing aids for hearing aid users, with more or less the same pros and cons.

Open Fit

Open fit hearing aids are another variation of BTE hearing aids. Open fit styles leave more of the ear canal open, allowing for low-frequency sounds to naturally enter the ear while high-frequency sounds are amplified. Patients with high-frequency hearing loss often prefer this option because their own voices sound more natural and their ears don’t feel plugged by the hearing aid. However, some find that open fit hearing aids are difficult to insert in the ear.

Included with All Hearing Aids

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Additional Hearing Aid Features

Some hearing aids include special features for ease-of-use.

Additional features are available for many types of hearing aids that can increase their effectiveness for some patients or add convenience. Some options include:

• Noise reduction, including wind noise reduction
• Directional microphones, improving pickup of sound from specified directions
• Telecoils, which make it easier to hear on the telephone
• Direct audio input, which can be connected to a television, smartphone, or computer
• Synchronization, so two hearing aids function together seamlessly
• Wireless connectivity, which can connect the hearing aid to a Bluetooth device
• Remote controls, to adjust the hearing aid without touching the device itself
• Variable programming
• Rechargeable batteries

Signia Products

Basic comparison chart for Signia hearing aids.

Signia Styletto X

Overview

The Styletto X hearing aid is a slim, inconspicuous hearing aid that includes advanced technology for better speech comprehension and acoustic-motion sensors to adapt to various situations. Get the pocket-sized hearing aid charger with Qi wireless charging technology to hear on the go for up to 3 days between charges!

Volume Control

Can be adjusted from your phone and from the buttons on the device

Phone Streaming

Can be adjusted from your phone and from the buttons on the device

Battery Life

16-19 Hour Wear Time

How It Fits

Behind The Ear (BTE)

Warranty

3 Years

Signia Pure Charge&Go X

Overview

Pure Charge&Go X hearing aids produce clear sound through acoustic-motion sensor technology which allows you to hear clearly in all settings and engage in active conversation. In addition, the hearing aids’ unique wireless charger allows you to quickly charge the long-lasting battery wherever you are, while Bluetooth connectivity and the Signia app remote control enhances convenience.

Volume Control

Can be adjusted from your phone and from the buttons on the device

Phone Streaming

Directly stream calls and audio directly from your iPhone. (Android requires an additional accessory, the StreamLine Mic)

Battery Life

21-24 Hour Wear Time

How It Fits

Behind The Ear (BTE)

Warranty

3 Years

Signia Silk X

Overview

Silk X hearing aids are adaptable to fit well on your ears, offering the comfort of a custom-made device. Designed to work seamlessly while listening to music or making phone calls, Silk X is a discreet option that can be paired with remote controls or the Signia app.

Volume Control

Can be adjusted from your phone and from the buttons on the device

Phone Streaming

Can be adjusted and programmed through any phone, but cannot stream audio

Battery Life

5-7 Days

How It Fits

Completely In Canal (CIC)

Warranty

3 Years

Starkey Products

Basic comparison chart for Starkey hearing aids.

Starkey Livio Edge AI

Overview

Livio Edge AI utilizes artificial intelligence to instantly adjust to different environments and situations. This allows you to hear speech and phone calls even with significant background noise. The Livio Edge AI also pairs with Bluetooth accessories or your smartphone.

Volume Control

Can be adjusted from your phone and from the buttons on the device

Phone Streaming

Directly stream calls and audio directly from your iPhone and some Android devices

Battery Life

24 Hour Wear Time

How It Fits

BTE, RIC, ITE, and ITC models available

Warranty

3 Year

Starkey Livio AI

Overview

Livio Edge AI utilizes artificial intelligence to instantly adjust to different environments and situations. This allows you to hear speech and phone calls even with significant background noise. The Livio Edge AI also pairs with Bluetooth accessories or your smartphone.

Volume Control

Can be adjusted from your phone and from the buttons on the device

Phone Streaming

Directly stream calls and audio directly from your iPhone and some Android devices.

Battery Life

24 Hour Wear Time

How It Fits

BTE, RIC, ITE, and ITC models available

Warranty

3 Years

Starkey Livio

Overview

Hear conversations with ease and clarity in all environments — even ones that include facemasks — and enjoy the reliable streaming performance with Livio. Livio hearing aids by Starkey help you connect to your world through ease of connectivity to Apple and Android devices via Bluetooth. Control your hearing aid settings and access an array of features, via the Thrive Hearing Control App.

Volume Control

Can be adjusted from your phone and from the buttons on the device

Phone Streaming

Directly stream calls and audio directly from your iPhone and some Android devices

Battery Life

24 Hour Wear Time

How It Fits

BTE, RIC, ITE, and ITC models available

Warranty

3 Years

What Should I Look For In Purchasing A Hearing Aid?

New hearing aids come with Bluetooth connection and the ability to isolate sounds in various positions and eliminate background noise for clearer amplification. If these features are important to you, you should look into the app that pairs with specific hearing aids, as well as think through whether you’ll actually use the features they come with. Additional things to look for include:

• Size and fit. Does the style of the hearing aid, whether worn in or outside the ear, matter to you?
• Additional features. Is having extra sound processing features important? Which ones do you think will help best in your daily life?
• Battery. Is it difficult to replace tiny hearing aid batteries and fiddle with small components of the device itself?
• Type. Is your hearing loss greater at certain pitches rather than others?

Which Hearing Aid Is Most Affordable?

Generally speaking, hearing aids with more features and more advanced technology are the more expensive ones. Affordable hearing aids may offer only basic amplification, although digital technology has allowed even the most simple hearing aids to provide high-quality sound and feedback protection for ease of use.

Financing For Hearing Aids

At Georgia Hearing Aid Factory Outlet, we understand that the price of the best hearing aid can be prohibitive for certain budgets. That’s why we offer two financing options through CareCredit and Healthiplan to help make hearing aids affordable for everyone. Prioritizing your long-term health by restoring your hearing with hearing aids is an invaluable investment that we’re happy to help you make.

What is the Best Hearing Aid Style?

All new hearing aids are effective at helping people with varying types and severities of hearing loss regain their independence and lifestyle, and the best hearing aid style is the one that matches each person’s unique needs for hearing restoration. For people who are concerned about hearing aids being seen by others, in-the-canal or completely-in-the-canal styles are the most discreet. For the most advanced technology and the potential for having a rechargeable hearing aid, a receiver-in-the-ear style is most likely to have cutting-edge capabilities and features. 

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Lori Dominey

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I would give them more stars if I could! Everyone was very helpful and spoke clearly and loudly enough through their masks. I was attended to immediately and everything moved along like a well-oiled machine. More

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Scot Allen

I had the greatest experience! The ladies helped me with insurance needs and fitted me with a great pair of hearing aids. I was impressed every step of the way. When I need an adjustment I'm able to get an update quickly on my app. I could not give Athens Hearing Aid Factory a better review! 100 % awesomeness! More

October 1, 2019

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