Hearing Aid Ratings - Hearing Aid Reviews

Whilst trying to find a hearing aid instrument for our mother, we found a lot of interesting facts that could possibly help others get to know more about the world of hearing loss. Here we will show how we did the hearing aid comparisons and some hearing aid ratings. Join us in the quest of reviewing and comparing the best hearing aids.

Phonak Hearing Aids / Phonak Hearing System

Phonak hearing aids or the Phonak hearing system are produced by the Phonak Group, which is a Switzerland company with its headquarters located in a small town called Staefa, 30 km east of Zurich. They have distributors located in many countries, which offers the Phonak hearing aid and its communications to adults and children in more than 70 countries.

The company’s development and specialisation of high-tech digital hearing systems and global distribution of these hearing systems have led to many awards. In addition, the company have educated people about the importance of hearing, the affects of hearing loss on the individual and what help is available by creating the global initiative ‘Hear the World’.

It has musical ambassador’s Plácido Domingo and the Vienna Philharmonic and Phonak Hearing Systems is the official supplier of the winner of the 32nd America’s Cup Alinghi. Phonak now provides the Alinghi with its on-board communication systems.

Hearing loss of individuals will vary; therefore, each hearing aid will be tailored to the person’s needs. Each Phonak hearing aids are distinguished by design and technology. Phonak hearing aids prices are also very wide-ranged to suit ever budget and needs.

Designs include:
-MicroStyle generation models, such as the microBTE (behind the ear,) which are small and light, and fit behind the ear.
-In the ear (ITE) models, which cover mild to medium hearing loss. Examples include Completely in the Canal (CIC), Mini-Canal in the Canal (ITC), Half Shell (ITC) and Full Shell (ITE).
-Behind the Ear (BTE) models which are worn behind the ear. These are suitable for all types of hearing loss and are especially useful in severe hearing loss.

Technology includes Phonak digital hearing aids, digitally programmable and analogue. Digital hearing aids are programmed via a computer and Phonak have many lines to cater for the individuals’ needs. These include the Exélia, Naída, Audéo, Savia Art, Savia/microSavia, Perseo, MicroPower, Eleva/microEleva, Valeo/miniValeo, Supero, eXtra, Una and MAXX.

Digitally programmable technology includes Astro, MicroZoom, Piconet2, SonoForte2, PowerZoom, NovoForte and the Analogue behind the ear technology includes the Classica, Picoforte3 and Superfront lines.

Other products include:
-iLink, which is a fully integrated wireless connected, small digital hearing instrument.
-eShell, which is an instrument shell made by laser to give a precise 3D model of your ear.
-FM systems which are wireless communication systems that allow clear understanding, when surroundings make hearing difficult (e.g. distance, loud environmental noises)

To check whether you are experiencing hearing problems, you can conduct its online questionnaire, hearing loss demos and hearing test. Or you can contact one of its hearing professionals worldwide.

More Phonak Hearing Aid Reviews

Audibel Hearing Aids

Audibel hearing aids are made by a company based across America. There are over 1,000 Audibel Centres for Hearing Excellence and over 2,000 specially trained hearing professionals with the expertise to help and advise customers chose the best hearing aid for them.

The Audibel hearing aid is powered by a smart chip known as the nFusion technology and is available with Audibel’s Virtue series. The Audibel Virtue hearing aid uses the software Inspire OS and Audibel sequel programing, which learns and provides a more accurate fit. Therefore, allowing the user to adapt better to its surroundings and their hearing becomes clearer. The Virtue Audibel hearing aids were even featured on Paul Harvey’s radio station – America’s most listened to and most beloved radio personality.

The styles of hearing aids include behind the ear (BTE), on the ear (OTE), receiver in the canal (RIC), in the ear (ITE), in the canal (ITC) and completely in the canal (CIC).

Hearing loss in the early stages should be identified for effective treatment and rehabilitation. As a result, Audibel have developed questions for you to assess your symptoms, to determine whether you need to contact a hearing professional. You can download the Audibel’s Hearing Self-Evaluation brochure.

In addition, Audibel have developed a comprehensive online Hearing Loss Simulator. This helps you to understand how loss of hearing can affect speech comprehension and demonstrates the loss of hearing audio differences.

If you are unsure of whether you are suited for an Audibel hearing aid, or have any questions, you are advised to contact a hearing professional, who can determine which hearing aid is best suited to your needs and can tailor the outcome to best match your hearing profile.

Hearing Aid Manufacturers

Researching about hearing aid manufacturers and hearing aid supplies was a complete shock - as I did not realise that there were so many to choose from! That means finding dirt cheap hearing aids are going be hard! Rephrase - finding dirt cheap and effective hearing aids are going to be hard!! Look at the list I found!

Audex Assistive Listening Systems
Audibel
Audient Services, Inc.
Audina
Audio Controle
Audio Controle, Inc.
Audio Medical Devices Limited
Audiocontrole
Authorized Hearing Systems
AVR
Beltone
Beltone Electronics Corp.
Bernafon
Bernafon-Maico
Bosch
Communication Aid Manufacturers Association (CAMA)
Custom Earmold Labs
Danavox
Electone
Electro-Medical Instrument Co.
EMSEE labs
GN ReSound
Hansaton Hearing Systems
Implex
Knowles Electronics, LLC
Magnatone
Microsonic, Inc.
Micro-Tech
Ongbird
Oticon
Oticon Inc.
Phillips
Phonak
Phonak Hearing Systems
Phonic Ear
Precision Laboratories, Inc.
Qualitone
Rexton
Rion
Siemens
Siemens Hearing
Siemens Hearing Instruments
Siemens Hearing Instruments, Inc.
Songbird Hearing Inc.
Sonic Innovations
Starkey
Symphonix
Telex
Transonik
United Hearing Systems
Unitron
Vanco Factory Direct Hearing Center
Widex
Williams Sound Corp.

I was hoping that I would be able to find some sort of consumer reviews on hearing aids, which list the best hearing aids.

Hopefully, with more research I will be able to have hearing aid comparisons so that I can have more knowledge to help decide which would be the most appropriate hearing aid for Mum and what other supplies and information will be beneficial - for example, dry aid for hearing aids, hearing aid battery ratings, where to find cheap hearing aid repair work, assistance with hearing aids cost. Wow, can't wait for Mum to have better hearing!

Symptoms Of Hearing Loss

Not everyone will experience the same symptoms and have the same level of hearing loss. Also, because the symptoms can be quite vague, many people do not realise that they are losing their hearing. This can be very difficult to notice especially amongst young children.

People in their early stages of hearing loss may notice the following:

• Difficulty in hearing conversations, especially if there is background noise
• Frequently asking people to repeat what they have said
• Misunderstanding what people say
• Turning the TV or radio volume to high
• Talking loudly
• Noticing that other people may be mumbling during a conversation
• Difficulty in noticing faint sounds, e.g. birds in the backgrounds
• Mispronouncing words
• Agreeing/nodding during conversation when you’re not sure what has been said
• Reading people’s lips to try and determine what they are saying
• Tinnitus - ringing in the ears