Introducing The Invisible-In-Canal Hearing Aid

As a hearing professional, I always find that I am noticing people wearing aids in public situations, such as at sporting events or the airport.  Mostly, because it’s my profession, but also because hearing aids of the past have been so big and noticeable, and I put great emphasis on the word PAST. 

With today’s latest hearing aids, many new options are available that are invisible* to the eye when worn.  The exact level of invisibility depends on the size of your ear canal, but, for many, these invisible-in-canal size hearing aids will help those with hearing losses receive the benefits of wearing a hearing aid without having it known to others, even their closest colleagues or friends.  The most significant of these new invisible-in-canal products is called SoundLens, made by Starkey. 

The SoundLens is custom made to fit exactly to the contours of your ear canal, so comfortable that many report forgetting they have it in.  While the size has become smaller, the technology continues to get more advanced and powerful.  The SoundLens is a digital and fully programmable hearing aid that is designed to virtually eliminate feedback and reduce background noise in noisy environments.  Not only may you not feel like you are wearing a hearing aid, but you won’t have to remember to change settings or programs when switching from quiet to noisy environments.  Candidacy for this product does depend on your degree of hearing loss as significant losses may need a more powerful solution.  Though, many hearing aid options are available in slightly bigger sizes that are still hard to notice when worn in the ear and equally effortless to use.

For myself, it looks like my days of being able to spot hearing aid wearers in public may be coming to an end, which is fantastic.  If you or a loved one feel that they could benefit from wearing a hearing aid but don’t want to have to feel like you are wearing a hearing aid, the invisible-in-canal solutions may be right for you.  Simply visit the Contact Us page of our website to request more information and we will be in touch to answer all of your questions or schedule a free appointment.

*Individual results may vary.  Invisibility may vary based on your ear’s anatomy.

Check out our E brochure here: advancedtechhearingaidcenters.ebrochure

Ed Kocher, ACA, BC-HIS
Founder
Certified Audioprosthologist
Board Certified Hearing Instrument Specialist

Baldness, freckles…hearing loss? Yes, it seems we can inherit many of our parents’ traits, whether or not we truly want them. While we have known for years that different conditions such as baldness, high blood pressure, poor eyesight can have genetic origins, recent studies have revealed more information into the genetic causes of hearing loss in many individuals.
A recent study from the National Institutes of Health indicates that almost 70 different genes in our DNA have been identified as responsible for hereditary hearing loss. Researchers expect this number to increase as more gene candidates are explored.
So while the majority of the hearing losses we see involve some degree of prior noise exposure, it is becoming more and more commonplace to see individuals who have genetic factors involved with their condition. Unfortunately, this is not something you can change. However, recognizing the signs of hearing loss early on and getting the appropriate care can help reduce the impact that hearing loss will have.
At we can treat all individuals with hearing loss difficulties, regardless of the cause. If you feel that you or a loved one is experiencing struggles with hearing loss, we encourage you to take the first step to better hearing and make an appointment for a free consultation today. Simply go to our Contact Us page and submit your information and we will be in touch within one business day.

Ed Kocher, ACA, BC-HIS
Founder
Certified Audioprosthologist
Board Certified Hearing Instrument Specialist

Imagine no longer having to strain to hear the television or radio.  Imagine not having to upset your friends or spouse by keeping the television at a high volume just to be able to hear a show due to hearing loss difficulties.  With today’s hearing aid technology, these aspirations have now become a reality.  At AdvancedTech Hearing Aid Centers we are excited to introduce Starkey’s new wireless hearing aids, Wi Series. 

The new Wi Series hearing aids offer many innovative features focused on wireless capabilities to enhance the experience of wearing hearing aids.  Firstly, the hearing aids provide a superior listening experience through many intuitive features that makes using a hearing aid hassle-free.  The Wi Series hearing aids are especially designed to enhance hearing in noisy environments by reducing background noises and preserving speech audibility.  Also, these new hearing aids prevent any whistling or buzzing from feedback and work well with telephone use.  Lastly, as displayed below, the hearing aids can be easily paired with a media device to receive streaming audio input from TVs or music players directly into your hearing aids.

At AdvancedTech Hearing Aid Centers we want to ensure all who can benefit from hearing loss solutions that we provide the latest advancements in new hearing aid technology.  We offer an array of hearing aid technology, sizes and styles so there is a hearing aid option right for every patient’s budgetary and lifestyle needs.  If are interested to receive more information on the new Wi Series from Starkey or would like to make an appointment to have an in-office demonstration, simply submit your contact information on our Contact Us page today.

Ed Kocher, ACA, BC-HIS
Founder
Certified Audioprosthologist
Board Certified Hearing Instrument Specialist

3 Common Myths about Hearing Loss

Today there are over 32 million Americans who suffer from some degree of hearing loss.  Yet, only a small percentage of these individuals have sought a professional to have their hearing checked and receive a hearing aid, if needed.  Having a hearing test is easy and free and can put you on a path to re-connecting with missing sounds through better hearing.  Too often, some common misconceptions about hearing loss prevent people from taking the first step in making an appointment for a hearing test.  To prevent a similar outcome for you and your loved ones we wanted to clear up some of the confusion around identifying and treating a hearing loss.

Myth #1:  I had a hearing loss, my family Doctor would have told me.

Fact:  While your physician is aware and concerned for your hearing health, identifying various degrees of hearing loss can be difficult to do.  Since most people with a hearing loss hear decently in quieter environments, such as a Doctor’s office, recognizing the need for treatment may be hard to do.  A hearing professional can provide a comprehensive examination with specialized testing equipment to identify the nature and extent of your hearing loss.

Myth #2:  Hearing loss affects only those who work in noisy conditions and seniors.

Fact:  Since there are causes of hearing loss beyond extended noise exposure and aging, hearing loss can occur at any time and age.  In fact, according to the Better Hearing Institute, 65% of those with reported hearing loss are under age 65.  Additionally, there are an estimated 6 million people in the U.S. with a hearing loss between the ages of 18-44.  The earlier you treat hearing loss the less it will affect your quality of life.

Myth #3:  Some hearing losses are too severe to be treated.

Fact:  With the rapid advancement in hearing testing and hearing aid technology very few individuals will go without an option for treatment.  More and more people with profound hearing loss are finding that there is an array of available options for assistance and amplification available today that can benefit them. 

The best way to treat your hearing loss or help someone suffering from hearing loss is to take the first step and make an appointment for a hearing examination.  At Advancedtech Hearing Aid Centers we offer complimentary examinations and consultations.  Simply request an appointment by entering your information on our Contact Us page and we will be in touch to schedule an appointment.

Having a hearing loss today is not as uncommon as one may believe.  However, it seems as if seeking treatment is less likely to occur with those who do have a hearing loss.  The following statistics from the Better Hearing Institute below illustrate this gap between those with hearing losses and those who seek care.  While we at AdvancedTech Hearing Aid Centers have been able to care for numerous individuals in the community, it is surprising to be reminded that there are so many that are not receiving the care that they should have.

-          1 in 4 workers exposed to high levels of noise will develop a hearing loss

-          Only 13% of general practitioners screen for hearing loss.

-          3 in every 10 people over age 60 have a hearing loss

-          1 in every 6 baby boomers (ages 41-59) has a hearing loss.

-          1 in every 14 Generation X’ers (29-40) already has a hearing loss.

-          1.4 million children (under 18) have hearing problems, the same amount as

-          Only 1 out of 5 people who could benefit from a hearing aid actually wear one.

-          9 out of 10 hearing aid users report improvements in their quality of life.

Clearly, these statistics are startling.  This truly indicates that a lot of people are choosing to go without the benefits of solutions for their hearing loss.  Most often, this can be due to confusion over what benefit hearing aids can provide and which type of hearing aid is best for a specific person’s loss.  Also, cost can be a factor.  At AdvancedTech Hearing Aid Centers we provide complimentary consultations to identify which of our many affordable hearing aid products may be recommended for each patient’s unique hearing loss.  If you or a loved one are interested in getting the care you deserve, simply submit your information on the Contact Us page of our website.

Ed Kocher, ACA, BC-HIS
Founder
Certified Audioprosthologist
Board Certified Hearing Instrument Specialist