Hearing aids come in varied styles Behind the Ear (BTE), In the Canal, Completely in the Canal (CIC), Receiver in the Canal, Full Shell, Half Shell, Open Ear (no earmold, only a thin tube and dome), and colors. Most hearing aid companies make digital hearing aids that convert sound into computer data. A few still make analog aids that only make sounds louder. Others make hearing aids that resist water and sweat. About.com has a Hearing Aid Gallery. Hearing aid technology advances so quickly that "advanced" features today will be "standard" features tomorrow.
Amplisound is a manufacturer of digital hearing aids. Amplisound focuses on mild to severe hearing loss. Their products include a micro BTE aid, CIC hearing aids, and full shell hearing aids. Their micro BTE uses a custom, open earmold. Available features (some optional and some included) are a directional microphone, a telephone program, feedback reduction, and a low-battery signal.
Feedback is an annoying whistling or squealing sound made by a hearing aid, often because of improperly fitted earmolds. It happens when sound going out of the speaker returns into the microphone.
Audibel, a hearing aid manufacturer, has a line of digital hearing aids. Standard features include automatic telephone detection, directional speech detection, environmental adaptation, and feedback elimination. More advanced features include voice indicators in multiple languages that can do things like provide low-battery alerts and audible reminders of appointments with hearing healthcare providers.
Audina, a hearing aid manufacturer, offers hearing aids with features such as the ability to enhance speech and eliminate background noise, cancel feedback, and adjust to the environment. In addition, Audina is also one of the few manufacturers still offering analog hearing aids. The other hearing aids are programmable, open ear, BTE, or custom digital. One model can be adjusted with a screwdriver, so computers and software are not needed. Another model has a "power on delay" feature that delays powering on the hearing aid for a few seconds so the user can insert the hearing aid without having to cope with feedback.
Beltone is a manufacturer of hearing aids. Beltone hearing aid products are on the site under "Shell Styles." All their hearing aids are digital. Products range from a CIC instrument where the only thing visible is the part used to put it in and take it out. An in-the-canal type of hearing aid can barely be seen. The in-the-ear style fills the concha, which is the visible part of the ear. When the open ear fitted style hearing aids are viewed from the side, the only visible part is the thin tube that goes over the ear. Beltone also offers four levels of circuitry, from basic to premier.
Bernafon, a manufacturer of hearing aids, is based in Switzerland and makes a full line of digital hearing aids. Bernafon uses the term "Receiver in the ear" to refer to a "receiver in the canal" type open fit hearing aid. Other models include the micro BTE, a very small version of a BTE hearing aid. Regular BTEs are also available, and can have more power and features than a micro BTE. The remaining models are in-the-ear, in-the-canal, and the completely-in-the-canal. One line of hearing aids is intended as a fashion statement, with an oval shaped design.
Electone is a hearing aid manufacturer. Electone makes both non-programmable and programmable digital hearing aids. Standard features include feedback cancellation, and input/output compression. More advanced models have directional signal processing and memories for different environments.
Elkon is a hearing aid manufacturer in India. Elkon makes hearing aids for a range of hearing losses, including in-the-canal hearing aids, BTE , and in-the-ear. Their hearing aids emphasize hybrid circuitry (it is not clear from the website what is meant by hybrid circuitry). The company also makes "pocket models," which sound like body-worn aids, and "Spectacles," which are hearing aids attached to glasses. Key features include tone control and telephone coils.
Eurion is a hearing aid manufacturer in Switzerland. They make a line of watertight hearing aids that can stay underwater for as long as 10 minutes. Plus, the hearing aids can cope well in extreme weather conditions. The hearing aids come in bright colors and one model is even transparent. The hearing aids are designed for easy use by people with less manual dexterity, featuring buttons for volume control and program selection. The aids allow direct connection of certain audio inputs such as television or an auditory trainer. There is also an LCD display that shows the status -- M (on), N (noise suppression), T (telephone), MT (microphone and telephone), and the volume setting in numbers from 1 to 25.
Hansaton is a Germany-based hearing aid manufacturer. Their digital hearing aid products include a hearing aid with a rechargeable battery system. Their line includes in-the-ear hearing aids, and BTE. Features include wireless synchronization when two hearing aids are used (the hearing aids actually communicate with each other, comparing incoming signals), feedback control, and environmental adaptation. An open ear model is 26 millimeters tall.
Insound Medical, Inc. sells an "invisible" in-the-canal hearing aid with a soft exterior that can be worn for extended periods of time without having to take it out. It does not need to be taken out to shower (but must be taken out to swim) or sleep. The hearing aid can stay hidden in the canal for as long as 120 days per fitting. A removal tool is used to take it out if needed. It needs to be replaced about six times a year. Customers must pay for a full year's worth of hearing aids at a time. It is intended for people with mild to moderate hearing loss.
