Why Do Some People Avoid or Put Off Getting A Hearing Instrument?
While there are many reasons why people with hearing loss put off getting hearing aids, the major reason is that many are not aware of the “real” benefits that modern hearing instruments provide. Some base their decision on a bad experience that they or their friends may have had with their hearing aids (e.g., whistling) in the past. Many still think that their hearing loss is too mild to need help or too severe to get any help. The fact is that modern hearing instruments are very different from older hearing aids and can be helpful to the majority of people with a hearing loss.
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What is a digital hearing aid? A digital hearing aid turns the sound into a series of digits and numbers. These numbers are easy to manipulate using complex mathematical formulae; this means that we can have very sophisticated processing in a very small chip inside the hearing aid.
What Are the Benefits of Digital Hearing Technology vs. Analog Hearing Technology? Digital hearing technology uses digital signal processing (DSP) techniques to manipulate sounds. In analog hearing technology, sounds are simply amplified in specific ways. This means that sounds that are processed by a DSP hearing aid can be more fine-tuned to the individual than an analog hearing aid. This allows for better, cleaner and clearer sound quality. In addition, DSP is intelligent processing. This means that the DSP hearing aids can not only process sounds, it can also determine if the sounds are “speech” or “noise” using special procedures. If it perceives “speech,” the DSP hearing aid will work to amplify the speech sounds in the intended manner. However, if it perceives “noise,” the DSP hearing aid will work to automatically reduce its amplification in the “noise” region. This improves the wearer's listening comfort in the noisy environment. For some people, it may even improve their speech understanding. Go to Product Information to find out more on our full range of digital hearing aids, including the new Senso Diva.
What Is the Average Cost of Digital Hearing Instruments? As a manufacturer of digital hearing instruments, (and not a retail company), Widex does not set the exact price that a consumer may ultimately pay for their hearing aids. The prices are determined by your local Hearing Healthcare Professionals. Widex Hearing Aid Company has three levels of digital hearing instruments that vary in their sophistication and prices. Lower cost digital instruments like Bravo, advanced digital hearing instruments like Senso Plus, and premium digital hearing instruments like Senso Diva.
What are the main differences between a lower cost digital hearing instrument, an advanced digital hearing instrument, and a premier digital hearing instrument?
The sophistication of the features on a DSP hearing aid directly affects its cost to the consumer. A lower cost digital hearing instrument offers very good performance in noise, very good listening comfort in noise, very good sound quality in typical situations, they manage “whistling” with some sacrifice in volume, and soft sounds are audible while loud sounds are not uncomfortable. An advanced digital hearing instrument offers excellent performance in noise, excellent listening comfort in noise, excellent sound quality in most situations, no “whistling” in most situations with minimal sacrifice in volume, and excellent audibility of soft speech sounds. A premium digital hearing instrument offers exceptional performance in noise, a Locator microphone, exceptional listening comfort in noise, exceptional sound quality … almost anywhere, no whistling in almost all situations without sacrificing volume, and exceptional audibility of the softest sounds.
How do I know which model is best for me?
Your hearing health professional will be able to advise you on which model of Widex hearing aid best suits your particular hearing loss and needs. Click on our Widex Dispenser's page. There you'll find our contact details. We will gladly assist you in finding the best accredited Widex dispenser in your area, here in South Africa.
What is “Feedback” and How Do Digital Hearing Instruments Help Deal With it? “Feedback” is the annoying whistling sounds that you may hear when you cup your hand around a hearing aid, or when the hearing aid is not seated securely in one's earcanal. Feedback occurs when the sounds amplified by the hearing aid returns to the hearing aid and is re-amplified many times. Wearers of analog hearing aids usually turn down the volume on the hearing aid to stop the feedback. This, of course, makes it difficult for the wearer to hear the intended sounds. Many digital hearing aids, however, are designed to minimize this problem. For example, in the Senso Diva, the Feedback Cancellation System monitors the sounds that go in and come out of the hearing aids to check for feedback. If feedback is identified, it will work to cancel the feedback whistle-automatically! This not only removes the annoyance caused by feedback, but also allows the wearer to use the hearing aids as intended with excellent sound quality.
Can I use my
cell phone with digital hearing aids?
Yes, Widex digital hearing aids are generally compatible with most cell phones. Special filters in the hearing aid filter out the most interference caused by cell phones.
What is so special about Widex digital hearing aids? Widex is a world leader in digital hearing aid technology and is recognised as an expert in sound processing. Our digital hearing aids have proven sound processing, by that we mean that we know that the hearing aids work well because this had been shown in hundreds of independent studies, but more importantly it has reported back by millions of satisfied users from around the world. Read more at Why choose Widex?
What benefits should I expect from Widex Hearing Aids?
Once again your hearing healthcare professional will be able to advise you on this as it will depend on a number of things including : the degree and type of hearing loss, how much damage is in the inner ear (or cochlea), the size and shape of your ear canal and your attitude towards hearing aids. Attitude is quite important as it can take a few weeks for you to get used to a new hearing aid and it is important to have a positive attitude, some patience and to work with the hearing professional to obtain the optimal outcome for you during this time.
Who do I Need to See?
The first step in seeking further information regarding Widex Hearing devices is to make an appointment to see a Widex accredited Hearing Professional.
Click on our Widex Dispenser's page. There you'll find our contact details. We will gladly assist you in finding a dispenser in your area, here in South Africa.
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