Dennis Van Vliet, Au.D & Jason A. Galster, Ph.D.
A Completely-In-The-Canal (CIC) hearing aid can be defined by the location of the faceplate, 1-2 mm inside the aperture of the ear canal (Gudmundsen, 1994). For years the CIC has been the benchmark for small, near-invisible hearing aids. Publications have documented the benefits of CIC fittings, including decreased occlusion (Mueller, 1994), increased satisfaction (Ebinger, Mueller, Holland & Holland, 1994), decreased amplification wind noise (Fourtune & Preves, 1994), and improved localization when compared to Behind-The-Ear (BTE) fittings (Best, Kalluri, McLachlan, Valentine, Edwards & Charlile, 2010). All of these benefits were realized as a result of the fitting style.
Advances in digital modeling, laser-shell fabrication and modern microchip packaging techniques have resulted in hearing aids that are smaller and more powerful than those of the past. Today, custom hearing aids that fit deeply into the ear canal can be built on a routine basis. In fact, hearing aids can now be built to fit past the second bend of the ear canal, allowing the faceplate to be seated deeply in the ear, providing an invisible hearing aid fitting. The performance and cosmetic advantages of this fitting style appeal to a wide variety of hearing aid candidates, many of whom may not consider more visible hearing aid options.
A New Category of Hearing Aid
The convergence of hearing-related technologies allows the CIC to be made smaller than ever; small enough that they can be fit past the second bend of the ear canal. These deeply inserted hearing aids are effectively invisible to others. When the hearing aid is fit to the second bend of the ear canal, it may be considered an Invisible-In-The-Canal, or IIC, a new category with respect to size and position of the device. An IIC hearing aid is one in which the faceplate is at or near the second bend of the ear canal, and the medial aspect of the shell is much closer to the eardrum. The deeper position of the hearing aid allows for several technical advantages.
Acoustic Benefits of Canal Hearing Aid Fitting
The ear canal and pinna filter the natural spectrum of sound before it reaches the eardrum. Microphone placement on BTE hearing aids reduces some of these beneficial effects. The loss of these acoustic cues results in degradation of the wearer's ability to localize sounds. Data collected at Starkey Laboratories, Inc. Suggest that canal placement of the hearing aid microphone retains some aspect of the ears' natural filtering as compared to the microphone placement of a BTE style hearing aid. Data supports the expectation that canal placement of the microphone, as provided by the IIC hearing aid, will allow for improved localization ability when compared to a BTE hearing aid fitting (Best et al., 2010).
The reduced residual ear canal volume associated with an IIC fitting also affects the sound pressure level at the eardrum, effectively increasing the overall efficiency of the hearing aid. As Boyle's law states, as volume decreases, pressure increases. Thus, a smaller volume between the end of the hearing aid and the tympanic membrane yields a greater sound pressure level for equal receiver output.
Impressions for the IIC
The key to an accurate and comfortable fit with IIC hearing aids is an ear impression that extends 10-12 mm beyond the second bend. A good understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the ear canal along with deliberate technique make it possible to safely and easily obtain the impressions necessary for building IIC hearing aids. No special equipment is necessary for IIC impressions. However, instrumentation to illuminate and view the ear canal beyond the second bend is valuable. Silicone impressions take with a high flow, low viscosity material will typically fill the entire canal accurately and completely.
After taking a careful patient history and observing clinically appropriate safety procedure, a flattened oto-dam is placed deep in the canal, very near to the tympanic membrane. Lubrication of the oto-dam with Oto-Ease or a similar agent will improve comfort while placing the oto-dam and ease release of the silicone impression from the ear. Starkey as developed a vented cotton oto-dam that can be used to equalize pressuring during the removal of the cured impression. With proper counseling, the patient experience during impression taking and removal is very similar to standard impressions.
Summary
Modern hearing aid processing and laser shell fabrication have made the creation of small, deep-fitting hearing aids a possibility. Existing worries of feedback have been addressed with feedback cancellation and the patient's experience is being improved by advanced directional and noise reduction technologies. The end result is a highly-featured, premium hearing aid that is invisible when worn, meets the needs of the most discriminating patient.
References
ANSI (2004). ANSI S3.35 "Method of measurement of performance characteristics of hearing aids under simulated real-ear working conditions" (American National Standards Institute, New York).
Best, V., Kalluri, S., McLachlan, S., Valentine, S., Edwards, B., & Charlie, S. (2010). A comparison of CIC and BTE hearing aids for three-dimensional localization of speech. International Journal of Audiology, Early Online, 1-10.
Edinger, K.A., Muller, G.H., Holland, S.A., & Holland, J.W. (1994). Assesing the speech-understanding benefit from CIC hearing aids. The Hearing Journal, 47(11), 35-42.
Fourune, T., & Preeves, D. (1994). Effects of CIC, ITC, and ITE microphone placement on the amplification of wind noise. The Hearing Journal, 47(11), 23-27.
Gudmundsen, G. (1994). Fitting CIC Hearing Aids-Some Practical Pointers. The Hearing Journal, 47(11), 10, 45-48.
Muller, G.H. (1994). CIC hearing aids: What is their impact on the occlusion effect. The Hearing Journal, 47(11), 29-35.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Advantages Beyond Cosmetics Of Deep Canal Hearing Aids
1. Acoustic advantages: The deep canal aid fits deep within the ear canal which allows your ear's natural acoustic features to work their greatest efficiency. This improves the performance achieved by the instrument.
2. Elimination of the volume control: The special features of a deep canal aid eliminate the need for a volume control wheel common to most hearing aids.
3. Wind noise: A hearing aid contained completely within your ear canal reduces the problem of wind noise.
4. Sleeptime wear: The fit, comfort and reduced feedback of a deep canal aid makes it possible to wear during sleep. This allows you to continue to hear important sounds such as speech or alarm signals.
5. Less distortion: A deep canal aid produces greater real-ear output which means that less sound amplification is needed. This reduces the likelihood of sound distortion.
6. A fit for active people: The sureness of a deep canal aid's fit makes it ideal for use during exercise and vigorous work.
7. Less feedback: This aid's position close to the eardrum, secure fit, and minimal venting work together to minimize acoustic feedback.
8. Comfort: A shell precisely made from a mold of your ear usually results in a deep canal aid that is very comfortable to wear.
9. Telephones: With a deep canal aid, you will experience less acoustic feedback. You will also find that this instrument's deep fit helps eliminate the discomfort of placing a telephone to your ear.
10. Easy removal: The permanently attached cord and small size of this aid make it easier to remove from your ear than most in-the-ear instruments.
11. Appearance: This may be the most popular feature. A deep canal aid is virtually invisible when worn.
12. Circuitry: Because of the reduction in the size of electronics, today's deep canal hearing aids are available in 100% digital signal processing.
2. Elimination of the volume control: The special features of a deep canal aid eliminate the need for a volume control wheel common to most hearing aids.
3. Wind noise: A hearing aid contained completely within your ear canal reduces the problem of wind noise.
4. Sleeptime wear: The fit, comfort and reduced feedback of a deep canal aid makes it possible to wear during sleep. This allows you to continue to hear important sounds such as speech or alarm signals.
5. Less distortion: A deep canal aid produces greater real-ear output which means that less sound amplification is needed. This reduces the likelihood of sound distortion.
6. A fit for active people: The sureness of a deep canal aid's fit makes it ideal for use during exercise and vigorous work.
7. Less feedback: This aid's position close to the eardrum, secure fit, and minimal venting work together to minimize acoustic feedback.
8. Comfort: A shell precisely made from a mold of your ear usually results in a deep canal aid that is very comfortable to wear.
9. Telephones: With a deep canal aid, you will experience less acoustic feedback. You will also find that this instrument's deep fit helps eliminate the discomfort of placing a telephone to your ear.
10. Easy removal: The permanently attached cord and small size of this aid make it easier to remove from your ear than most in-the-ear instruments.
11. Appearance: This may be the most popular feature. A deep canal aid is virtually invisible when worn.
12. Circuitry: Because of the reduction in the size of electronics, today's deep canal hearing aids are available in 100% digital signal processing.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
CIC vs IIC
Monday, August 23, 2010
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Starkey OtoLens
Starkey has developed the first custom, completely invisible, fully programmable digital hearing aid called the OtoLens. The new OtoLens is placed so deep in the ear canal it cannot be seen. What's so amazing about this product is that it features top of the line technology.
OtoLens delivers:
Unlike other deep insertion hearing aids which must be inserted by an audiologist (such as the Lyric) OtoLens can be inserted or removed by the patient at anytime. This not only promotes ear health, it also allows the patient to remove the hearing aid when showering or swimming. I don't know about you but I like to clean my ears when I shower!
Safety
Most people take their hearing aids off at night to sleep, as it maybe hard to sleep when you can hear everything. Since the Lyric cannot be removed, the patient will probably turn it off at night. When the Lyric or other deep insertion hearing aid is turned off it is like having ear plugs in. The patient will then experience additional hearing loss up to 40 dB. This can be especially dangerous as the patient may not be able to hear a fire alarm at night. However with the OtoLens the patient can remove the hearing aid at night and still have their natural hearing.
Cost
Not only does the OtoLens have superior digital technology it comes with a much smaller price tag. The OtoLens is priced at $6,995 and will last up to 5 years. The Lyric on the other hand which uses analog technology costs $3,600 per year. Over a 5 year period the cost to have the Lyric would be $18,000.
The OtoLens is the best invisible hearing aid on the market today! Where other companies have created analog standard fit hearing aids, Starkey has created a product that has superior technology, costs less, and promotes ear health.
For more information please visit our web page about the invisible hearing aid at EdisonStanfordHearing.com.
OtoLens delivers:
- Industry-leading feedback eliminator
- 16 channels and 16 bands for high-resolution sound imaging
- A remote function that allows patients to adjust volume and memories using a standard touch-tone phone
- Wide fitting range with up to 60 dB of real ear aided gain
- Voice iQ noise reduction and speech prevention system, which utilizes dynamic voice identification coupled with a spectral noise control that calculates appropriate gain on a per channel basis providing unprecedented sound quality
- Uses the ear's acoustics for natural sound quality
- Custom fit product to the patients specific hearing needs
Unlike other deep insertion hearing aids which must be inserted by an audiologist (such as the Lyric) OtoLens can be inserted or removed by the patient at anytime. This not only promotes ear health, it also allows the patient to remove the hearing aid when showering or swimming. I don't know about you but I like to clean my ears when I shower!
Safety
Most people take their hearing aids off at night to sleep, as it maybe hard to sleep when you can hear everything. Since the Lyric cannot be removed, the patient will probably turn it off at night. When the Lyric or other deep insertion hearing aid is turned off it is like having ear plugs in. The patient will then experience additional hearing loss up to 40 dB. This can be especially dangerous as the patient may not be able to hear a fire alarm at night. However with the OtoLens the patient can remove the hearing aid at night and still have their natural hearing.
Cost
Not only does the OtoLens have superior digital technology it comes with a much smaller price tag. The OtoLens is priced at $6,995 and will last up to 5 years. The Lyric on the other hand which uses analog technology costs $3,600 per year. Over a 5 year period the cost to have the Lyric would be $18,000.
The OtoLens is the best invisible hearing aid on the market today! Where other companies have created analog standard fit hearing aids, Starkey has created a product that has superior technology, costs less, and promotes ear health.
For more information please visit our web page about the invisible hearing aid at EdisonStanfordHearing.com.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Unlike Any Other Hearing Aid
OtoLens is unlike anything on the market, and Starkey created it because of that fact. Other deep insertion hearing aids fail to deliver the quality, customization and performance of OtoLens.
OtoLens delivers:
OtoLens delivers:
- Industry-leading PureWave feedback Eliminator
- Voice IQ noise reduction and speech preservation system, which utilizes dynamic voice identification coupled with a spectral noise control that calculates appropriate gain on a per channel basis providing unprecedented sound quality
- 16 channels and 16 bands for optimal high-resolution sound imaging
- T2 remote function allowing users to adjust volume and memories using a standard touch-tone phone
- More patients to benefit from a deep insertion device than ever before
- Wide fitting range with up to 60 dB of real ear aided gain
Monday, June 28, 2010
Save 50% off suggested retail
This month only save 50% off the suggested retail price of the Starkey OtoLens.
Plus, trade in your old visible hearing aids for credit toward the purchase of new invisible hearing aids!
Call 801-485-5595 in Salt Lake City
or
Call 801-373-5887 in Provo
Plus, trade in your old visible hearing aids for credit toward the purchase of new invisible hearing aids!
Call 801-485-5595 in Salt Lake City
or
Call 801-373-5887 in Provo
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Where do I go to get one?
The invisible hearing aid is available at select hearing professionals, hearing centers, and audiologists across the country. Click here to have a professional Contact you.
What kind of battery does it use?
The invisible hearing aid uses the yellow (10) color code hearing aid battery.
Can I shower or swim with it in?
Like other small electronics, swimming or showering with your hearing aids is not recommended.
Can I wear it while I’m on the phone or using headphones?
The invisible hearing aid can be used on the phone and with headphones.
Am I a candidate for the invisible hearing aids?
More than 70% of hearing loss sufferers can benefit from the invisible-in-the-canal technology. A thorough exam of your ear canal and the results of your hearing test will determine if you qualify.
How is it different from other hearing aids?
Other hearing aids sit behind the ear, or in the visible part of your ear canal. Commonly referred to as BTE, ITC or ITE hearing aids, they are visible to others. The invisible hearing aid sits completely in your ear canal, hidden in the second bend of your ear canal, making it invisible to others.
How is it different from the Lyric hearing aid I’ve read about?
Lyric is a basic analog device that doesn’t use the latest digital technology, nor is it custom fit for your ears. The new invisible-in-the-canal hearing aid is custom made for your unique ear, uses state-of-the-art digital technology and is designed to be removed daily for better ear health.
Does it have the latest in hearing aid technology?
The invisible hearing aid is designed with the industry’s most advanced technologies, including the world’s best feedback canceller — to virtually eliminate buzzing and whistling — and the smartest noise reduction and speech preservation system ever developed, that is designed to help you hear better in noisy environments. All in a style that is completely invisible.
How does it work?
The invisible hearing aid is a small computer that sits comfortably in the second bend of your ear canal. This allows it to use the ear’s natural acoustics and anatomy to deliver more precise, natural sound. It’s custom made for the shape of your ear canal and your hearing professional will set the hearing aid to match your hearing needs, indentified during your exam.
Is it really invisible?
Custom fit to your ear’s unique anatomy using our proprietary Comfort Fit technology, the invisible hearing aid fits inside the second bend of your ear canal — completely out of sight and completely off your mind.
Wondering if you have hearing loss? Take this short test.
Do you:
- Play the TV too loudly?
- Often ask others to repeat themselves?
- Have trouble understanding what’s being said?
If you answered "YES" to one of these questions, click here to have a professional contact you.
Hearing Loss
Why suffer from hearing loss if you don't have to?
Over 30 million Americans suffer from hearing loss. Yet only one in five people who could benefit from a hearing aid actually wear one.
If you've put off getting help for your hearing because you're self conscious about wearing a hearing aid, talk to your hearing professional about the new invisible-in-the-canal hearing aid today.
Your Ear Canal
Fit to your ear. Fit for your life.
Everyone’s ear canal is different, just like everyone’s hearing loss is different. Yet the invisible hearing aid is the only invisible hearing aid custom-fit to your ear’s unique configuration.
When you visit your hearing professional, they’ll assess your hearing loss, examine your ear’s anatomy, and determine if this amazing new invisible hearing aid is right for you.
If it is, they’ll take an impression of your ear canal, then design, configure and program a custom invisible hearing aid specifically for you.
Engineered to fit almost anyone. But designed just for you.
More than 70% of hearing loss sufferers can benefit from the invisible-in-the-canal technology - though a thorough exam of your ear and a hearing test is needed to determine if you qualify. It's ideal for people with active lifestyles, mild to moderately severe hearing loss, or for people who simply don't want to be seen wearing a hearing aid.
If you've been interested in other invisible, extended wear products but have been told you weren't a candidate, talk to your hearing professional about the new invisible hearing aid. It's the only invisible hearing aid that's custom fit for your ears and fully designed to meet your unique hearing needs. It’s not an ITC (in-the-canal), BTE (behind-the-ear), or even a CIC (completely-in-the-canal) hearing aid, it’s invisible in the canal. Going way beyond other hearing aids, this is the world’s very first 100% custom, invisible, digital and programmable hearing aid.
If, for some reason, you are not a candidate, your audiologist or hearing professional can fit you with other styles that are sleek, discreet and feature the same powerful technology.
How it works
The invisible hearing aid is a "deep canal" aid, meaning it rests comfortably in the second bend of your ear canal. This allows it to use the ear's natural acoustics and anatomy to deliver more precise, natural sound.
But it's also completely digital and fully programmable — almost like having a computer chip your ear. The result is a completely invisible hearing aid that provides:
- The smartest noise reduction and speech preservation system designed to filter out unwanted background noise
- Virtually no wind noise interference
- A comfortable, made for you fit
The Invisible Hearing Aid Difference
The world's best technology in a 100% invisible hearing aid.
- Custom designed for your ear
- Virtually no whistling or buzzing
- Natural sounding
- Designed to be removed daily to promote better ear health
- Works great on the phone
The best of both worlds
Don't be fooled by its small size. The invisible hearing aid may be invisible, but it's designed with the industry's most advanced technologies, including the world's best feedback canceller, and the smartest noise reduction and speech preservation system ever developed. You get all the features and benefits you want in a digital hearing aid - minus the visual stigma that comes with wearing one.
Starkey OtoLens
Now you don't have to put off getting help for your hearing because you're self-conscious about wearing a hearing aid. With OtoLens, you can hear better and no one will ever need to know why.
That's because OtoLens fits comfortably inside the second bend of your ear canal, completely out of sight and completely off your mind.
Don't be fooled by its small size. Only OtoLens comes packed with Starkey's industry-leading technologies, including the world's best feedback canceller and the smartest noise reduction and speech preservation system ever developed. The result is a 100% invisible hearing aid that delivers the ultimate in:
- Performance: Utilizes Starkey's industry-leading technologies to eliminate feedback and reduce listening effort.
- Comfort: Fits snugly in the second bend of your ear canal, and uses the ear's acoustics for natural sound quality.
- Personalization: It's the first invisible-in-the-canal hearing aid custom fit specifically for you ears and your hearing needs.
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