Hearing Aids This is an exciting time to be fitting hearing aids..., Advances in technology are finally eliminating most of the problems that have previously been difficult to overcome. Almost all the hearing aids we fit are 100% digital... in other words they are 100% computerized. This means that we can include sophisticated circuitry to reduce background noise, reduce occlusion (that plugged sensation that can occur when hearing aids are worn), and automatically adjust the volume. All of our hearing aids are fitted on a 60-day trial basis -- that means that we are not satisfied with the fitting until you are 100% satisfied. We never want a patient to keep their hearing aids unless they are 100% satisfied. Making sure hearing aids are adjusted properly. Almost all digital hearing aids are computer programmed but this, by itself, does not assure that the hearing aids are fitted properly. We use two computers when we fit a hearing aid, one programs the hearing aid and the other verifies that the programmed settings are appropriate. It is hard for us to believe, but research tells us that only 20% of audiologists utilize probe microphone measurements when fitting hearing aids. Both of our offices are equipped with state-of-the-art AudioScan Verifit hearing aid analysis equipment. This allows us to perform precise measurements to make sure that all aspects of our hearing aid fittings are accurate. The importance of this cannot be overstated. Follow-up care. Both of our offices are open full-time... Monday through Friday. We encourage patients to come in on a walk-in basis for free follow-up services. Every hearing aid fitting comes with Free Lifetime Service through our offices. This means that routine maintenance, hearing aid reprogramming, and in-office hearing aid repairs are performed at no charge. This allows our patients to get immediate attention to any problem they might have... and, best of all, there is no charge for the services. There is no other office in this area that has our "know-how" or our dedication to our patients. In-Office Repair Lab We have diagnostic, operating room quality, binocular microscopes in both of our offices. This allows us to see problems with hearing aids so that we can correct them. We can fix hearing aids here in our office approximately 80% of the time... and that's just part of our Free Lifetime Service. This is a great time-savings and cost-savings to our patients. In-Office Ear Mold Lab Over the years we have used all of the top-rated ear mold laboratories. Although there are a number of good labs, we have never been 100% satisfied with any lab. We are therefore doing our own ear mold work. This allows us to achieve much higher-quality control. We also have an advantage over the Ear Mold Labs -- none of which are in the Buffalo area. We can see how well we are doing with each mold that we make and fit. We use only materials of the highest grade. We can make hard acrylic ear molds as well medical-grade silicon ear molds. Our custom-made ear molds are included with every behind the ear hearing aid fitting at no additional charge. Our Hearing Aid Manufacturers  It's hard to believe that Oticon has been in the business of manufacturing hearing aids for 100 years. Oticon has led the industry with a number of recent "firsts". They develop the first 100% digital hearing aid in 1996. In 2001 they released the first hearing aid with digital feedback cancellation (the Oticon Adapto). In 2004 they released the first hearing aid with artificial intelligence (the Oticon Syncro). In 2005 they released a mid-priced hearing aid with artificial intelligence (the Oticon Tego). In 2005 they also released the first super power behind the ear hearing aid with digital feedback cancellation (the Oticon Sumo DM) ReSound has also had a number of industry "firsts". In 1988, they released a computer programmed two-channel hearing aid that utilized automatic volume control and a remote-control for the patient. ReSound developed the first ultra-small behind the ear hearing aid to use micro-tubing. This instrument, the ReSound Avance, was released in 1998. This hearing aid allowed us to fit high frequency hearing losses in a cosmetic and occlusion-free manner that was never before possible. In 2003, they introduced the ReSound Air. This digital instrument replaced the analog ReSound Avance. The ReSound Air allowed us to expand the fitting range of its predecessor, the Avance, to include both mild and moderate hearing losses. The ReSound Air enables occlusion-free fittings by the use of their highly effective digital feedback cancellation circuitry and their extremely fast "warp compression" automatic volume control technology. The ReSound Air uses what they call "open platform" technology... this means that any circuit upgrade can be programmed into any previously fitted Resound Air instrument. Along with our Free Lifetime Service Policy, any circuit upgrade is performed at no charge. All of our very cosmetic Resound Air fittings include very small/nearly invisible canal molds that we have designed in our Ear Mold Lab. Our custom-made ear molds are included with every behind the ear hearing aid fitting at no charge. Phonak has also had a number of industry "firsts". In the mid 1990s, Phonak released the first hearing aid to effectively reduce background noise "the Phonak AudioZoom". This was the first hearing aid that the FDA allowed to advertise claims of background noise reduction. Prior to this other companies had been cited by the FDA for false advertising for making these claims. In order to allow the advanced features of the Phonak AudioZoom, Phonak also introduced a highly effective remote-control. Phonak has continued to retain industry leadership in the area of noise reduction hearing aids and remote controls. In 2001 they introduced the first wristwatch remote-control, the WatchPilot. The WatchPilot is both a functional wristwatch as well as a remote-control for the hearing aid. In 2005 Phonak released the KeyPilot, a small keychain remote-control that looks like an automobile remote-control (keyless entry).Oticon, ReSound, and Phonak are our three biggest suppliers of hearing aids. To a lesser extent, we also use Sebotek , Widex, Sonovation, Unitron, Starkey, and Vivatone.  Starkey is a world leader in the design, development and distribution of comprehensive hearing solutions. We believe in using superior hearing technology as a means to something even greater—creating meaningful connections between people and their worlds.With 35 facilities in more than 24 countries around the globe, Starkey is an industry leader in hearing instrument manufacturing. We create top quality diagnostic equipment, hearing protection products, wireless technology and unique hearing solutions for every environment. |
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