Southwestern Hearing Center is dedicated to giving its patients the high quality hearing instruments, with revolutionary technology, at competitive prices.

We want you to be knowledgeable of the type of hearing instrument you are getting. No two hearing impairments are the same. So a hearing solution can't be one-size-fits-all. This is why it is important to have your hearing tested to determine which will work best for you.

Click the links below to learn more

• Styles of Hearing Instruments
• Technology in Hearing Instruments
• New Rhapsody Hearing Instruments
• Others Hearing Devices

Which Hearing Instrument Should You Choose?
When you choose a hearing instrument there are 2 different elements to consider, the style and the technology.

Styles of Hearing Instruments
Style refers to the shape and the size of the hearing instrument. There are several factors that should be considered when determining which style is appropriate for you:

• The shape and size of your outer ear and ear canal
• Our manual dexterity
• The degree of hearing loss present
• The amount of wax your ear produces
• Other medical conditions that make it difficult to have any device in you ear canal

Keep in mind how well your hearing instrument fits and how easy it is to use increases the likelihood of a successful outcome.

In-The-Ear (ITE) This hearing instrument is a custom instrument that fits entirely in the ear. ITE are comfortable, easy to handle, easy to operate and are the largest of custom products.

In-The-Canal (ITC) This hearing instrument is a custom instrument that fits primarily into ear canal. It is smaller than the ITE, making it slightly harder to handle.

Completely-In-The-Canal (CIC) This hearing instrument is the smallest custom hearing instrument available. It fits deeply into the canal. It has a small removal cord attached to it to assist in removing it from the ear. This is the most cosmetically appealing hearing instrument. It is nearly invisible.

Open Fitting This hearing instrument is designed for high frequency hearing loss. It fits discretely and comfortably behind the top of your ear. It uses a small ear bud to give you a natural, crisp, clean sound.

Analog
This is a basic hearing instrument. These hearing instruments amplify all sounds at the same level giving you amplification of all sounds. Usually the loudest sound in the room will dominate what you are trying to hear.

Advantages:

• Lowest in Cost

Disadvantages:

• Noise problems
• Loud sounds often are too loud
• Limited adjustments can be made on this lowest technology

Programmable Analog
This is another very basic hearing instrument. It can be programmed to adjust to certain frequency.

Advantages:

• Low Cost

Disadvantages:

• Noise problems
• They are not digital so they can not change with your hearing loss or in different environments.

Digital Hearing Instruments
They convert the incoming sounds into computerized ‘bits,’ they can be processed or manipulated extremely fast and efficiently in many complex ways using mathematical formulas known as algorithms.

The precision and flexibility of digital technology gives your hearing professional the ability to more accurately tailor your amplification for the best possible match to your listening and lifestyle needs. This process may include subsequent visits to ensure that you are receiving maximum benefit from your instruments.

Advantages:

• Digital processing of sound
• More clean sounding
• It gives your hearing specialist ability to change hearing instruments to your hearing needs

Disadvantages:

• Cost
• Not completely programmable

Digital Programmable Hearing Instruments
Until 2006 these where the most advanced hearing instruments available. They use digital technology to give you a clear sound while reducing background noise. They are also programmed for your hearing loss and can adjust to fit all your hearing needs.

Advantages:

• Digital processing of sound
• Cleaner sounding
• Adjusts to the sounds around you
• Gives your hearing specialist ability to customize your hearing instrument to fit your life

Disadvantages:

• Cost
• Occasional feedback

Nanotechnology
This is the most recent technology available. It is coming closer and closer to the way your ear naturally hears. The best part is it is feedback free.

Nanotechnology helps your instruments listens for sounds and adjusts to them in an instant, often before you’re even aware it’s happening! All you notice is that you’ve changed locations and your hearing remains great.

Not only is this revolutionary technology paying constant attention, it’s actually learning about your hearing from the places you’re in everyday—and it’s storing that information. Your Southwestern Hearing professional may adjust your hearing instruments for optimal fit using the data collected with your hearing history.

Learn more about nanotechnology available only in our Rhapsody Hearing Instruments.

Advantages:

• Feedback FREE
• Adjust to sound environments
• Hears on the telephone
• Keeps a data log-so your specialist can see what type of hearing environments you are in

Disadvantages:

• Cost

Rhapsody Feature Summary

Southwestern Hearing Centers brings you breakthrough nanoscience. It is science that is coming closer and closer to the way your ear naturally hears. Just notice how many of the features of the new Rhapsody line of hearing instruments seem almost biological in their nature.

Rhapsody listens for sounds and adjusts to them in an instant, often before you’re even aware it’s happening! All you notice is that you’ve changed locations and your hearing remains great.

With a Best-in-Class technology called Directional Speech Detection, Rhapsody automatically switches between omni-directional and directional listening modes. That’s a lot of technical talk meaning you can hear voices and speech a lot better whether you’re in a crowded room or in complete silence.

Its Active Feedback Intercept technology remains constantly on alert—sweeping your environment and adapting to sound changes, eliminating annoying buzzing, whistling and squealing. It’s virtually feedback-free.

Not only is this kindly technology paying constant attention, it’s actually learning about your hearing from the places you’re in everyday—and it’s storing that information. Your NU-EAR hearing professional may adjust your hearing instruments for optimal fit using the data collected with your hearing history.

Rhapsody’s best-in-class Active Feedback Intercept uses 16 sub-bands that virtually eliminate feedback as well as the artifacts other systems leave behind. The result is simple: A device that will allow you to sing in a choir and hug a friend with comfort and ease. Listed below are the reasons why Rhapsody is the most innovative hearing instruments available.

• Directional Speech Detector offers best-in-class speech-over-noise values and operates on a whole new platform, providing a superior, automatic response in even the most challenging environments.
     
• With Acoustic Signature, you will experience a brand new kind of environmental sound management. Because Rhapsody immediately identifies and classifies the statistical properties of different sounds, switching is completely unnoticeable.
   
• The industry’s most comprehensive Data Logging System records hearing instrument use information and makes recommendations for fitting adjustments via Inspire OS, including evaluation of non-active features.
   
• NU-EAR’s Automatic Telephone Response technology automatically adjusts to the best acoustic frequency response for optimal telephone listening.
   
• Extreme Compression Flexibility uses data-driven fitting protocols designed to maximize speech audibility for all frequencies.
   
• Phenomenal Multimemory Functionality offers up to seven environmental response choices within Inspire OS. An innovative design offers two-memory switchless selections, standard on Rhapsody 800 and 1200 models.
   
• Direct Audio Input Compatibility with ELI provides a stylish, wireless, hands-free interface with Bluetooth devices.
   
• Unique, Dynamic Indicator Tones adaptively change intensity based on ambient noise levels. Programmable frequency adjustments are available for memory selection, standby, volume control, low battery and telephone mode.

Other Hearing Devices Offered at Southwestern Hearing Centers

• Body Aids
• Eyeglass Model of Hearing Instruments
• Crossovers
• Bone Conduction Hearing Instruments
• FM System

Assisted Listening Device

Southwestern Hearing Center can help you with a wide range of assisted listening devices and can order a wide range of assisted listening device equipment. Please call 1-888-639-8665 to get further information on specific ALD equipment.

Amplified telephone

Text Telephone Communication
Phone Ring Signaler
Sonic Boom Alarm Clock
Hardwired Smoke Detectors