Unlike styles, there is no definite classification system where technology is concerned. For simplification we will present three groupings, each with distinctive sound processing characteristics. You will however note variations even within these groupings, depending on manufacturer specification, which will be reflected in the cost of the hearing aid. Each technology grouping is available in the complete range of styles.

Manufacturers

We work with the world's leading hearing aid manufacturers, including:

State of the Art

Hearing aids grouped under this heading are premium devices resulting from painstaking research and development and employing innovative technology. You can expect a 15-20 channel fully adaptive directional microphone system designed to give a personalised listening experience plus high definition sound analysis. Speech focused algorithms simultaneously enhance speech whilst suppressing disruptive background noise by sampling your listening environment up to 2 million times per second and instantaneously adjusting. Targeted noise reduction eliminates any awareness of internal noise produced by the device itself and identifies and treats continuous low-level intrusions such as air conditioning hum. Multiple noise intrusions can be simultaneously attenuated. Incredibly, the natural sound gathering characteristics of the outer ear can be mimicked within the hearing aid, meaning no more difficulties trying to locate sound direction.

The published performance evaluations of premium hearing aids are recordable for frequencies up to 8000 Hz, which is exceptional. It is possible to incorporate a revolutionary listening programme which shifts the highest sounds downwards into a lower frequency region where your hearing is better thus they can be more readily perceived. In fact a maximum of 5 programmes, each specific to a diversity of uses including music, theatre, restaurants, reverberant rooms and telephone, can be selected via remote control/push button - or even automatically activated by the hearing aid without you even noticing!

Advanced

Advanced group hearing aids are sophisticated 5-15 channel devices intuitively able to make soft sounds become audible and distant speech easy to hear across a broad bandwidth. Highlights include environmental analysis and automatic switching between up to 4 programmes each independently tuned. For the best possible signal-to-noise ratio only channels containing unwanted ambient interference are suppressed, safeguarding voice intelligibility. Dedicated feedback cancellation seamlessly negates feedback ('whistling') by introducing a counter phase signal without reducing conversational audibility. Wind noise manager provides the best strategy for variable wind conditions.

Now for the first time you can dispense with short life batteries thanks to the advent of rechargeable hearing aids. The docking station can be powered by plug or via a home computer - just connect to the USB port.

Value

James Hearing dispenses value grouping hearing aids with the same assurances of quality product and care. These devices are fully automatic 100% digital possessing a 2-6 channel dynamic compression system making it possible to fit an array of hearing losses extending to 6000+ Hz. Noise suppression systems that work by a speech-weighted approach to ensure that noise is attenuated and 'soft squelch' reducing microphone interference also feature. You will benefit from up to 3 programmes including telecoil or telephone option, occlusion elimination and directional hearing facilitated by continual microphone sensitivity matching.

To arrange an appointment or request more information,
simply email info@jameshearing.com
or telephone 0845 680 1227 / 07974 735811.