The evolution of Invisible-In-Canal hearing aids
By Ken McEntee
Two years ago, the Cleveland Indians’ bullpen was unhittable, Hillary Clinton was projected as unbeatable and discrete Invisible-In-Canal (IIC) hearing aids weren’t very powerful.
How dramatically things can change.
“Today, it’s a brand-new ballgame,” declares Robert Pavlik, a board certified hearing instrument specialist, audioprosthologist and owner of Brookway Hearing Center, referring to today’s powerful, custom-fit IIC devices.
“Two years ago, these devices were adequate only to assist with a mild hearing loss. Today, custom-fit IIC hearing aids have almost doubled the power and they can now help those patients with severe to profound hearing loss.”
And, he adds, nobody will ever know you’re wearing them.
Robert and his team at Brookway were experts in fitting IIC devices even before the hearing center opened in Strongsville 10 years ago.
“That’s what we all specialized in before an evolution in Receiver-in-Canal (RIC) amplification power moved the market in that direction,” Robert recalls.
“The amplification and clarity available in RICs, which sit behind the ear, wasn’t possible in the tiny units that are worn inside the ear canal. Because of the latest technological advancements, we can now give our clients the best of both worlds.”
Robert compares today’s powerful custom-fit hearing instruments to a meticulously tailored suit.
“A custom-made suit looks classier and is more comfortable than a suit you buy off the rack, because it is perfectly contoured to specifically fit your body,” he explains.
“A tailored fit is even more important for a hearing aid than for a garment you don’t wear every day. A perfectly fit, invisible, inside-the-canal device provides the best opportunity to enhance a person’s hearing and comprehension as close as possible to the way nature intended it to be.”
To optimize a wearer’s natural hearing, each IIC hearing aid is custom designed from a precise mold of his or her ear canal.
“It’s a meticulous process that requires time, skill and experience,” Robert says. “That’s one reason why the big box, volume-driven stores aren’t willing to offer custom-fit hearing aids.”
Like Robert, board certified and state licensed hearing aid specialist Susan Turano began her career fitting patients with IIC devices. Patty Spencer and Kayla Rogers are licensed hearing aid specialists, and Patty is also Brookway’s office manager. She specialized in IIC hearing aids, too. In fact, Patty trained Robert when he broke into the business close to 20 years ago.
The devices, Susan says, “are available with a remote control that enables a wearer to fine-tune the volume and other settings on the fly to adapt to various environments. The processors are fast and programmable to a person’s exact preference, and they can use Bluetooth to integrate with telephones, televisions and audio devices, delivering clear, crisp sound directly into a person’s ear.”
Brookway Hearing still dispenses behind-the-ear hearing aids for clients who prefer them, or for those who are not ideal candidates for Invisible-In-Canal devices. But Robert says he is excited to return to the products he has always specialized in.
“I’ve always preferred to work with the custom-fit devices, and today’s technology is remarkable,” he says.
In July, Brookway Hearing will celebrate its 10th anniversary with an invitation-only appreciation party for its customers.
“It’s a way to show our patients that we value their business,” Robert says.
You can schedule a complimentary, no-pressure hearing screening at Brookway Hearing Center by calling 440-572-9929. You can also visit BrookwayHearing.comfor more information. Brookway is located at 11180 Pearl Road, in Strongsville.