Bernafon Hearing Aids

Did you know that the number of people around the world suffering some sort of hearing loss is now close to 800 million? Did you also know that the largest growing demographic among hearing loss patients is young people? According to hearing aid manufacturer Bernafon, this trend can be directly attributed to a modern culture that has become very noisy and promotes the use of listening to music and other media through personal earphones.

Thankfully, hearing aid technology is easily keeping up with a culture of hearing loss in providing new devices which help those with lost hearing hear better than they have in years. Bernafon is at the forefront of the new wave of hearing aid technologies providing a combination of world-renowned Swiss engineering and the latest in audiologic advancements.

Bernafon is a Swiss-based company offering hearing aids and accessories in the more than 70 countries around the world. Their company history goes back more than 60 years to the founding of the original organization in 1924. Since then Bernafon has developed a long list of technical innovations that make their hearing aids some of the best in the world. Most notably are their development of Switzerland's first hearing device in 1946 and the introduction of the world's first digitally programmed hearing aid in 1988.

Bernafon's Four Different Styles

Bernafon offers four different styles of hearing aids including in-the-ear (ITE), in-the-ear-canal (IEC), completely-in-the canal (CIC), and behind-the-ear (BTE). Their in-the-ear models are what most of us normally expect to see in a hearing aid. It is molded to the shape of the individual user's ear and sits firmly at the opening of the ear canal. Though it is colored to mimic the natural skin tone as closely as possible, these hearing aids are fairly visible.

An in-the-ear canal model is similar but fits just inside the ear canal. These are becoming more popular because they are effective for minor to moderate hearing loss while still being significantly less visible. On the other hand, the completely-in-the-canal models are even smaller - and nearly invisible, too. These units have a tiny receiver that fits entirely inside the ear canal connected to the hearing aid unit with a plastic tube.

The behind-the-ear hearing aid is significantly different than in-the-ear counterparts. This type of hearing aid places the hearing aid unit behind the ear where it's easily hidden and a receiver on the inside of the ear canal. It is designed for individuals with severe hearing loss for which no other type of hearing aid is suitable. As technology advances these behind-the-ear units are becoming better and better.

The Purpose of a Hearing Aid

The cause of hearing loss can vary and be anything from disease to genetic malfunctions to environmental issues. Regardless, all hearing loss has at least one thing in common: the inability of the hearer to distinguish certain sound frequencies.

In someone who is completely deaf, no sound frequencies can be recognized by the ear and interpreted by the brain. With partial hearing loss, there are only certain frequencies that the individual cannot hear or distinguish. The job of the hearing aid is to separate out those frequencies and amplify them enough for the individual to hear them. In cases where certain frequencies are loud enough to interfere, a hearing aid can turn those down as well.

Determining the Right Hearing Aid for You

Individuals with very minor hearing loss can often correct their issues with a simple amplification device. Unfortunately, the solution is not so simple for most people suffering from hearing loss. If general amplification doesn't work for you the next step is to consult a hearing professional who can help you determine the best type of hearing aid. You will be given a hearing test to determine which sounds you can hear and which ones you cannot. Once you know that you can then assess other environmental conditions that affect your hearing.

Your doctor will want to know what your work environment is like, how loud or quiet your home environment is, what types of ambient sound you are typically exposed to, how often you find yourself in extremely noisy environments, the types of music and television programming you're exposed to, and so on. Once your hearing and environment are assessed the last step is to take ear measurements in order to custom mold a hearing device for you.

While it certainly is possible to determine all of this on your own, it's highly unlikely that you'll get it right without the help of a professional. Not only that, but a hearing professional can recommend to you specific styles and models of hearing aids that you would most benefit from. Better to utilize a professional than to spend a lot of money and still end up with the wrong hearing aid device.

Purchasing Your Hearing Aids from Bernafon

When you purchase your hearing aids from Bernafon you are purchasing more than just hearing enhancement equipment. You are purchasing the knowledge and expertise of a company that is passionate about helping you to hear and communicate as well as you did before your hearing loss became evident. Bernafon is a company committed to helping you understand all the ins and outs of hearing loss and how it can be corrected. And with their products you get the peace of mind that comes from a worldwide reputation of excellence.