Hearing Aids in Charlottesville, VA
Unlock clearer conversations and reclaim the sounds of everyday life. At Rivanna Hearing Center, we understand that your hearing needs are unique. After a personalized hearing assessment, we’ll guide you toward the hearing aid that fits your individual hearing needs, lifestyle, and budget.
Why the Right Hearing Aids Matter
Hearing aids capture ambient sounds, amplifying them and delivering them to your ear, helping you understand speech and hear more effectively. Small and unobtrusive hearing aids reduce listening effort to minimize fatigue and improve quality of life.
Choosing the Right Style of Hearing Aid
We offer a variety of styles to suit different levels of hearing loss, lifestyle preferences, and aesthetic tastes, all designed for your comfort and convenience.
Behind-the-Ear (BTE)
Recommended for: people with moderate to severe hearing loss.
BTE hearing aids are designed to give your ears an incredible boost in power. The hard plastic casing fits directly behind the top of your ear where it’s easily hidden by your hair.
The custom earmold is shaped to match the exact contours of your ear canal. It comes in a variety of colors, including clear, pink, and tan to decrease visibility even more. Many people find choosing a color that blends in with your hair or skin. The BTE hearing aid has a wide variety of programming features and options that may be customized to meet your hearing needs.
In-the-Ear (ITE)
Recommended for: people with disabilities or dexterity challenges who have moderate to severe hearing loss.
ITE hearing aids are true custom-designed hearing aids. The entire hearing aid is molded to match the contours of your outer ear. The hard plastic casing forms to the exact shape of your ear making it fit snugly. There’s also an ITE style available that only fills the lower part. ITEs do a great job of amplifying sound.
You can add features to an ITE hearing aid to make it hassle-free, including telecoil (a feature that makes it easier to hear when you’re talking on the phone), ear-to-ear communication, and automatic programming. ITE hearing aids come in a variety of colors to match your skin tone, including pink, beige, cocoa, and brown.
In-the-Canal Variants (ITC / CIC / IIC)
Recommended for: mild to moderately severe hearing loss.
Our ITC and CIC hearing aids are our smallest, most invisible custom hearing aid products. These amplification devices fit completely or partly in your ear canal. The ITC hard plastic casing is tiny, ranging anywhere between 1 to 3 cm long. It’s that small! CICs are designed to fit even deeper into the ear canal, resulting in a really invisible fit closer to the eardrum. CICs come with standard features and may have wireless capability.
Receiver-in-Canal (RIC) / Receiver-in-Ear (RITE)
Recommended for: mild to severe hearing loss.
Our RIC or RITE hearing aids are perfect for active adults. The directional microphone technology makes it easier to understand conversations in crowded environments by detecting and amplifying the target speech signal and decreasing the background noise.
Visibility isn’t a problem. You can attend business meetings, parties, and other social events without anyone even knowing you’re wearing hearing aids. You can hide the small hard plastic casing on this device behind your ear or underneath your hair.
The microphone picks up sound and carries it through an ultra-thin wire directly into a speaker that fits invisibly into the ear canal or in the ear. The RIC hearing aid can come with programming features including telecoil, automatic programming, volume or programming controls, and alert signals.
Open-fit hearing aids
Recommended for: mild to moderate hearing loss.
This style is a take on the BTE hearing aid with a thin tube. It doesn’t plug the ear, and it’s not too visible from the outside. This style is excellent for amplifying speech without overamplifying your own voice.
Extended-Wear Devices
Recommended for: mild to moderately severe hearing loss.
Think invisible and almost maintenance-free! This style of hearing aid combines the concealment of our in-the-canal hearing aids with the ultimate convenience of extended wear.
You can wear these hearing aids for 24 hours/day for months at a time without having to worry about charging or replacing the batteries. The close proximity of the hearing aids to the eardrum ensures optimal sound while reducing distortion and background noise.
Prescription vs. Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids
Over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids process sound intelligently, reduce noise, minimize feedback and automatically adjust volume for comfort. Prescription hearing aids can convert sounds into digital signals, reducing background noise and focusing on speech, to ensure you experience the most advanced technology in hearing aids. Some advantages of prescription hearing aid models include:
- Clearer speech in conversations
- Reduced environmental noise
- Less feedback (squealing)
- Automatic adjustments to surroundings
- Advanced connectivity options, including Bluetooth and wireless pairing
Popular Hearing Aid Brands
We work with trusted manufacturers to ensure you have access to the latest in hearing technology and styles. Some of the hearing aid brands we carry include:
Your Best Hearing Starts with a Conversation
The right hearing aid brand depends on your unique hearing profile and lifestyle. Don’t guess—consult with our audiologists who work with all leading brands.
Frequently Asked Questions about Hearing Aids
How do I know if I need hearing aids?
If you find yourself frequently asking others to repeat themselves, turning up the TV volume, or feeling that people around you are mumbling, consider a hearing evaluation. Our comprehensive hearing tests can determine the type and extent of your hearing loss, helping us recommend the best solution tailored to your needs.
How long do hearing aids last?
With proper care, hearing aids typically last between 5 and 7 years. Regular maintenance and timely adjustments can extend their lifespan and ensure optimal performance.
Why is my hearing aid not working correctly?
Several factors can affect hearing aid performance:
- Battery Issues: Ensure the battery is fresh and properly inserted.
- Wax Build-up: Regularly clean your hearing aids to prevent wax accumulation.
- Moisture Exposure: Keep hearing aids dry; moisture can damage internal components.
If issues persist, schedule a visit with us for a thorough check-up.
Will hearing aids help with tinnitus?
Yes, many of our hearing aids come with tinnitus masking features that can help alleviate the ringing or buzzing sounds associated with tinnitus. During your consultation, we can discuss options that best suit your condition.
Can I use my hearing aids with my smartphone?
Absolutely! Most hearing aids are Bluetooth-enabled and can connect directly to smartphones, allowing you to stream calls, music, and more. We can guide you through the pairing process during your fitting.
How do I clean my hearing aids?
Clean and store your hearing aids in their case each night to guard against accidents, dust and humidity. We also recommend scheduling a maintenance appointment with us once a year. We can professionally clean your devices and confirm that your current devices are still functioning correctly and meeting your hearing needs.
Can I wear my hearing aids in the shower or while swimming?
Most hearing aids are not waterproof. It's best to remove them before bathing, swimming, or engaging in activities where they might get wet. Exposure to moisture can damage the delicate electronics inside.
How should I store my hearing aids when not in use?
Always store your hearing aids in their protective case when not in use. Proper storage protects them from dust, moisture and potential damage. If you're traveling, consider using a dehumidifying case to keep them dry.
If you have any more questions or need personalized advice, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to support you on your journey to better hearing.
Affordable Hearing Solutions Made Simple
At Rivanna Hearing Center, we believe everyone deserves better hearing without the stress of unexpected costs. Explore your options for high-quality hearing aids, flexible payment plans, and exclusive savings opportunities.
Call 434-205-9741 or contact us online to schedule an appointment at Rivanna Hearing Center today.