Ten years, thousands of hours, and a tiny but powerful chip: Learn about the latest in hearing aid technology
Finding the right hearing aids can be a bit of a Goldilocks process. With all the options out there, how do you know which one is “just right” for you?
The good news, according to Lisa Battani, AuD, CCC-A, is that prescription hearing aids keep getting better and better. “Most ads make it seem as if all hearing aids are the same, you just pay more for some,” she said. “This is definitely not the case. There are vast differences between hearing aids.”
Dr. Battani is an audiologist and hearing aid program director at Associated Audiologists, Inc. In addition to working closely with her patients, Dr. Battani stays attuned to all the latest changes and advances in hearing aid technology.
Recently, the Widex company invited Dr. Battani to be one of the beta-testers for their newest product, the Widex Allure. While the new platform is just now available for consumers, it’s a labor of love that’s been in the works for 10 years. “Thousands and thousands of engineering hours were spent refining and improving the already outstanding technology to create this new chip,” she shared.
Introducing…the Widex Allure
The Widex Allure platform uses the latest hearing aid technology for expertly calibrated sounds in any environment. With its powerful, next-generation W1 chip, the Allure delivers crystal clear speech without sacrificing your awareness of your surroundings.
And that’s where the Allure really excels. “Widex is well-known for clear and natural sound, which is frequently preferred by musicians,” explained Dr. Battani. “The Allure chip improves sound quality even further by balancing speech clarity with situational awareness.
“The best description of the listening experience is ‘transparent.’ The sound quality is amazing!”
Who can benefit from the Allure?
The Allure is a great option for people with all levels of hearing loss, from mild to significant. The new processor is so fast, you will not notice any lag time between the sounds and your ear — a concept Widex calls ZeroDelay™. And shrieks and squeals can be a thing of the past with the Dynamic Feedback Controller, which adapts to changing sound levels in real-time to effectively manage feedback without losing sound quality.
“When someone wearing hearing aids can simply be in the moment instead of focusing on adjusting their devices, that is the best endorsement of performance,” said Dr. Battani.
Helping you find the right hearing aid
The Allure is exciting, but how do you know if it’s the right one for you? Our team of doctoral-level audiologists is here to help!
We have several different brands and styles of hearing aids that we can custom-fit to you. Some of the services you can expect from Associated Audiologists, Inc. include:
- Getting to know you and your specific concerns about your hearing during a one-on-one appointment.
- A complete and professional diagnostic hearing exam (much more thorough than what is offered by the big-box stores).
- Showing you various hearing aid options and explaining the benefits and drawbacks of each type, so you can understand the options.
- Customized ordering and scheduling to accommodate your needs.
- An individualized fitting session to verify your hearing aids are custom tuned to your hearing loss, and confirmation of your comfort before you leave.
- Hands-on teaching on how to use your hearing aids, charge/change the batteries, clean your hearing aids, and manage ear wax.
- Assistance in the set-up of connections to other technology, such as your smart phone.
- Answers to any questions you have about your new hearing aids.
- Ongoing follow-up to ensure your success and help you hear your best!
“It’s always heartbreaking to hear stories about patients who have had poor experiences with devices or watched a family member or friend struggle with hearing aids,” said Dr. Battani. While no device is perfect, and all have an adjustment period, “quality hearing aids that fit correctly and are worn consistently can be life changing.”
All of our audiologists and support staff take great pride in helping you have the best possible experience. “We want our patients to hear their best and we love being a part of that journey with them!” said Dr. Battani.
Our goal is that when you walk out the door, you feel confident and comfortable with your new hearing aids, whatever you choose.
