Types of hearing aid

Information for patients from the Audiology Department

In most cases we offer Signia hearing aids. The main models we offer are shown here.

Stretta RIC
Stretta M earhook
Stretta M Thin Tube
Stretta M-R

Stretta HP ear hook
Stretta HP Thin Tube
Stretta UP-R

Model Reference Guide

RIC: Receiver in the canal with S/M/P/HP receivers
CROS: Contra-lateral routing of signals
M: Mild / Medium powered
M-T: Mild / Medium powered and telecoil compatible
M-R: Mild / Medium powered and rechargeable
HP: High powered
HP-T: High powered and telecoil compatible
UP-R: Super / Ultra powered.

CROS and Bi-CROS Hearing Aid Systems

CROS stands for Contralateral Routing of Sound.
Bi stands for Bilateral.

A CROS hearing aid is a special type of hearing aid. It is for people who have little to no hearing in one ear and have normal hearing in the other ear.

A Bi-CROS hearing aid is for people who are profoundly deaf in one ear, but also have a hearing loss in their better ear.

A CROS or BI-CROS hearing aid transmits sounds from one ear to the other

With CROS or Bi-CROS hearing aids, sound is wirelessly transmitted from the profoundly deaf ear into the better ear. What looks like a conventional hearing aid is worn on the deaf ear, but this is a microphone only. This microphone picks up sound from your poorer side and sends it wirelessly into a conventional hearing aid on your better ear. The sound is then heard and processed by the brain. The sound can also be amplified if you have a hearing impairment in your better ear.

Other hearing devices

AdHear
AdHear is a non-surgical bone conduction hearing aid processor for mild conductive hearing loss. It transmits sound via an adhesive adapter or a soft band. It is a solution for:
- single sided deafness
- children or adult conductive hearing loss; and
- patients that need a bone implant, but decline surgery and fit the criteria.
Hearing amplifier
Some patients cannot use conventional hearing aids. These patient will be given an amplifier to enable some level of communication and hearing needs to be met.

How do I get a hearing aid from the hospital?

Referral
You are referred to Audiology from Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) or your GP.
Assessment
The assessment process may include:
- a hearing test
- counselling
- recommendations based on hearing loss and available choice; and
- an ear mould impression, if applicable.
Fitting
Hearing aid fitting, programming, and real ear measurements, if applicable.
Follow-up
Check on progress and hearing aid fine tuning, as needed.
Ongoing aftercare
Repairs, advice, and tubing, domes, and battery supply. Hearing aid maintenance, as needed.

Further information

For more information on hearing aids, including repair and aftercare, please speak to a member of staff. Alternatively, a series of hearing aid leaflets is available on our web site.

Contact details

If you have any problems or issues with your hearing aid, please contact the Audiology Department.

Audiology Department
Telephone: 01227 864252
Lines are open 10am to 12 noon, and 2pm to 4pm
Email