For hearing aid wearers

We've got answers for all of your questions.

Use hearing systems

Symbols explained and pay attention to them

Look out for the blue symbols that indicate rooms in which a hearing system is installed.

Ein Bild, das Grafiken, Schrift, Symbol, Logo enthält.Automatisch generierte BeschreibungT-coil systems
T mode is the most common pictogram. The reception of the direct sound via the hearing aids, which have a programme button on the hearing aid, is switched to the so-called telephone coil mode (T-coil).

In rooms with an induction system, always activate the T-coil of your hearing aid.

 

Ein Bild, das Grafiken, Schrift, Logo, Symbol enthält.Automatisch generierte BeschreibungRadio systems

With radio or induction systems, you can obtain a portable device with a neck loop from reception or the cash desk, which transmits the signals to your hearing aid.

 

 

Ein Bild, das Grafiken, Schrift, Logo, Symbol enthält.Automatisch generierte BeschreibungInfrared systems

In rare cases, the direct sound is transmitted via infrared light to a small portable device with an inductive neck loop. This receiver is available at reception or at the cash desk.

 

If there are no room plans of the hearing system in our directory and no ratings are available, it is best to ask at reception or at the cash desk where the hearing system offers the best reception.

Our hearing system testers and measurement technicians test hearing systems throughout Switzerland on an ongoing basis and document the measurement results in our directory. In the hearing system directory, you can see when the last measurement took place and how well the system worked. You will often also find further useful information and room plans, for example, where the reception works best.

If you have used a hearing aid system yourself or use it regularly, you can leave your review(s) in our feedback section, which in turn is useful for other hearing aid users. Well-functioning systems with good reviews ultimately help everyone. And bad reviews give us a clue to check the system again and discuss improvements with the system operator.

A cochlear implant, or CI for short, is a hearing prosthesis that helps people with severe to profound hearing loss to perceive sound. It consists of two main components: an external audio processor and an implanted part with an electrode array that is inserted into the cochlea.

The audio processor picks up sound, converts it into electrical signals and sends them wirelessly to the implant. This then stimulates the auditory nerve directly by transmitting electrical impulses to the electrodes in the cochlea. This enables the brain to process sound information.

The CI also has an integrated telecoil like the hearing aid.

Frequently asked questions

In principle, all hearing aids are constructed in the same way. Nevertheless, the quality differences in sound perception and speech comprehension vary greatly from device to device. It can be said that the higher the quality of the hearing aid, the more natural the listening experience. This is because higher-quality devices also have functions such as bandwidth, automatic volume control, noise management and feedback cancellation. Even entry-level devices offer some of these functions, but not all of them in full combination.

Modern hearing aids always have a variety of personalisation options and the ability to connect wirelessly (telecoil, wireless and now Bluetooth) to a range of external devices such as mobile phones. You will always find the most advanced technology in the newer hearing aid models. Of course, these improvements come at a price. But there are hearing aids for every budget. So if someone asks you today how a hearing aid works, it's fair to say that it works like a hearing computer.

Binaural hearing refers to the ability to hear with both ears at the same time. This allows the brain to localise sound sources, perceive sounds spatially and better filter out speech from background noise.

Binaural hearing is essential for spatial hearing and improves speech intelligibility, especially in noisy environments.

Monaural hearing means that a person only hears with one ear or that a sound signal is only transmitted to one ear. This can either be congenital, caused by hearing loss in one ear or due to illness or accident.

While binaural hearing is essential for spatial orientation and speech comprehension, people with monaural hearing can learn strategies to find their way around despite the limitations.

Behind-the-ear hearing aid (BTE)

These devices sit behind the ear and transmit sound into the ear via a tube or an external receiver. They are powerful and suitable for almost all hearing losses.

In-the-ear hearing aid (ITE)

These devices sit directly in the ear canal or in the pinna and are less conspicuous than BTE devices.

Bone conduction hearing aid

These devices conduct sound directly to the skull bone via vibrations and bypass the middle ear. They are suitable for people with conductive hearing loss or no ear canal.

Cochlear implant (CI)
For people with profound hearing loss or deafness. They bypass the inner ear and stimulate the auditory nerve directly with electrical impulses.

CROS and BiCROS hearing aids
For people with single-sided deafness: CROS hearing aid transmits sound from the deaf ear to the hearing ear. BiCROS hearing aid also uses amplification for the hearing ear if there is also a hearing loss there.

Whether a hearing aid can fully restore normal hearing depends on several factors:

Type and degree of hearing loss

  • Mild to moderate hearing loss: A hearing aid can often enable almost normal hearing perception.

  • Severe to profound hearing loss: Speech intelligibility can be significantly improved, but hearing remains different from that of people with normal hearing.

  • Deafness or profound sensorineural hearing loss: Cochlear implants can enable the perception of sounds and speech, but natural hearing is not fully restored.

How hearing aids work

Hearing aids and cochlear implants amplify or replace hearing, but they do not provide exactly the same sound quality as natural hearing. Some sounds may sound artificial or metallic.

Adaptation and familiarisation

  • The brain often has to get used to the new sound processing.

  • Speech intelligibility improves over time, especially with hearing training or with auditory training and lip reading,

  • Especially with severe hearing loss, it can be more difficult to understand complex sound patterns or voices in noisy environments.

Conclusion

Hearing aids can significantly improve hearing, but in most cases they do not fully restore natural hearing. Nevertheless, they enable better communication, orientation and quality of life.

Tips and tricks

Caring for your hearing aids is important to prolong their life and ensure optimum sound quality. Here are some tips for proper care:

  1. Daily cleaning:

    • Inspect your hearing aids daily for visible dirt.
    • Use a soft, slightly damp cloth to gently wipe them.
    • Don't forget to clean the loose parts (such as domes or earpieces) as well.
  2. Avoid moisture:
  • Hearing aids don't like water or moisture.
  •  
  • Keep them in a dry place.
  • Use a case to protect them from dust, pollen and dirt.

  1. Special cleaning agents:

    • Use special cleaning agents for hearing aids. Avoid water, alcohol or other household cleaners.

  1. Change the filter

:

    • For hearing aids with an Ex receiver (RIC), you should change the wax filter regularly (every 4 weeks).
    • This prevents blockages and protects the technology in the hearing aid.

  1. Professional cleaning:

    • Have your hearing aids professionally cleaned regularly to ensure optimum performance.

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Remember that each type of hearing aid has individual care requirements. If you are unsure, ask your hearing care professional for advice!

To ensure that hearing aids and cochlear implants work reliably, it is important to change or charge the batteries in good time.

Hearing aid batteries

There are two main types of batteries: Zinc-air batteries and rechargeable batteries.

Signs that the battery needs changing:

  • The hearing aid emits warning tones or voice messages.

  • The sound becomes quieter or distorted.

  • The hearing aid switches off unexpectedly.

Tip: Always have spare batteries with you or use the charger.

Cochlear implant batteries

  • Batteries (rechargeable) last between 8 and 30 hours depending on the model and must be recharged regularly.

  • Disposable batteries (silver-zinc or special cochlear implant batteries) often last 1-3 days.

Tip: Always have a spare battery or a charged rechargeable battery with you, especially when travelling

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