When you are experiencing hearing loss, finding the right hearing aid for you can require forethought and research. Discussing your requirements for your hearing aid with your audiologist can help you find the right hearing aid for you.
The best types of hearing aids can be subjective and largely depend on your lifestyle and personal preferences concerning how you wish to wear your hearing aid. That being said, some hearing aid styles are more popular, and this article will look at them in more detail.
Behind The Ear (BTE)
The BTE hearing aid style is just as its name says, it fits behind the ear but has a tube that connects the earmold to the hearing aid. The microphone, receiver and all parts are BTE device. As you can imagine, there are some benefits and drawbacks to the BTE. You will need to change the earmold after a while when it becomes hard.
You also need to change the tubing on some BTE hearing aids, you can ask to put in a slim tubing which does not need to be changed as much. The size also has pros and cons. The size allows for the hearing aid to have greater power, but a downside is the size increases its visibility.
In The Canal (ITC)
The ITC hearing aid is designed to fit in the ear canal. They are convenient to use and comfy due to the location in which they sit. In addition, ITC devices contain a battery that is larger than the batteries found in other types, which results in a battery life that is marginally longer. ITC devices typically include a selection of additional functions, such as a volume wheel and a microphone, as standard equipment.
This can be an excellent alternative for glasses wearers who prefer not to wear a BTE model with their glasses.
In The Ear (ITE)
In-the-ear hearing aids are created to order and fit entirely within the outer and bowl-shaped portion of the ear. Because they are more noticeable than ITC hearing aids, they come with the option to be camouflaged with a color designed to be as near as possible to the color of the wearer’s skin. In addition, the battery used in ITE hearing aids is larger, meaning that the hearing aids’ batteries will continue to function for a longer time.
Other popular models are completely-in-canal (CIC) and invisible-in-canal (IIC) hearing aids. These are preferred by wearers who wish for a more custom or discreet look and can be advantageous in many situations. However, they come with drawbacks due to their position within the ear, such as requiring more extensive cleaning to combat earwax build-up and handling to get the hearing aid fitted correctly.
Talking to your audiologist is the best way to find out what type of hearing aid will be best for you. Once they have performed your hearing test, you will be in a better position to look at suitable hearing aids and start the process of getting one fitted for your needs.
