The truth is your hearing aids are an extension of you. Understandably, many Americans experiencing hearing loss are reluctant to wear hearing aids because they worry about being stigmatized, too bulky or interfering with their daily lives. However, these reasons cause many to lose out on the advantages of hearing aids. Fortunately, there are different kinds of hearing aids to choose from to find the right one for you! Your audiologist will be able to guide you in the right direction.
What Are Hearing Aids, And How Do They Work?
If you are experiencing hearing loss, your audiologist would recommend using a hearing device. But what is it? Hearing devices are small electronic devices that carry sounds from the environment into your ear. Hearing aids comprise three parts: the speaker, the amplifier and the microphone. Sound is captured through the microphone and turned into electrical signals through the amplifier. These signals are then converted to sound waves, delivered to your ears through the speaker or receiver in the hearing device.
Different Types of Hearing Aids
As mentioned earlier, there are different types of hearing aids available on the market. Hearing devices are differentiated by their placement in the ear, their features and how they work. Each hearing aid will suit different severity levels of hearing loss, so before you choose make sure you know the type of loss you have and the severity. Below is a list of common types of hearing aids.
Behind-the-Ear (BTE) Hearing Aids
A common and preferred type of hearing aid is the BTE hearing aid. A case containing the electronics is placed behind the ear. A custom earpiece or an earmold which contains the microphone and speaker, is inserted inside the ear. Sound waves are received by the microphone to the case and then sent to the speaker through the wire connecting both components. BTE hearing devices are suitable for patients with mild-to-profound hearing loss of all ages. Additionally, these devices are easy to maintain, have a longer battery life and can amplify sound more. However, these devices are larger and can easily pick up external noise, like the wind.
In-the-Ear (ITE) Hearing Aids
The ITE hearing devices are placed inside the outer ear bowl. The electronics are placed in a small case inserted into the ear. The ITE hearing aids are suitable for persons with mild-to-moderately-severe hearing loss but not for children and adolescents. Although these devices may be prone to earwax buildup and more noticeable than other hearing aid styles, they offer good sound clarity and include useful features such as volume control.
Completely-in-Canal Hearing Aids
If you are experiencing mild hearing loss and looking for discreet hearing aids, the completely- CIC hearing aids are an ideal choice. CIC hearing aids are small and least visible as they are designed to fit into your ear canal. Although their practically invisible feature is appealing, it is important to note that these hearing devices can be difficult to adjust and remove if you have dexterity issues.
In-the-Canal (ITC) Hearing Aids
Similar to the CIC, in-the-canal hearing devices offer a discrete choice for wearing hearing aids. These devices are custom molded to fit partially in the canal, making them a comfortable choice. Unlike CIC devices, ITC hearing aids have more features, but these can be difficult to use due to their size. Additionally, the size of ITC devices makes this hearing aid easily susceptible to earwax blockage.
Receiver-in-the-Ear (RITE) Hearing Aids
Another common type of hearing device is the RITE. These devices are similar to the BTE devices as the receiver is placed inside the ear canal. These devices are smaller than BTE hearing aids and suitable for patients experiencing mild hearing loss. These hearing devices provide wearers with clear sounds and less distracting feedback.
How to Choose the Right One for You?
You should visit your local audiologist for a check-up to determine the cause of your hearing loss and its severity. This would help you streamline your options to choices likely to give you your desired results. Visiting your audiologist would also prevent you from engaging in misleading claims and information. You should also consider your lifestyle, as this would guide selecting devices with ideal features.
Contact Us Today
If you need more information on hearing aids and which would be right for you, visit an experienced audiologist from Natural Hearing Centers. Contact us today at (888) 221-9156 or visit one of our centers. We look forward to helping you.
