The following are common styles of hearing aids, starting with the smallest and least visible in the ear. Hearing aid designers continue to make smaller hearing aids to meet the demand for hearing aids that are not very noticeable. However, smaller hearing aids may not have the power to give you the best hearing you expect. A hearing aid in the canal (ITC) is custom molded and partially fits in the ear canal.
This style may improve mild to moderate hearing loss in adults. A behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid attaches to the top of the ear and sits behind the ear. A tube connects the hearing aid to a custom earpiece called an ear mold that fits into the ear canal. This type is suitable for people of all ages and people with almost any type of hearing loss.
Receiver-in-ear (RIC) and receiver-in-ear (RITE) styles are similar to behind-the-ear hearing aids with the speaker or receiver located in the ear canal. A tiny cable, instead of a tube, connects the behind-the-ear piece to the speaker or receiver. An open-fit hearing aid is a variation of the behind-the-ear hearing aid with a thin tube or the hearing aid with a receiver in the canal or receiver in the ear with an open dome in the ear. This style keeps the ear canal wide open, allowing low-frequency sounds to enter the ear naturally and high-frequency sounds to be amplified through the hearing aid.
This makes the style a good choice for people with better low-frequency hearing and mild to moderate high-frequency hearing loss. Important decisions include whether the device will have rechargeable batteries or batteries that need to be replaced, and whether the hearing aid will be placed behind or inside the ear. Canal hearing aids fit inside the ear and are harder to see. A hearing aid in the canal (ITC) fits your specific ear canal.
An all-in-the-canal aid (CIC) is smaller and is almost hidden in the ear. Either type can help with mild to moderately severe hearing loss. But because of their size, they can be more difficult to adjust and remove. This type of hearing aid is not ideal for children or adults who might have problems with very small devices.
An invisible aid on the channel (IIC) is almost impossible for others to see. You can wear it every day, or it can be a device that you wear for several months in a row. Analog hearing aids make continuous sound waves louder. These hearing aids essentially amplify all sounds (e.g.
Some analog hearing aids are programmable. They have a microchip that allows the device to have programmed settings for different listening environments, such as in a quiet place, such as in a library, or in a noisy place such as in a restaurant, or in a large area such as a football field. Programmable analog hearing aids can store multiple programs for different environments. The canal supports conform to the ear canal and are available in two styles.
The in-the-canal hearing aid (ITC) is designed to fit the size and shape of a person's ear canal. A fully in-the-canal (CIC) hearing aid is almost hidden in the ear canal. Both types are used for mild to moderately severe hearing loss. Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid may help people with mild to profound hearing loss.
BTE hearing aids contain all components, a compartment for the battery, microphone and controls, for example, in a plastic case that fits behind the ear. The case is connected to a disposable plastic earphone or to a custom mold that emits sound through a transparent tube. Work with an audiologist to determine which type of hearing aid works best for you, as well as the special features you need. Digital hearing aids convert sound waves into numerical codes similar to computer codes and then amplify them.
They're better for people with mild to severe hearing loss, but they don't work as well for children who keep growing ears. This extremely small hearing aid, slightly larger than an IIC device, is almost invisible in the ear and also provides maximum discretion. Scientists are using the structure of the fly's ear as a model to design miniature directional microphones for hearing aids. Mini BTE hearing aids are useful if a person still wants the device to be placed behind the ear, but doesn't want the entire ear to be covered by a mold.
In-the-canal (ITC) hearing aids are custom-made to fit inside the ear canal and part of the outside of the ear. This is the smallest type of hearing aid available and is invisible in the ear, designed for people who want the ultimate in discretion. What might work well for one person may not work for another, which is why these devices come in a variety of designs and solutions to meet one's hearing and physical needs. Many factors need to be weighed when choosing a hearing aid, including the type of hearing loss and finances.
Hearing aids can make a big difference, especially if you choose the right ones and get help adjusting to them. The hearing aid receives sound through a microphone, which converts sound waves into electrical signals and sends them to an amplifier. Analyzes and adjusts sound based on your hearing loss, your hearing needs and the level of sounds around you. .
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