An in-the-canal hearing aid (ITC) is custom molded and fits partially in the ear canal. This style may improve mild to moderate hearing loss in adults. For some people, electric hearing aids may not be the best option. Other treatments for severe-to-profound hearing loss include bone-anchored hearing aids and cochlear implants.
BTE hearing aids are slightly larger than other devices because they need to contain more circuitry to provide an adequate level of correction. They are connected to a piece of earphone that is located inside the ear. Because of their size and position, BTE hearing aids are the favorite choice for correcting mild to severe hearing loss. They are also the most common hearing aid for first-time users.
Behind-the-ear hearing aids, as the name implies, are worn behind the ear. This type of hearing aid, which is in a case, connects to a plastic mold inside the outer ear. These hearing aids are usually used for mild to severe hearing loss. Poorly fitted BTE hearing aids can cause feedback, an annoying whistle, in the ear.
However, all hearing aids can receive feedback. Many hearing aids come with apps that provide built-in tinnitus therapy sounds or reduce overstimulation. Some types of hearing loss can also be treated with medication or surgery, according to medical specialists at the University of California, San Francisco. If you work with a health professional, such as an audiologist, they will give you a complete audiogram or hearing test, which provides concrete information about your level of hearing loss.
Hearing aids come with their own parts warranties, and audiologists can offer their own warranty, in addition to that of the product manufacturer, to also cover professional services. They can also explain the differences between hearing aid styles and recommend which one is best for you. When an audiologist has told you that you have severe hearing loss, you probably already knew that you had hearing problems. Receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aids, which are also worn behind the ear, but are connected via a cable fitted to a small speaker that sits in the ear canal.
According to panelist Abram Bailey, an audiologist and member of the Forbes Health Advisory Board, Audicus, Bose, Eargo, Jabra, Lexie and Lively are brands to watch out for as the OTC hearing aid market consolidates. One way to ensure you get the best care is to find a hearing health professional who works on a program that is also suitable for cochlear implants. In addition, the behind-the-ear (BTE) model has a microphone and receiver in the ear canal (M%26RIE) to improve hearing. Once you've identified your level of hearing loss, you can work with an audiologist or hearing care professional to determine the fit and features that will be beneficial to you.
You may have thought about putting on a hearing aid, but you're worried about how it will look or if it will really help. Hogan can help you sort through all the options and create a personal solution to your hearing problem. Access to affordable, high-quality hearing health care is an urgent public health problem in the United States, but more than two million Americans live with severe or profound hearing loss, as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO).
