Hearing loss is something most people fear but if diagnosed, you do need to choose the right type of hearing aid.
There are many types of hearing aids to choose from, so how do you know which is best for you? Before you can find the right hearing aid, there are a few things you need to consider first.
Read on to learn how to choose the right type of hearing aid:
What are hearing aids and how do they work?
Before we get into how to find the right hearing aid, it’s important that you know what they are and how they work. Basically, hearing aids use multiple components to carry sounds from the surrounding environment to make them louder. Many hearing aids these days are digital and are powered by a small battery.
The microphones within the hearing aids collect sounds from the surrounding area. Then, a computer chip along with an amplifier turns the sound into a digital code. The code is then analyzed and adjusted based on the level of your hearing loss. The modified signals are then turned back into sound and finally sent to your ears through the speakers.
Styles of Hearing Aids
Hearing aids may accomplish the same thing, but they come in many different styles, sizes, and prices. In addition, the features also vary on the type of hearing aid you have. Many designers of hearing aids are constantly constructing ones that are barely noticeable. While this may help to your build confidence, smaller hearing aids may not provide you with the improved hearing you’re looking for.
Below are some of the most common hearing aid styles:
- Completely-in-the-canal (CIC) – CIC hearing aids are designed to fit right into your ear canal. They’re mostly for people who suffer from mild to moderate hearing loss. They are the smallest and least noticeable and don’t pick up wind noise. However, the speaker is more susceptible to earwax clogging and doesn’t have any extra features such as volume control.
- In-the-canal (ITC) – ITC hearing aids are very similar to CIC hearing aids with a few differences. For starters, they don’t completely go into the ear canal but are still hardly noticeable. They are also susceptible to earwax clogging. However, unlike CIC hearing aids, ITC’s come with extra features, but they might be difficult to use due to its small size.
- In-the-ear (ITE) – ITE hearing aids come in two different forms; A full shell, which fills a majority of the bowl-shaped area of the outer ear and a half shell, which only fills the lower section.
These hearing aids can help people who suffer from mild to severe hearing loss. ITEs come with features like volume control, a larger battery and is easier to tinker with. - Behind-the-ear (BTE) – A BTE hearing aid is a bit different from other hearing aids. BTE hearing aids don’t go directly in your ear. Instead, you hook it over the top of your ear where it rests behind it. A small tube connects the hearing aid to a custom-designed earpiece known as an earmold that goes into the ear canal.
This type of hearing aid works for almost everybody and can help with all forms of hearing loss. Due to its size, it’s easier to amplify and adjust the volume, but it’s more susceptible to picking up wind noise.
As you can see, there is a wide variety of hearing aids to choose from. But how do you know which is right for you? Only you and your ENT can answer that question, but it mostly comes to preference and what you think is best suited for your needs. Of course, the type you need will depend on the type of hearing loss you have. For more information, contact Lively at 800-854-2772 to get your hearing aid today!