Hearing Aids
Hearing Aid Overview
Hearing aids are small electronic devices that are worn in or behind the ear to amplify sound for people who have hearing loss. Hearing aids capture the sounds from the surrounding environment and amplify the signals before sending them to the user's ear. Hearing aids can be prescribed to treat a wide range of severities, from mild and moderate to severe hearing loss. They are the most common form of treatment for hearing loss, which is the third most common medical condition in the US.
Hearing aids come in a variety of shapes, colors, and sizes and can be customized to fit the individual needs of each user. Hearing aids have evolved significantly over the years and now offer a wide range of features such as noise reduction, feedback cancellation, directional microphones, remote control operation, and wireless streaming. With the advancements in technology, hearing aids are now much more comfortable and discreet to wear while providing exceptional sound quality.
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Behind-The-Ear (BTE)
Behind-the-ear hearing aids are a type of hearing aid device that is worn behind the ear. These hearing aids are larger in size and more obviously visible than other types of hearing aids, such as those worn in the ear canal. However, this allows them to have more features and provide more power than the other types. Behind-the-ear hearing aids are also more durable and are more versatile when it comes to fitting different ear sizes. Due to their larger size, they also have onboard controls such as volume wheels and mode buttons. Many also come with directional microphones that allow users to focus more easily on the sound they need to hear. Additionally, they are easier to handle and maintain than other smaller types of hearing aids. For these reasons, behind-the-ear hearing aids are popular choices for people who are looking for hearing solutions.
Receiver-In-Canal (RIC)
Receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aids are small and discrete devices that consist of a receiver and microphone that are placed inside the ear canal, and an amplifier and battery case that are worn behind the outer ear. RIC hearing aids offer a more natural sound due to the placement of the receiver and microphone inside the ear canal. Additionally, the device is comfortable to wear and is barely visible behind the ear, while its components can be replaced separately, making it much cheaper to repair. Furthermore, RIC hearing aids are easy to use and offer a wide range of features and settings to customize the sound experience, such as a remote control and Bluetooth connectivity, which can be used to adjust the sound settings.
In-The-Ear (ITE)
In-the-ear hearing aids are increasingly popular types of devices that are worn in the bowl of the outer ear. These hearing aids are much smaller than BTE devices and are more difficult to spot when worn. They are custom-made to conform to the dimensions of each individual's ear anatomy, which helps ensure a comfortable and secure fit while maximizing sound quality. However, they are also more prone to feedback and can be difficult to adjust and maintain due to their smaller size. They are also not suitable for people with severe hearing loss due to the limited ability and power of the hearing aid. In-the-ear devices work best for people with mild to moderate hearing loss who are looking for a discreet hearing aid that provides good excellent sound quality.
Invisible-In-Canal (IIC)
This type of hearing aid is almost completely unnoticeable when it is worn by the user. IICs are placed further inside the ear canal than all other in-the-ear devices, making them nearly invisible to others. To remove the IIC, a thin, transparent wire must be pulled to extract the unit from the auditory cavity. Since their smaller size limits their power output and the number of features they can host, IICs are usually most appropriate for those with minor to moderate hearing loss. Furthermore, their tiny batteries have a limited lifespan and need to be changed more often than all other types of hearing aids.
Completely-In-Canal (CIC)
Compared to IICs, these hearing aids are a bit larger and more visible, although they are still very difficult to spot on the user. They share many of the same attributes as IICs, requiring custom-made molds of the ear canal for a proper fit and superior sound reproduction. Though they are not situated as deep in the ear canal as IICs, ITCs are also removed by pulling on a special wire with a handle at the end. They are the most beneficial for people who have milder forms of hearing loss due to their size limitations. Furthermore, those who have difficulty with their fine motor skills may find IICs and CICs difficult to manage and maintain.
In-The-Canal (ITC)
In comparison to the other two types of hearing aids (CICs and IICs), ITCs are the biggest and the most distinguishable of the three. They are inserted into the ear canal just deep enough for their external face to seal off the opening. To make sure that their fit is accurate and secure, ITCs also require custom-made molds of the ears. This not only improves the quality of sound but also provides extended wearability. As these are considerably larger than their other in-the-ear counterparts, they are capable of hosting more features and are able to help those suffering from more severe cases of hearing impairment. Additionally, the bigger batteries of ITCs allow for significantly longer run times than CICs and IICs while facilitating greater ease of use and maintenance.