Hearing aids are an important investment in your health, relationships and quality of life. In order to get the most benefit possible from your devices, you want to find ones that suit your hearing, financial and lifestyle needs. While the process may seem overwhelming at first, your audiologist will work with you every step of the selection process. Below we’ve put together a guide of the types of hearing aids available to help you get started.
How Do Hearing Aids Work?
No matter what type of hearing aid you get, they all have the same basic parts and work in the same way.
Hearing aids consist of a microphone, amplifier and speaker. As sound comes through the microphone, it’s converted to electrical signals. These signals then pass through the amplifier, where their power is increased. The sounds are then delivered to the ears through a speaker or receiver.
Types of Hearing Aids
There are four primary types of hearing aids:
- Behind-the-ear (BTE)
- Receiver-in-the-canal (RIC)
- In-the-canal (ITC)
- In-the-ear (ITE)
Behind the Ear
The main housing of a BTE device – containing the batteries, microphone and controls – sits behind the ear with a thin tube connecting the device to the earmold. BTEs are suitable for a wide range of hearing losses, from mild to profound. They’re also commonly recommended for children since the earmolds can be replaced easily as they grow.
Receiver in the Canal
RIC devices are similar to BTEs, except the receiver/speaker is worn in the ear canal rather than being housed in the main casing, and the two are connected by a thin wire. RICs tend to be a little smaller than BTEs and are suitable for people with mild to moderate hearing loss.
In the Canal
ITCs are lightweight plastic devices that are worn in the ear canal. Their small size makes them one of the most discreet models available, but also means people with dexterity issues may have trouble with the controls. ITCs work for people with moderate to severe hearing loss.
A subtype of ITC devices are completely-in-the-canal (CIC) hearing aids, which are even smaller and more invisible, but may cause occlusion (your voice to sound too loud) and are appropriate only for mild to moderate hearing loss.
In the Ear
ITEs are slightly larger than ITCs, but easier to handle. Many ITEs are compatible with a telecoil, which allows you to receive sounds through the hearing aid’s circuitry rather than the microphone. ITEs are ideal for people with mild to severe hearing loss.
If you’re ready to be able to have a conversation with friends at The Pour House, hearing aids can help. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call The Hearing & Balance Center today.