Choosing the right hearing aid can feel overwhelming with so many options out there. To help you out, here are some important points to consider.
First off, you might be worried about how a hearing aid will look or whether it will really help you. Getting more information on the types of hearing aids available, what to look for, and how to get used to a new device can ease a lot of these concerns.
**Hearing Aid Styles**
All hearing aids have the same basic parts: a microphone and a speaker. These parts work to carry sound from the source into your ear. Now, hearing aids come in different styles, from tiny ones that fit inside the ear canal and are almost invisible, to those that fit partially in your ear. Generally, smaller devices might be less powerful, have shorter battery life, and cost more.
Here are the common styles of hearing aids:
1. **Completely in the Canal (CIC)**
– Fits completely inside the ear canal.
– Best for mild hearing loss in adults.
– Pros: Least noticeable, minimal wind noise, good for phone use.
– Cons: Short battery life, no extra features like volume control.
2. **In the Canal (ITC)**
– Custom-fit and sits partly in the ear.
– Suitable for mild to moderate hearing loss.
– Pros: Partly visible, easy for phone use, has more features.
– Cons: Might not fit smaller ears well.
3. **Half-Shell**
– Smaller than the ITC, fits the lower part of the outer ear.
– Designed for mild to moderately severe hearing issues.
– Pros: Bigger size makes it easy to handle, more features like directional microphones and volume control, fits most ears.
4. **In the Ear (Full-Shell)**
– Custom-made to fit almost all of the outer ear’s bowl-shaped part.
– Good for mild to severe hearing loss.
– Pros: More visible, many handy features, easy to wear, longer battery life.
5. **Behind the Ear (BTE)**
– Hooks over the top of the ear and rests behind it.
– Suitable for any type of hearing loss.
– Pros: More visible, bigger size, greater amplification.
6. **Open Fit**
– Medium-sized compared to other types.
– Ideal for mild to moderate high-frequency hearing loss.
– Pros: Less visible, small batteries, no manual adjustments needed.
Armed with this knowledge about different hearing aids—from the most noticeable to the smallest—you can now browse online for a reliable retailer and make an informed purchase.