Hearing Aid Styles

Hearing aids are a helpful tool to improve hearing, but it’s important to remember they don’t cure hearing loss. Instead, they make it easier to hear and communicate. When selecting the right hearing aid, several factors should be taken into account, including the level of hearing loss, your lifestyle, and the features you need. An audiologist can help guide you through the process, ensuring you choose a device that fits your needs.

Evaluating Your Needs

Before choosing a hearing aid, your audiologist will assess the severity of your hearing loss. They will also consider your lifestyle. For example, do you spend time in noisy environments, or are you mostly in quiet settings? Different hearing aids offer different features, so understanding how and where you’ll use them is key.

The cost of hearing aids is typically based on the technology and features they offer, not the style. This means that two devices might look similar but have very different price points depending on the technology inside.

Types of Hearing Aids

There are two main categories of hearing aids: custom hearing aids and behind-the-ear hearing aids. Both types come in a variety of sizes and offer features like rechargeable batteries and Bluetooth connectivity. Some are designed to be more powerful, while others focus on comfort and appearance.

Custom Hearing Aids

Custom hearing aids are made specifically for your ear. They are created using a mold of your ear, ensuring a perfect fit. These devices are generally suitable for people with mild to severe hearing loss and are most commonly used by adults.

Custom hearing aids come in several styles:

In-the-Ear (ITE): This style fits entirely in the outer ear and is easy to handle.
In-the-Canal (ITC): ITC devices are smaller and sit partly in the ear canal.
Completely-in-the-Canal (CIC): CIC hearing aids are almost invisible and fit deep into the ear canal.
Invisible-in-the-Canal (IIC): These are the most discreet hearing aids and are nearly undetectable when worn.

Each of these styles offers a tailored fit and provides a personalized experience.

Receiver-in-Ear (RIE) and Receiver-in-Canal (RIC) Hearing Aids

These hearing aids are known for their sleek design and comfort. The main part of the hearing aid sits behind the ear, and a small speaker (receiver) sits in the ear canal. RIE and RIC hearing aids are a good option for most levels of hearing loss and offer a variety of settings and programs to suit your specific needs. They are also more discreet than some other styles.

Behind-the-Ear (BTE) Hearing Aids

BTE hearing aids are larger because they house the receiver in the body of the hearing aid, which sits behind the ear. These devices are ideal for people with more severe or profound hearing loss because they provide more powerful amplification. A custom earpiece is often used to ensure a snug fit in the ear.

Hearing Technology

Hearing aids come with different features to help you get the most out of your device. Most modern hearing aids are Bluetooth-compatible, allowing you to make hands-free phone calls or stream audio directly from your phone or other devices. This can make a big difference in your daily life, especially if you frequently use technology like smartphones or computers.

When selecting a hearing aid, it’s important to consider the features that will benefit you the most. For example, if you’re very active or spend a lot of time in loud environments, you might need a device with noise reduction technology. On the other hand, if you spend most of your time in quiet spaces, a simpler device might work just fine.