What Hearing Aid Styles are Available?

If your audiologist has recommended that you wear hearing aids to help with hearing loss, then you may be surprised when you first take a look at the devices available. They come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes and it can be hard to tell the difference between them. Here, we will break down the different styles of hearing aids, their advantages, disadvantages, and which ones might be best suited to you.

In the ear (ITE)

These devices are small enough to fit within the ear, resting comfortably on the outer portion. They are custom molded to the ear’s shape to ensure that they don’t fall out or cause discomfort and can help with mild to severe hearing loss. They have controls on the outer shell which make them easier to adjust and it is slightly easier to handle than smaller devices, making it well-suited to people with dexterity issues.

In the canal (ITC)

The IIC device is the smallest kind of hearing aid available and is designed to fit very deeply within the canal. As a result, it’s almost completely invisible. However, despite the cosmetic appeal, they are only usually suited to mild-to-moderate hearing loss. They may not be an appropriate choice for people with dexterity issues as they can be tricky to remove or insert.

Behind the ear (BTE)

On the other side of the spectrum, behind-the-ear hearing aids are larger. However, they are designed to be discreetly positioned behind the ear, which means they can be easier to disguise if, for instance, you have long hair. It’s recommended for mild-to-profound hearing loss. Because of the larger size, BTE hearing aids can incorporate a much larger range of features and controls. Additionally, they are much easier for children and people with dexterity issues to handle because of their size. They can also come with earmolds that make it easier to make them suitable to a wider range of hearing loss severity.

It is always a good idea to pick out a hearing aid with the help of an audiologist. They can help you find the right hearing aid to deal with the severity of your hearing loss and choose those that best meet your lifestyle and needs. Hearing aids come with a wide variety of additional features, too, and they can help you find those that can make a real difference to your life.