subject: Hearing Aid Styles And Sizes [print this page] The hearing aid has come a long way from its bulky predecessor. A century or so ago, the device was carried around by the person who used it and was placed inconspicuously on the ear when he or she wanted to hear something better. These days, the styles of the instrument vary depending on what the individual prefers as well as what the audiologist recommends. Audiologists are experts in the auditory field who are qualified and certified to give tests and diagnose a patient regarding the loss of the ability to hear. They are often recommended by doctors when the patient needs to be fitted with the device or tested for any issues with the ability to hear. Some experts also recommend the style and size of the hearing aid for the patient.
Styles and Sizes
The sizes of the device come in a variety that usually fit the ear of the patient. The sizes come in numerical form depending on the age and size of the ear as well as in letter form, wit S for small, M for medium and L for large, etc. It is not just the piece that needs to go in the ear or canal that has a size but also the size of the attachment, especially for those that are BTEs, or Behind-the-Ear devices.
The BTE instruments are gadgets that are anchored on the tops of the ears, a little bit behind them. There are thin tubes that run from the gadget to the inner ear which bring the sounds to the organ. These are actually bulkier than the other hearing aid styles because they house a bigger battery and other elements that make the sound better and clearer. Although there are also BTE styles that are smaller in size, which make them less conspicuous, the quality of the sound that they receive for the individual may not be as clear as that of the bulkier ones. ITE, or In-The-Ear, devices are small plastic instruments, which can be inserted up to the inner ear. They do not have the bulky shape and size of the BTEs and can have similar coloring to the person's skin. This makes them very popular with many individuals who may have lost some of their ability to hear.
Aesthetics play a huge role in an individual choosing the style of the gadget. Many people prefer to have their devices as inconspicuous as possible. What many do not realize is that the smaller devices have a limited range when it comes to the sounds and noises that they can pick up. ITCs, or In-The-Canal styles, are literally invisible because they can be implanted into the canal and out of sight of other people. These also have a limited range when it comes to the sounds and noises that they can send to the individual. Despite this shortcoming, these hearing aid styles can satisfactorily come to the aide of individuals who do not need to have a wide range of sounds and noises.
