subject: 5 Main Types Of Hearing Aids [print this page] Hearing aids are great invented devices that are so important to people who are losing their sense of hearing. Today, there is an increasing number of hearing impaired people and the availability of different hearing devices in the market is great relief to them. You can choose the style that will suit your lifestyle needs as well as the level of your hearing loss.
Hearing aids had been discovered several decades ago. But with the enormous advancement in technology, better hearing aids are made available. In the beginning these were the non-electric trumpet styles that were made from animal horns. These hearing gadgets had evolved until we have the digital, small and invisible types.
The hearing aids before
In the past, the hearing aids were funnel-shaped or trumpet-like which were used to guide the sound to the ear. These kinds however were not very powerful as they can only help slight hearing problems. After the trumpet-like hearing aids, the analog electronic kinds were launched. The mechanics in the use of this kind of aids were to use amplifiers that increase the volume of sounds. Over time, as the analog hearing aids were developed, they underwent reduction in size and became programmable. With the advancement in technology, the digital models were introduced. Many analog users shifted to the digital hearing aids. Today, we still have some analog kinds but they are slowly being totally phased out in favor of the digital styles.
The hearing aids today
There are five main types of digital hearing aids that are found in the market today.
RIC or Receiver-In-The-Canal Hearing Aid
This style consists of a case that contains the parts of the hearing aid. It has a speaker component. This speaker is attached to the case which allows the sound to travel from the front of the pinna into the ear canal. The RIC kind is used by people with mild to profound hearing impairment and this is available in all levels of technology.
BTE or Behind-The-Ear Hearing Aid
This style is worn over the top of the ear. There is tubing that runs along the front of the ear that attaches to a custom ear mold located in the ear canal. This has sizes ranging from small to large and they are almost invisible. Being the recommended type for children, the BTE fits mild to profound loss of hearing. This BTE has a special kind known as open-fit BTE, a model that minimizes loudness and sound distortion.
ITE or In-The-Ear Hearing Aid
This style custom fits into the bowl of your ear. It has a receiver or speaker that leads to the ear canal. You can choose a size that will fit your ear bowl. It is easy to insert and remove.
ITC or In-The-Canal Hearing Aid
This is also a model that can be custom-fit to the bowl of your ear. It has a receiver that extends to your ear canal. This is the smallest kind of hearing aid and you can use this with more than one microphone to better reduce the noise. This is very easy to insert and remove. This is the best style for people with less severe hearing impairment and people who do not want to use large hearing aids.
CIC or Completely-In-The-Canal Hearing Aid
This style will fit comfortably into your ear canal. This is almost invisible but it may not have the great capabilities of other styles. This is all because there is no place to install the features due to the smallness of the hearing aid. This is best for people with less impairment. The drawback is that this style is difficult to remove and insert.
Although you know all these styles, you are advised to consult first your hearing specialist to assess your condition. Only your doctor can tell which is most appropriate in your condition.
