5 Common Types of Hearing Aids and How They Work: Information You Should Know
Introduction
Hearing aids are small electronic devices that can help people with hearing loss. They amplify sounds in various environments to help people better understand speech, music, and everyday sounds. If you or someone you know has hearing loss, it’s essential to understand the available options for hearing aids. This article will cover five common types of hearing aids and how they work.
Body
Behind-the-Ear (BTE) Hearing Aids
A BTE hearing aid sits behind the ear and is connected to a custom earmold in the ear canal by an ear hook or tube. They’re suitable for people with mild to severe hearing loss and have larger controls for ease of use. BTE hearing aids have come a long way and can have advanced features such as noise reduction, telecoil, and Bluetooth connectivity.
In-the-Ear (ITE) Hearing Aids
ITE hearing aids come in two different styles- full shell and half shell. Full shell models fill most of the outer ear, while half shell models sit in the lower part of the ear. ITE hearing aids work well for people with mild to moderately severe hearing loss and have easy to use controls. They’re also more discreet than BTE hearing aids, making them an attractive option for many people.
Invisible-in-Canal (IIC) Hearing Aids
IIC hearing aids are custom-made to fit completely inside the ear canal, making them virtually invisible. They’re ideal for people with mild to moderately severe hearing loss and are targeted to people who want the least visible hearing aid. The downside of IIC hearing aids is that they’re small, and their batteries may not have the same longevity as other hearing aids.
Receiver-in-Canal (RIC) Hearing Aids
RIC hearing aids are similar to BTE hearing aids, but instead of being behind the ear, the receiver (or speaker) sits in the ear canal. RIC hearing aids are suitable for people with mild to moderately severe hearing loss and have several advanced features such as Bluetooth connectivity, rechargeable options and, improved feedback reduction.
Cross Hearing Aids
Cross hearing aids are a unique hearing aid that’s designed for people with unilateral hearing loss (hearing loss in only one ear). They use a microphone on the deaf side to transmit sound to a hearing aid in the ear with typical hearing. Cross hearing aids can either be BTE or ITE, and they can improve speech perception and localization.
Conclusion
Choosing a hearing aid can be overwhelming, but understanding the five different types and their features can help ease the process. All these hearing aids have unique advantages and disadvantages, and it’s important to select a hearing aid that suits your specific needs. By learning more about the different types of hearing aids available, you or someone you know can take steps towards better hearing health.
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