Choosing the Right Style: A Guide to Different Hearing Aid Options

Most individuals with hearing loss can improve their hearing with the help of a hearing aid. However, with various styles to choose from, it’s essential to make the right selection. Your audiologist will offer guidance, but understanding the factors that influence your decision can be beneficial. So, what are the different hearing aid options, and which would benefit you?

In-the-Ear (ITE) Hearing Aids

ITE hearing aids are specifically tailored to fit snugly inside your outer ear, making them comfortable to wear and often recommended for adults with mild-to-moderately-severe hearing loss. Custom made, these hearing aids feature skin tones to match up closely with natural ear color for discreet but efficient performance. With larger batteries offering extended battery life and easier handling capabilities, ITE hearing aids offer exceptional wearer-friendliness as well.

Behind-the-Ear (BTE) Hearing Aids

With a slightly larger design, these hearing aids sit comfortably behind your ear with an inconspicuous clear tube funneling sound into an earmold inside your ear canal for sound amplification and directionality. Ideal for almost all forms of hearing loss and suitable for various ages from toddlers to seniors. With powerful amplification and robust features like room for larger batteries, their durability and ease of maintenance make these hearing aids great choices for many looking for reliability and performance in hearing devices. These devices may also feature Bluetooth connectivity. If you think this is the right option for you, talk with your audiologist.

In-the-Canal (ITC) Hearing Aids

ITC hearing aids sit snugly in your ear canal, ensuring comfort and convenience. Compared to smaller styles like invisible in canal and completely in canal, their slightly larger size offers a longer battery life and accommodates individuals with mild-to-moderate hearing loss. Additionally, their size allows for the inclusion of extra features such as directional microphones, which enhance understanding in noisy settings and manual controls like a volume wheel, providing added flexibility for wearers. While the do sit deeper in the canal an offer several features, there are a few disadvantages. ITC hearing aids are more susceptible to a buildup of earwax because the sit in the canal.

What Features Are There?

Advanced models feature digital sound processing that adapts the sound output of their hearing aid to suit each wearer’s specific hearing loss profile. While wireless connectivity enables wearers to stream audio directly from smartphones, TVs and other devices into their hearing aids. Digitizing decibels allows wearers to experience natural sound quality with noise reduction algorithms, directional microphones and feedback suppression systems. This approach to technology not only amplifies sound but enhances quality of life as well.

When selecting the right hearing aid for you, you will want a hearing aid the matches your preferences, lifestyle, comfort and budget. With the help of an audiologist, they will be able to find your ideal match, whether you are looking for an BTE or ITC hearing aid. If you want to learn more about the different styles of hearing aids, or have questions about your hearing aids, contact an audiologist.