Hearing loss is common, affecting an estimated 48 million people across the nation. But despite how common it is, only about 20% of people who could benefit from hearing aids actually wears them. There are many styles of hearing aids on the market, so there’s no excuse: you can find a device that matches your hearing and lifestyle needs. We review some of the most popular styles below:
Behind-the-Ear (BTE)
The main portion of a BTE is worn behind the ear, and sound is channeled via thin tubing to an earmold that delivers it to the ears. BTEs are suitable for a wide range of hearing losses, from mild to profound.
Pros of BTEs include more power, many color choices, great for children and room for manual controls. Cons include being more visible and causing trouble for people who also wear glasses.
Receiver-in-Canal (RIC)
RICs are similar to BTEs expect instead of an earmold, a receiver is worn in the ear, which connects to the hearing aid via thin wire. RICs are ideal for people with mild to severe hearing loss.
The pros of RICs are they tend to be less visible than BTEs and there are many rechargeable options. The cons are they can be difficult to insert for people with dexterity issues, and smaller models may not offer manual controls.
In-the-Ear (ITE)
ITEs fit inside the outer portion of the ear, and all the components are held in a hard-plastic case. They are great for people with mild to severe hearing loss.
Pros include manual controls, ease of use for people with dexterity issues and inclusion of telecoils. Cons include being highly visible and less comfortable for some ears.
In-the-Canal (ITC)
ITCs are custom fit to sit inside the ear canal and in part of the outer portion of the ear. They work for people with mild to severe hearing loss.
Pros include being less visible than ITEs but easier for people with dexterity issues than BTEs and RICs. Cons include having less room for manual controls.
Completely-in-Canal (CIC)
CICs also sit inside the ear canal but are less visible than ITCs. They are designed for people with mild to moderate hearing loss.
The pros include being nearly invisible, but the cons include more occlusion and difficulty to handle for people with dexterity problems.
Invisible-in-the-Canal (IIC)
IICs sit deep in the ear canal and are completely invisible. They are also suitable for people with mild to moderate hearing loss.
These devices have the greatest cosmetic appeal and can be worn with earbuds from Best Buy. However, they also cause occlusion.
For more information about the types of hearing devices or to schedule an appointment with a hearing aid expert, call San Francisco Audiology today.