Types Of Hearing Aids: Learn The Most Common Styles
You may have noticed the variety of hearing aids on the market. From traditional, behind-the-ear devices to smaller Bluetooth models, there are a lot of different options available. This article outlines some of the best hearing aid styles and the most common types of hearing aids and their features.
Behind the Ear Hearing Aid
This type of hearing aid is the most common. It sits behind the ear, where your hearing aid will rest against the back of your ear canal. Because it is behind the ear, it is less visible to others than other types of hearing aids. Behind-the-ear hearing aids are typically the most affordable type of hearing aid. This type of hearing aid is also the least likely to cause problems with the user’s facial muscles, which can lead to drooling, facial numbness, and headaches.
In the Canal Hearing Aid
In the canal hearing aids are similar to behind-the-ear aids, except they are placed directly in your ear canal. This type of hearing aid is more likely to deliver more sound than other types of aids and is also more likely to be uncomfortable. In the canal hearing aids are typically more expensive than behind-the-ear aids.
BTE (Bone anchored Hearing Aid)
Bone-anchored hearing aids are smaller than traditional hearing aids and are placed behind your ear, just like regular hearing aids. They are wireless and are sealed with a soft shell to protect your ear canal. The shell attaches to a small receiver that is worn around your neck or attached to your clothing. This type of hearing aid is ideal for people who struggle with mobility issues, as it can be worn anywhere and doesn’t require a lot of room in which to operate. BTE hearing aids are typically more expensive than traditional hearing aids and can be challenging to find.
BTE with CIC (Combined in Canal)
BTE hearing aids are also placed in the ear canal, but they also have a small microphone that sits in the middle ear, or inside your ear canal. This microphone gathers sound and transmits it to the hearing aid, so you can hear it through the aid. The microphone is called a channelized hearing aid and creates a channel of sound that is “caught” by the hearing aid. BTE hearing aids with CIC are typically more expensive than other models and require a prescription.
Digital Hearing Aid
Digital hearing aids are small, wireless hearing aid systems that are integrated with a digital receiver or processor. These types of aids are ideal for people who struggle with hearing in low frequencies, such as those with hearing loss in the lower frequencies. Digital aids are wireless and have no batteries, so they don’t have to be kept in a specific place. They are also more discreet than other types of hearing aids. Digital aids are more expensive than other hearing aids and require frequent adjustments so they don’t get out of whack.
Why is hearing aid technology changing?
The type of hearing aid you choose will largely be determined by your budget, your individual hearing needs, and your comfort level with the hearing device. None of these factors are likely to change in the future, so it is important to be aware of the different types of hearing aids in Kittery area so you can choose the right model for you.
Summary
Hearing aids are designed to help people with hearing loss. They can be worn in one or both ears and are attached with a wire or a receiver that’s worn on the person’s shirt or behind their ear. There are many different types of hearing aids, and the one you choose will largely be determined by your budget, your individual hearing needs, and your comfort level with the hearing device.