There are so many types of hearing aids available that it can be challenging to know where to start when choosing one. Keep reading for the most essential information to consider when faced with this decision.
How Hearing Aids Work
All hearing aids have the same parts to carry sound into the ear and amplify it, but there different hearing aid styles available. Hearing aids have hearing aid batteries or rechargeable batteries, and most are digital. They have tiny microphones that take sound from the outside environment, and a computer chip amplifies and converts the sound into a digital code. These signals are then converted into sound waves and sent to the ears through receivers or speakers. There are typically four different hearing aid styles available.
Completely in the Canal Hearing Aids
These hearing aids mold to fit inside the ear canal. They improve hearing in individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss. It is the tiniest type of hearing aid and does not pick up wind or background noises easily. This hearing aid uses small batteries that can be hard to handle. They don’t always have volume controls or a directional microphone. CIC hearing aids tend to get a lot of earwax clogging around the speaker.
In the Ear Hearing Aids
In-the-Ear hearing aids can come either as a device that fills most of the outer ear or one that takes up only the lower half. These are helpful for people with mild to severe hearing loss. They come with directional microphones, so they provide better hearing in noise. They are easier to handle than tiny hearing aids but are still susceptible to earwax clogging their speaker. The obvious disadvantage to these aids is that they are more visible than other types.
Behind the Ear Aids
These aids fit behind the ear and have a tube that connects the aid to a molded earpiece that fits in the ear canal. Behind-the-ear hearing aids are the most common type and can help people with all kinds of hearing loss. They can amplify sounds more than other aids and may come with rechargeable batteries.
Receiver In Canal or Receive In the Ear Hearing Aids
These styles are similar to a behind-the-ear hearing aid, but have a tiny wire instead of tubing. This connects the pipe behind the ear to the speaker. Hearing aids of this type usually have manual control options, rechargeable batteries, and a less visible portion behind the ear.
Other Considerations
When choosing a hearing aid, consider how it can reduce noise since this can vary widely by hearing aid type. Directional microphones are aligned on hearing aids to improve sound from different areas. Many hearing aids are capable of only focusing on one direction but directional hearing aids can improve the ability to hear from many directions or when the environment has a lot of background noise.
Rechargeable batteries are a benefit and cost-saving measure. Telecoils help individuals hear better when they are talking on telecoil compatible phones. Some hearing aids are Bluetooth-compatible and can interface with cellphones, music players, and televisions. Hearing aids can sometimes even come with a remote control so they don’t have to be touched.
Don’t get overwhelmed with the options. Compare types and models to find a hearing aid that is a perfect fit.
