Hearing Aid Guide

In-the-Ear (ITE) Hearing Aids

ITE hearing aids are a great choice for people with limited dexterity, as they are easy to handle. Being the largest of the in the ear type of hearing aids, they can accommodate a variety of extra features including a stronger receiver to produce more volume and a Telecoil. It’s possible to adjust the volume with this model, and a remote control or manual push button lets you select different programs.

In-the-Canal (ITC) Hearing Aids

ITC hearing aids are worn inside the ear canal. As they are a little larger than completely-in-the-canal hearing aids, they do contain a few more features. These hearing aids are custom fit for your ear shape, ensuring a comfortable fit. Their size makes them more discreet than the ITE model mentioned above. They are also capable of wireless connectivity that can work with streamers and other devices that help add to the functionality of the technology.

Completely-in-the-canal (CIC)

CIC hearing aids are often nearly invisible, as they are placed deeper into the ear canal. Optimal microphone placement and the benefits of deeper fitting hearing aid can give some patients the perception of better sound quality. For those who don’t like to draw attention to their hearing loss, these are perfect. CIC’s are limited on the amount of power, telephone, and wireless functionality compared to other style aids.

Invisible-in-Canal (IIC) Hearing Aids

IIC hearing aids are placed in the deepest portions within the ear canal and can be removed with a nylon string. They go one step further than the CIC hearing aids, managing to be even more discreet. Due to their small size, they are not suitable for those with severe hearing loss. Since they are the smallest models on the market, IIC hearing aids are a great choice for those who require the utmost discretion. Due to the deepest fitting of all hearing aids, some patients experience a lessening in what is known as the occlusion effect. IIC hearing aids are truly for a select type of ear, hearing loss, and patient that has good dexterity to manage such small devices.

Receiver-in-Canal (RIC) Hearing Aids

This is an open-fit hearing aid which utilizes a thin plastic wire with a speaker (receiver) at the end tip. The hearing aid itself is placed behind the ear. This receiver is inserted into the ear canal making the amplified sound project directly towards the eardrum. This means air and sound can go into the ear canal as normal. The benefit of the open design makes the RIC style avoid the ‘plugged up’ feeling that occurs compared to more traditional in the ear type hearing aids. RIC hearing aids make up 70%+ of all new orders in the US today. These aids are so popular because they can do so much more compared to every other style of hearing aid. Two of the biggest innovations today in RIC technology are Rechargeability and Bluetooth Connectivity.

Behind-the-Ear (BTE) Hearing Aids

This is the largest and most powerful style. The casing contains stronger components to help more severe to profound hearing losses Although they are larger than other styles, they are still smaller than you would imagine. Even though they are visible, they tend to draw less attention than the (ITE) style hearing aids. BTE’s come in a range of colors to match your skin tone or hair color. BTE hearing aids can be the easiest to handle, and have enough power for all degrees of hearing loss. They have the space for a variety of features and boast bigger batteries which help them to run for longer. Reliability is second to none for this style of hearing aid.

Hearing Aid Technology

Bluetooth

Bluetooth is one of the most exciting technologies to enter the hearing aid world in the past year. Bluetooth is a wireless communication framework created to enable audio data transfer between two or more electronic devices.

There are a range of benefits to Bluetooth technology. Some of the benefits include the ability to stream sound to both ears, listen to music and have phone conversations with sound going straight to your hearing aid. This means you don't have to take out your hearing aids when taking a phone call. This technology allows for true “hands-free” usage specifically for cell phones. Bluetooth enabled hearing aids allows for hearing aid users to comply with hands free cell phone usage which complies with Georgia driving laws.

Rechargeable hearing aids

Those who want to save time, persistent costs and the environment might want to consider one of the latest developments in hearing aid technology – rechargeable hearing aids. In the latest models, you simply put your hearing aids in their charger at night and wake up to fully charged hearing aids. A fully charged hearing aid will have enough power to last the entire day. Only one rechargeable battery is required for the life of your hearing aid, and you no longer have to take inconvenient trips to the drugstore to stock up on batteries. Make sure that you hearing aids are Lithium Ion based rechargeable devices to ensure the highest quality and most consistent life. Rechargeable hearing aids are a fantastic option for patients who have visual impairments or dexterity issues using their hands.