Common Types of Hearing Aids
In today's blog post, we will discuss the most common types of hearing aids available in the market today. It is important to know the difference between them so you can properly choose what hearing aid is best for your needs.
Behind the ear (BTE) hearing aids
Behind the ear (BTE) hearing aids such as the MDHearingAid PRO, is an aid wherein all the parts are enclosed in a plastic container. It is designed to hide behind the wearer’s ear. Attached to this is a tubing that delivers sound into the ear. This style is popular among hearing aid users and is also usually recommended for young users due to safety reasons.
BTE hearing aids are the largest types of hearing aid, although there have been newer versions that are designed to be barely visible. It is also more capable of amplification and picking up wind noise more than other types.
Receiver in the ear (RITE) hearing aids
Receiver in the ear hearing aids looks similar to BTE hearing aids except that the ear tip of the RITE is slightly larger than the BTE’s. This is because the speaker is built into the ear tip, which is placed in the ear canal. Since the speaker is in the ear tip, it makes the component behind the ear smaller than the typical BTE aid. This type of aid also offers listening advantages and is typically used by adults.
In the Ear (ITE) hearing aids
The ITE style has two styles: full shell or half shell. A full shell ITE is custom-made to fill most of the outer area of your ear. The half shell ITE only fills the lower part. An ITE is easier to handle and usually uses a larger battery. The speaker may also be prone to earwax clogging as it is placed inside the ear. It is especially useful for people with mild to severe hearing loss.
Completely in the canal (CIC) hearing aids
This type of hearing aid aims to improve mild to severe hearing loss. The CIC hearing aid is molded to fit inside the person’s ear canal. This type of hearing aid is the smallest and least visible type as they’re fitted completely into the ear canal.
What is the best hearing aid among these types?
In getting the proper hearing aid for you, it is important to take different things into consideration. You have to take your dexterity, your lifestyle, and whether you have mild to moderate or severe to profound hearing loss. If you’re having a hard time deciding on what style, it is always best to consult an audiologist so he/she can brief you more about the advantages and disadvantages of each style.
