People short of hearing are often prescribed by audiologists to use hearing aids. These electronic devices help in transmitting auditory signals to the brain and make the hearing process seamless for the affected individual. Hearing aids are available in many types; the audiologist will suggest the right one depending on the hearing problem.
Are you facing hearing issues? The first step is to consult an audiologist, who conducts the necessary tests and prescribes a hearing aid. There are different types of hearing aids, and they are going to help you combat the slightest to the most severe hearing problem.
Read this blog to know how hearing aids can be of help and what the different types. But make sure to get your ears checked first by a professional audiologist.
What Is a Hearing Aid?
People use this small electric device in or behind their ears. It makes people facing hearing loss listen to louder sounds in daily activities.
Products like GN ReSound hearing aid help people hear in both quiet and noisy situations. It has 3 basic parts:
- Microphone
- Amplifier
- Speaker.
The device receives sound through a microphone. It sends the electric signals to an amplifier from sound waves. This increases the signal power by entering through a speaker.
How Do Hearing Aids Help?
People who face hearing loss are helped with this device. The aids improve hearing.
This hearing loss is called sensorineural hearing loss. The damage can occur from aging or injury due to noise or certain medicines.
The hearing aid enhances sound vibrations that enter the ear. Working hair cells convert the vibrations into neural signals after detecting them. The signals are then transmitted to the brain.
As the hair cells get more damaged, the hearing loss also becomes more severe. And for this, you need huge hearing aid amplification to make up the difference.
If the inner ear gets damaged, you do not get neural signals from large vibrations. A hearing aid would not work in this situation.
Products like GN ReSound hearing aids come with quality and are tailored to their users.
What Are the Different Types of Hearing Aids?
The different types of hearing aids are:
● Completely in the Canal
The professionals put this aid inside the ear canal. CIC is the short form of it. This helps adults deal with mild to moderate hearing loss in their day-to-day lives
CIC is small in size, which makes it hard for others to see. It blocks wind noise easily. This contains very small batteries that have a shorter lifespan and can be hard to handle.
CIC does not contain features like volume control or a directional microphone.
● In The Canal
This device fits into the ear canal. People can not notice it when worn in comparison to larger styles.
The features do not fit on the CIC aids. You may find it hard to adjust for the small size.
● In The Ear
This comes in 2 styles. One covers most of the outer ear, and the other covers only the lower part.
People can use these aids if they have mild to more serious hearing loss. They contain directional microphones to help users hear better in noisy places.
ITE hearing aids contain unique features like volume control that are different from smaller hearing aids. It is also easier to handle.
You get options for batteries that are rechargeable. The ITE catches more wind noise than smaller aids. Others can notice it easily when you use it.
● Behind the Ear
You have to put it over the top of the ear and leave it behind the ear. BTE devices connect to a custom earpiece using a tube. It fits in the ear canal.
People can use this device at any age. It can provide the most volume with a large receiver.A few Signia hearing aid models are some of the best BTE devices on the market. These hearing aids are a tad bit smaller in size, which makes it easy for the user to wear them without any discomfort.
It can make a louder volume and catch more wind noise than others. The battery of this device comes with recharging options.
● Receiver In Canal or Receiver In The Ear
These styles are like BTE aids. The receiver sits in the ear canal. A small wire connects the piece to the receiver behind the ear.
RIC makes it harder for others to notice. The directional microphones help users hear sounds in noisy places.
You get manual control option features with a battery to recharge in this device.
● Open Fit
This keeps the ear canal open. A narrow tube enters the ear canal. You can hear low-frequency sounds like barking dogs and lawn mowers easily with this device.
You can hear high-frequency sounds like children’s voices with this device. An open-fit aid is a good option for mild to moderate high-frequency hearing loss.
People can not notice users using the open-fit aid easily. It does not cover the ear like the other aids do. This makes your voice sound better to you.
Finding it difficult to choose the best hearing aid? Take a look at this hearing aid comparison chart below:
| Type of Hearing Aid | Good for | Features | Top Providers |
| Completely in the Canal | Mild to moderate hearing loss | Fit inside the ear completely, almost invisible | Signia, Phonak |
| In The Canal | Mild to moderate hearing loss | Volume controls, block funnel, and wind noise | Resound, Signia |
| In The Ear | Mild to severe hearing loss | Directional microphones, increased battery life | Phonak, Signia |
| Behind The Ear
|
Mild to extremely severe hearing loss | Durable, Bluetooth streaming | Signia, Resound |
| Receiver In Canal
|
Mild to moderate hearing loss | Clear sound, can be recharged on the go | Phonak, Signia, |
| Open Fit | Mild to moderate hearing loss | Amplify specific sounds, reduce wind sounds | Resound, Phonak |
See an Audiologist First to Get a Hearing Aid
So, if you are considering hearing aids, then there are various types to choose from. Get help from a reliable audiologist about which hearing aid will benefit you the most.
This depends on the result of your hearing test, so find a good clinic near you and get an appointment with the audiologist.
