Introduction
Hearing aids are electronic devices designed to improve and assist hearing in patients with moderate to profound hearing loss. They cannot restore complete hearing in patients with hearing loss, but they can improve the hearing experience and overall quality of life. Different types of hearing aids are made for people with different hearing disabilities, and the best for you will be decided by your audiologist.
How Do Hearing Aids work?
The hearing aid transmits the sound from the environment into the ear by amplifying the sound. The parts of the hearing aids are the same regardless of the type of hearing aid, and they are:
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A microphone.
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An amplifier.
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A speaker is also called the receiver.
The microphone collects the sound from the environment, which is then converted into electrical codes. These electrical signals then go through the amplifier, increasing the signal's power, and are then converted into sound waves. The signals will then go to the ear through a speaker. Most hearing aids are digital, and a traditional hearing aid battery or a rechargeable battery powers them.
What Are the Types of Hearing Aids?
Hearing aids are of different sizes, shapes, and prices, and how they are placed in the ear; they are:
Completely in the Canal or Mini - A completely-in-the-canal hearing fits inside your ear canal. It is given to patients with mild to moderate hearing loss in adults.
A completely-in-the-canal hearing aid has the following features:
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It is small and least visible.
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It is less likely to pick up wind noise.
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It uses small batteries, which have a shorter life and can be difficult to handle.
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It does not have other features like volume control or a directional microphone.
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It is susceptible to clogging by earwax.
In the Canal - An in-the-canal (ITC) hearing aid is custom-made and partly fits in the ear canal. This hearing aid style can be useful for people with mild to moderate hearing loss.
An in-the-canal hearing aid has the following features:
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Less visible in the ear compared to the larger types.
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It has features incorporated that are not present in the completely-in-the-ear type of hearing aid, but it is difficult to adjust because of its smaller size.
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It is susceptible to earwax clogging the speaker.
In the Ear- An in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aid is custom-made in two styles, and they are— one that occupies most of the bowl-shaped area of the outer ear (full shell) and one that occupies only the lower part (half shell). Both types of hearing aids are helpful for people with mild to severe hearing loss. In addition, this type of hearing aid has directional microphones, which means that it has two microphones for better hearing in noise.
An in-the-ear hearing aid has the following features:
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It has features that do not fit on smaller hearing aids, like a volume control.
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It is much easier to handle.
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This type of hearing aid has a larger battery with longer life and other options like rechargeable batteries.
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It is susceptible to clogging with earwax over the speaker.
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It may pick up more wind noise than smaller devices.
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It is more visible in the ear than the smaller hearing aids.
Behind the Ear- A behind-the-ear (BTE) type of hearing aid is placed at the top of your ear and behind the ear. The hearing aid is connected via a tube to the custom earpiece called an earmold placed in the ear canal. A behind-the-ear hearing aid can be used by people of all ages and is suitable for almost all types of hearing loss.
A behind-the-ear hearing aid has the following features:
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This type of hearing aid is the largest, and some new mini designs are available.
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It has directional microphones
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Has more amplification than other types.
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It may pick up more wind noise.
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It is available with a rechargeable battery.
Receiver in the Canal or Receiver in the Ear- The receiver-in-canal and receiver-in-the-ear are hearing aid types similar to the behind-the-ear hearing aid with the speaker or the receiver in the ear canal. A wire connects the piece behind the ear to the speaker or receiver.
A receiver-in-canal hearing aid has the following features:
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Behind the ear portion is not much visible.
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It has directional microphones.
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It has manual control options.
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Rechargeable battery is available.
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It is also susceptible to clogging the speaker with earwax.
Open Fit - An open-fit hearing aid is a deviation from the behind-the-ear hearing aid with a thin tube or the receiver-in-the-canal or receiver-in-the-ear hearing aid with an open dome in the ear. This will keep the ear canal open, allowing low-frequency sound to enter the ear naturally and amplifying the high-frequency sounds through the hearing aid. This type of hearing aid is apt for people with low-frequency hearing and mild to moderate high-frequency hearing loss.
An open-fit hearing aid has the following features:
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Visible from outside.
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It does not plug the ear like the in-the-ear hearing aid styles, often making your voice sound better.
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It may be more difficult to insert into the ear due to the non-custom dome.
How to Choose the Right Hearing Aid?
There are different types of hearing aids, so it is important to choose the best for you, which might not be attained at the first option. It is a trial-and-error method. So, here are some tips which will make the journey of choosing the right hearing aid less complicated.
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Consult a Doctor- The best way to know the right hearing aid is to consult with a doctor who can suggest the hearing aid according to the type of hearing loss you have.
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Take a Trial - Many companies offer a trial period. Also, make sure about the product's refund policy in case of a return before you leave the store.
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Warranties - Another important feature to be considered is the warranty. Read through the leaflet provided with the hearing aid and understand their warranty policy fully. Also, consider extending the warranty if it is possible.
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Repairs and Adjustments - Ask about the repairs and adjustment pricing in case of malfunction.
Conclusion
Hearing aids are devices designed to help people suffering from hearing loss. These devices are of different types and even customized according to the patient's needs. So, it is important to know in detail about each type to choose the right one for you.
