Common Hearing Aid Styles

If you’re having trouble hearing, your audiologist may advise you to consider wearing hearing aids. These innovative devices capture and amplify sound, opening you up to auditory and sensory experiences you may have been missing out on. There are multiple types of hearing aid available, and an audiologist can help you decide which style is best for you.

Common hearing aid styles

Modern technology affords a diverse range of options when it comes to choosing a hearing aid. The most common types of hearing aids include:

• Behind the ear (BTE): Perhaps the most recognizable kind of hearing aid, the BTE hearing aid sits behind the ear. The outer shell of the hearing aid nestles behind the tip of the ear, and the tubing runs down the inside of the outer ear to connect to an earmold in the opening of the ear canal. Behind-the-ear hearing aids come in a range of colors from discreet skin tones to funky patterns and bright shades. BTE hearing aids can offer different features and settings, with both basic and more advanced models available. Most people are suitable candidates for this type of hearing aid.
• In the ear (ITE): ITE hearing aids are a very popular option due to their discretion. With this type of hearing aid, every component is contained with an earmold that fits inside the ear. ITE hearing aids can usually only be seen from the side. While in-the-ear hearing aids may be appealing to those who are looking for a discreet device, they are not ideal for everyone. If you’re prone to recurrent ear infections, you have more severe hearing loss, or your manual dexterity is poor, other styles of hearing aid may be preferable. Your audiologist can discuss alternatives with you.
• In the canal (ITC): ITC hearing aids are similar to ITE devices, but they are smaller and designed to sit inside the ear canal, rather than in the opening of the ear. This makes them even more difficult to spot, which is excellent news for those looking for a virtually invisible hearing aid. Like ITE hearing aids, ITC hearing aids may not be ideally suited to you if you struggle with small, intricate parts and controls or you have significant hearing loss.

Other options include:

• Invisible in canal (IIC): This is the smallest hearing aid on the market, and it is designed for people with mild to moderate hearing loss.
• Completely in canal (CIC): A compact, discreet hearing aid, this is a popular choice for people who have mild or moderate hearing loss.

How to choose the right style for you

With an array of hearing aid styles on offer, it can be challenging to narrow down the options. Several factors may influence your decision when it comes to choosing which type of hearing aid to go for. In many cases, the results of your hearing tests will indicate which styles are best suited to you. Some hearing aids are geared towards mild hearing loss, while others are aimed at severe hearing loss. You might also have preferences in terms of the esthetic of the hearing aid and how visible it is, and your manual dexterity may also affect your decision. If you find it difficult to deal with small parts, for example, your audiologist may advise against an ITC or an IIC hearing aid. Your lifestyle may also play a role. If you’re very active, for example, you might find that one style suits you better than another.

Once your audiologist has analyzed and evaluated the results of your hearing tests and assessments, they can talk to you about the different styles on offer and come up with ideas and recommendations based on your needs, and also your preferences. Your audiologist will ask you questions about your normal daily routine and your lifestyle and talk to you about the look of different hearing aids to provide suggestions that tick every box. We’ll be happy to show you different devices so that you can have a closer look and get a feel for each hearing aid, and we’re always on hand to answer questions and give you as much information as possible before you make a decision.

If you’ve been advised to use hearing aids, and you’d like more information about the different types of devices on offer, we’d love to hear from you. To find out more about the services we offer at Davis Audiology, don’t hesitate to call us today at (864) 655-8300.