Have you recently found that you are experiencing hearing loss? If so, then it’s worth speaking to an audiologist. They will complete a hearing test and then recommend the hearing aids that are going to provide the right benefits that you need. There are various different types of hearing aids that are suitable for all levels of hearing loss. If you are going to gain benefits from hearing aids, then your audiologist will discuss all the options available to you.

One option that they might recommend is air conduction hearing aids. These are used by the vast majority of people who are experiencing hearing loss. This article explains everything that you need to know about hearing conduction hearing aids and why they could be the right choice for you.

Understanding Hearing Aids

Typical hearing aids come in two different main varieties: air conduction hearing aids and bone conduction hearing aids. Air conduction hearing aids are typically worn either behind the ear or sometimes they fit inside the ear canal.

These hearing aids can be worn when required and taken out when not in use. However, there are certain varieties that are fitted in and as such can be more comfortable while less practical.

The other option is bone conduction hearing aids. These require an implant and minor levels of surgery. A small implant is attached directly to skulls that works with the main hearing aids.

Why do people tend to choose air conduction hearing aids?

As mentioned, the vast majority of people who experience hearing loss will use air conduction hearing aids. They work by amplifying the sound someone is listening to and deliver the output directly into the ear canal.

The hearing aids are available in a variety of different styles and come with plenty of different features. As such, you should think about speaking to an audiologist to find out which features are going to provide the best benefits for you.

Air conduction hearing aids will typically be used for conduction hearing loss as well as sensorineural hearing loss.

What Are the Different Types of Air Conduction Hearing Aids?

There are various different types of air conduction hearing aids such as behind the ear (BTE), in the ear (ITE) and in the canal (ITC) devices. Behind-the-ear hearing aids, as you might expect, fit behind the ear. There is a tube that connects the main area of the device with the battery case. These used to be quite large however over years they have become smaller and more discreet.

In-the-ear devices are designed so that the battery, speaker and processor are all part of the same device. This means that they can fit in the outer bowl and there’s no loop that slots around the back. Instead, there is often a small cord that can be used to remove the device with a little tug.

In-the-canal devices will fit in the ear canal directly. As such, they are completely invisible from the outside. They do require special tools to be removed and will not offer any external controls. In some cases, an individual may need to arrange an appointment with an audiologist to change settings on the device.

What Features Are Available?

Regardless of which type of air conduction hearing aid you choose, there are various features that you might want to explore. For instance, some hearing aids have wireless connectivity. This means that they can connect with different devices that you probably use on a daily basis such as your phone or your laptop.

You might also want to explore hearing aids with noise masking technology. This is useful if you are experiencing a condition such as tinnitus where you hear noises that aren’t there. Your audiologist will be able to discuss all the different options with you.

What Other Types Are Available?

There are other types of hearing aids that are available. This includes bone-anchored hearing aids, middle ear implants and cochlear implants. The main difference between these and air conduction hearing aids is that they do require implants to work. They also respond differently. For instance, cochlear implants use the vibration of the bone to send the sound directly into the cochlear.

We hope this helps you understand everything that you need to know about the typical air conduction hearing aid that you can get if you are experiencing hearing loss. If you are interested in learning more about the different options, make sure that you contact Davis Audiology at (864) 810-6238. They will be able to provide you with all the information that you need on the different types of hearing aids that you can get.