The Different Kind Of Hearing Aid Options
Hearing loss is a common condition that affects millions of people around the world. Fortunately, with the advancement of technology, hearing aids have become an effective solution for people with hearing difficulties. Nowadays, there are several types of hearing aids available, each with unique features and characteristics that cater to different needs. Read below to explore some different types of hearing aids and their distinguishing features.
Behind-The-Ear (BTE) hearing aids:
BTE hearing aids are the most common type of hearing aid on the market. As the name suggests, they are worn behind the ear and come in various sizes. BTE hearing aids are suitable for all degrees of hearing loss and offer excellent sound quality. They also come with features like directional microphones, noise reduction, and wireless connectivity.
In-The-Ear (ITE) hearing aids:
ITE hearing aids are custom-made to fit inside the ear canal. They are less visible than BTE hearing aids and offer a comfortable fit. ITE hearing aids are suitable for mild to moderate hearing loss and come with features like volume control, directional microphones, and telecoil.
Receiver-In-Canal (RIC) hearing aids:
RIC hearing aids are similar to BTE hearing aids, but instead of a casing that sits behind the ear, they have a small speaker that sits in the ear canal. RIC hearing aids offer excellent sound quality and are suitable for mild to severe hearing loss. They come with features like wireless connectivity, noise reduction, and directional microphones.
Completely-In-Canal (CIC) hearing aids:
CIC hearing aids are custom-made to fit entirely inside the ear canal. They are the smallest type of hearing aid and are almost invisible when worn. CIC hearing aids are suitable for mild to moderate hearing loss and offer a natural sound quality. However, due to their small size, they may not come with advanced features like directional microphones or wireless connectivity.
Invisible-In-Canal (IIC) hearing aids:
IIC hearing aids are similar to CIC hearing aids but are even smaller and almost invisible when worn. They are custom-made to fit deep inside the ear canal and offer excellent sound quality. IIC hearing aids are suitable for mild to moderate hearing loss, but due to their small size, they may not come with advanced features like directional microphones or wireless connectivity.
Bone Conduction Hearing Aids:
Bone conduction hearing aids are unique in that they do not require the use of the ear canal. Instead, they work by sending sound vibrations through the bones in the skull, directly to the inner ear. Bone conduction hearing aids are suitable for people with conductive hearing loss or single-sided deafness. They can be worn with headbands or eyeglasses and offer excellent sound quality.
In conclusion, the different types of hearing aids offer a variety of options for people with hearing difficulties. The type of hearing aid a patient chooses depends on several factors, including the severity of the hearing loss, lifestyle, and budget. A hearing care professional can help to determine which type of hearing aid is right for a particular patient looking to buy hearing aids. With the right hearing aid, there will be no difficulty in staying connected with loved ones.
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