What Style of Hearing Aid I Should Wear?

If you are experiencing hearing loss, the first thing that you should do is to schedule a consultation with an audiologist. Getting a professional opinion is the most crucial step to make when you have noticed a change in your hearing. The sooner that you schedule your appointment, the better, as it is always better to address hearing loss rather than ignoring it. Getting your hearing checked by an audiologist could help to prevent your ability to hear from reducing further. 

At the consultation, your audiologist will perform a thorough hearing exam which will show the extent of your hearing loss. Based on the type of hearing loss you are experiencing an audiologist will likely recommend that you wear hearing aids.

Using hearing aids can make a vast difference to your life, and you may be surprised at how much easier it is to follow conversations and hear noises around you. Wearing hearing aids can make such an improvement to your quality of life, but you will need to decide which style of hearing aids I should choose? 

To help you decide which style of hearing aids are best for you, we've put together a brief guide on the main hearing aid styles so that you can make the right choice with your next model.

Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids 

Behind the ear hearing aids are usually referred to as BTE. BTE are what many people consider a more traditional style of hearing aid. BTE hearing aids are positioned behind the ear, and tubing connects them to an ear mold that sits in the ear canal.

The BTE section of the hearing aid is usually skin-colored, but if you want to make a statement, more colorful designs are available. The molds are also usually matched to your skin tone, making them more discreet. BTE hearing aids are suitable for people experiencing hearing loss that is mild through to severe hearing loss.

Mini behind-the-ear hearing aids

Not all BTE hearing aids are the same size. The size of the hearing aid is often related to how powerful it is. So, if you have a higher degree of hearing loss, you may need larger hearing aids.

But, mini BTE hearing aids are also available if you want the power of a BTE hearing aid, but with a smaller appearance. Many styles of mini BTE use a small tip to carry sound into the ear canal instead of a mold. This style is only suitable for certain hearing loss types and is best for high-frequency hearing loss that is either mild or moderate.

In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids 

Unlike BTE hearing aids, ITE styles do not have behind the ear controls. Instead, ITE hearing aids sits in the outer bowl and are available in several variations. 

Full shell ITE hearing aids fill the entire ear bowl and are usually flesh-colored, which enables them to blend in with the rest of the ear. If you have severe hearing loss but do not want BTE hearing aids, full shell ITE hearing aids could be a good choice.

In-the-canal (ITC) hearing aids

ITC hearing aids are a smaller, more discreet option than full shell hearing aids. But ITC styles are better suited to mild-or-moderate hearing loss than severe. In the canal hearing aids usually feature volume controls and directional microphones so you can adjust them to suit your needs.

Completely-in-canal (CIC) hearing aids

If you want hearing aids that are barely visible, then CIC or completely in canal hearing aids could be the style for you. These custom hearing aids comfortably fit into the ear canal and are suitable for mild-or-moderate hearing loss.

Invisible-in-canal (IIC) hearing aids

IIC hearing aids are the ultimate in discreet styles and are hidden from view, so nobody else will know that you are wearing them. If you experience mild-or-moderate hearing loss, IIC hearing aids could be suitable for you.

Choosing the perfect style of hearing aids can seem confusing. When selecting the best kind of hearing aids, you will need to consider the type of hearing loss you are experiencing and whether you find BTE or ITE more comfortable.

To learn more about Portland Audiology Clinic LLC, call us today at (503) 227-3668 and discover how we can help your hearing.