Which are the Most Popular Types of Hearing Aids?

One of the most frustrating things to deal with is hearing loss. You may not notice it at first, as it can be very gradual, with you gently turning the television volume up, or asking friends to repeat themselves. Before you know it, you're struggling to focus on conversations happening around you, you're feeling frightened because this is new and you don't know how to handle it. In these moments, you can feel reassured that there are professional audiologists around able to help.

The good news is that those dealing with hearing loss will get help with the most modern hearing aids of the day. Hearing aids are not the same as they used to be though we still have the behind-the-ear style around! Technological advancements have meant that there are now hearing aids that you can pair with your smartphone if you want to – which is a huge sign of the leaps that the hearing community has championed. With this in mind, let's take a closer look at some of the most popular types of hearing aids around today.

Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids

These are probably the most common hearing aids that your audiologist may discuss with you. They sit behind the ear in a small, flesh-colored casing. There is a microphone that amplifies all sounds to the earbud that sits in the ear canal, and these are likely the hearing aids with which you are most familiar. These are beneficial because of their high level of security. The casing is a protective shell around the battery and all of the control options, and these are kept safe from the rest of the world. These can hold bigger batteries than most hearing aid options due to their size, but they are not the most discreet option out there.

In-the-canal (ITC) hearing aids 

Next, we have the ITC hearing aids, which are custom made for those who wear them. These sit directly in the ear canal, and you can only just see the hearing aid from the outside. Discretion is guaranteed unless someone takes a close look at your ear. These offer directional microphones, which means that you can move them to suit hearing sounds around you. These hearing aids are still big enough to control the volume by hand.

In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids 

These hearing aids are explicitly created to sit in the outer portion of the ear. There are two models for this hearing aid type: full shell and half shell. The half-shell will only sit on the lower part of the ear, with the full shell covering most of the outer ear. These are larger than some others on the market, and they're not discreet, either. They do have excellent memory and volume controls that can be accessed quickly, and they will not quit on you when you need them as they are robust.

Completely-in-canal (CIC) hearing aids 
Custom-made to fit, your audiologist will recommend these as an option that fits directly in the ear canal without any of it showing. You will only see a small piece of the hearing aid on the outside of the ear, and it's the part you would hold onto to insert and remove the hearing aid. These are fitted correctly and designed for you to have it sitting in the ear without it moving around. It is well-positioned for optimal hearing, and you can rely on your audiologist's custom-fit to suit your hearing needs.

Receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) hearing aids 

Small, thin wires of this hearing aid act as microphones, and they help to move sound directly into the speaker. The receiver-in-the-ear hearing aids sit in the ear canal, and they are a popular option for most people. There is a separation between the microphone and the speakers, which means that there is very little feedback or buzzing, which is common in some hearing aids.

If you feel that you are losing your hearing or that you may need an audiologist's support, then the best thing that you can today is learn more about Portland Audiology Clinic, LLC. Call us today at (503) 227-3668. Our experts are available now to give you the advice that you need for your hearing. Our reputation is solid, with plenty of reviews by happy patients who have attended our practice. We have audiologists here who can advise you on the right hearing aids and diagnose any hearing issues that you may be having right now. Don't let your hearing get you down.