Types of Hearing Aids
Hearing aids come in various designs and styles. The right one for you will depend on your hearing needs, comfort, and lifestyle.
- Completely-in-the-Canal (CIC): Fits entirely inside your ear canal and is nearly invisible.
- In-the-Canal (ITC): Sits partially in the ear canal.
- In-the-Ear (ITE): Fills most or all of the outer ear.
- Behind-the-Ear (BTE): Rests behind the ear and is connected to an earpiece.
- Receiver-in-Canal (RIC) / Receiver-in-the-Ear (RITE): Speaker sits inside the canal, connected to a behind-the-ear unit.
- Open Fit: Similar to BTE with a slim tube; keeps the ear canal open.
What to Expect from Modern Hearing Aids
While hearing aids will not restore natural hearing, they can greatly improve your ability to communicate and interact with your environment. Today’s advanced devices offer features like:
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Wireless streaming
- Directional microphones
- Telecoils for use with phones and assistive listening systems
- Noise cancellation
- Remote control and app-based settings
Adjustment takes time and patience, but most users find their quality of life improves dramatically.
