3 FAQs About ITC Hearing Aids

Hearing aids come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, and there is a different type for each lifestyle and need that an individual might have. When you are getting a hearing aid fitted, it is important to make sure you get the right one. For that, it is always best to speak to your audiologist about what might be best – as they will be able to recommend exactly what’s right for you.

In-the-canal (ITC) hearing aids

There is a good chance that they will recommend an ITC hearing aid, because of the discreetness and privacy they provide. These hearing aids fit into the canal directly, and they have many advantages, from aesthetics to technological. To help you learn more about ITC hearing aids and see whether they might be right for you, let’s take a look at some of the most commonly asked questions about them and see what the answers are.

1. Are ITC hearing aids invisible?

Many people who consider getting an ITC hearing aid do so because they are looking for a more discreet option, which is what you get with canal-worn devices. But you might be wondering whether you are going to have absolute invisibility with an ITC hearing aid. The answer is that it is usually going to be technically visible, although in most cases, it will be more or less impossible to see.

With some types, there is the possibility that it will be invisible, so you do have that option if that is what you would prefer. But all ITC hearing aids are very subtle and will generally require someone looking directly into your ear to see them.

2. What styles of ITC hearing aids are there?

There are a couple of major styles of ITC hearing aid that you might be able to choose from. First of all, you have the ‘full shell’ ITC – these hearing aids have cases that entirely fill the bowl of your outer ear. Then you have the ‘half shell’ style, which only fills the lower portion of the ear bowl. It is still quite discreet in both cases, but these two options are available should you have the choice between them.

3. Will an ITC hearing aid need recasing?

From time to time, as you use your ITC hearing aid over the years, it might need to undergo a process called recasing. This becomes necessary because your ear canal cartilage can change shape slightly over time, meaning that the ITC hearing aid has to be adjusted to ensure that it still fits properly. Even just losing ten pounds – or gaining it – can make this a necessity. However, it is a simple procedure and one which can be done easily whenever necessary.

As you can see, the ITC hearing aid can be a very useful device and one which is worth looking into if you have hearing loss. Speak to your audiologist to learn more.