How Do You Pick Out the Right Hearing Aids?

Since they have become commercially available at the beginning of the 20th century, hearing aid devices have gone a long way. Today, they boast some impressive features and can fine-tune your hearing. However, with so many types of devices on the market, it has never been so essential to pick the right one for your needs. 

Today, modern hearing aid models are designed to capture the sound in the surrounding environment, using microphones to amplify it and deliver it into your ear. Thanks to an inner computer, these devices are able to adjust the sound, making it clearer and reducing noise to fit your hearing level. But selecting the right configuration is vital to find a model that will suit your lifestyle. Visiting your hearing health professional is always the first step – but you can find an overview of the different alternatives below. 

In the ear (ITE)

ITE hearing aids are small devices designed to fit inside the canal or ear. These hearing aids are usually suitable for mild to severe hearing loss, but they are also discrete and easy to care for. 

The two most common types of ITE hearing aids include full-shell and half-shell models. Compared to in-the-canal (ITC) models, ITE ones are slightly larger and more visible, but they are packed with handy functionalities, including volume controls, directional microphones, rechargeable batteries, longer battery life and options to reduce background noise manually. 

Thanks to the slightly larger size, these devices are easier to care for and clean. Your hearing care provider might recommend these hearing aids for your needs if you have limited dexterity or mobility. 

Behind the ear (BTE)

BTE hearing aids are a valid alternative to ITE hearing aids if you are looking for a slightly larger, more powerful device. The main body of these devices sits behind the ear, and the main case is connected to a receiver located into the ear canal. The two sections are connected by a custom-made earpiece that your hearing specialist will adapt to your specific needs. Compared to ITE devices, BTE models are usually larger and less discrete, but they offer some considerable advantages. They typically boast several directional microphones, have greater amplification capabilities, and provide an extremely long battery life. 

Since these devices are also easy to remove and clean – and leave the ear canal almost free – they can prevent earwax build-up, infections, or other hearing problems. Thanks to their several functionalities, they are often the models your hearing care provider will recommend to you if you have tinnitus. 

In the canal (ITC)

These devices entirely fit into the ear canal, providing a discrete and highly versatile solution. In addition, most devices tend to sit in the outer ear bowl, which makes them a suitable alternative for those who have reduced dexterity or tremors. Indeed, they are easy to remove, clean and reposition. 

By entirely covering the canal, these devices can also cut out background noise and reduce sounds that might get in the way. You can also benefit from volume controls and directional microphones with most ITC devices.