Which Style of Hearing Aid Is Best For Me?
Over recent decades, hearing aids and their technology have evolved immensely. They are more discreet, simple to use, and advanced technologically than ever before. But which hearing aid is best for you? This depends on the degree of your hearing loss, the places you want to hear better, the nature of your lifestyle, and the features you consider essential. Here are some questions to ask yourself.
What are your hearing needs?
Most people prefer to start with aesthetics when deciding on which type of hearing aid to use. Although it is essential that you feel comfortable about your hearing aids look, evaluating your particular hearing profile and specific needs is the best place to begin.
Firstly, the degree of your hearing loss is essential to note. Those with extreme or profound hearing losses may be a better fit with Behind-The-Ear (BTE) or In-The-Canal (ITC) hearing aids, whereby those with mild or moderate hearing losses have a more extensive choice of hearing aids to consider.
It is also necessary to consider any additional needs, such as tinnitus, that you can present in your hearing profile. Some hearing aids carry tinnitus masking features, which could help to drown out the annoying ringing sounds.
What are your lifestyle preferences?
Your lifestyle and tastes are some other essential factors to consider before deciding on a hearing aid.
Are you a big streamer of music, podcasts, or TV shows? You will appreciate the newer hearing aids directly connecting with any Bluetooth device, be it your TV, smartphone, or laptop.
Likewise, maybe you love hiking, mountain climbing, or any other outdoor pursuit. If this sounds like you, it makes sense to choose a durable hearing aid that is sweat and dust resistant.
What are the different types of hearing aids?
There are so many types of hearing aids that you might get overwhelmed. To help guide you, here is a list of some of the most common styles out there.
Invisible-in-the-Canal (IIC): The smallest type of hearing aid out there is so small that no one will know you are wearing them.
Completely-in-Canal (CIC): The entire hearing aid is fitted in the ear canal, similar to the IIC, but slightly less discreet.
In-the-Ear (ITE): These are bigger than the CIC type. This slightly larger size allows extra features and a longer-lasting battery. It fits into the entire ‘bowl’ of the ear.
In-the-Canal (ITC): This model fits partly into the ear canal and is suitable for mild to moderate hearing loss. Since they are larger, they have more features and better battery life than their smaller counterparts.
Receiver-in-the-Canal (RIC): RIC hearing aids are also considered a smaller version of the behind-the-ear style. RICs have a shell that includes components and user controls that reside behind the ear.
Behind-the-Ear (BTE): BTEs are durable, easy to transport, and quick to use. They house the most significant number of features and handle the broadest spectrum of hearing losses, from mild to severe.
Other hearing aid considerations
After answering the above questions, there are a few more things to consider:
- Dexterity: For those with dexterity problems, smaller devices can be challenging to manage.
- Battery life: Smaller hearing systems use smaller batteries that need to be changed more often than larger hearing aids.
- Budget: What type of hearing aid can you afford
Finally, there is your location to consider. At FitHearing Audiology Network, we are proud to offer top-notch hearing services at numerous locations (find a provider here).
If you have mobility issues or live in an area far away from a hearing practice, it might be inconvenient for you to visit a hearing professional regularly. If so, you might consider choosing a hearing aid with software that allows your hearing aids’ remote reprogramming.
If you need help deciding, please contact us! Our experienced providers will help you find hearing aids that best suit you, whether you value power, features, or a discreet form factor. The more you use them, the more out of them you get. Contact us to set up a consultation today.
