What are the Most Common Hearing Aid Styles?

It is not easy to hear from your audiologist that your hearing is deteriorating, the good news is that hearing aids offer a lot of support for hearing loss. When you first hear that you can get a hearing aid you may be thrilled to find out there is a solution to your hearing loss.

You can live a normal and active life when you use the right hearing aid. However, selecting the right hearing aid can be a challenge. There are several different types of hearing aids on the market and you may be confused about exactly which one would be right for you. Your audiologist will help you to find the right one that will meet your specific needs.

Here is a look at the various styles of hearing aids and the features that you can expect to get from each of them.

In-the-Ear (ITE) Hearing Aids

ITE hearing aids have a custom shell filling that fits comfortably in your ear. They are very discreet and are a great choice for those who have an active lifestyle. Since they sit so comfortably in the outer bowl and are custom modeled for your ears they will stay securely in place. Your audiologists will use a custom earmold to create the hearing aids. 

The features of these types of hearing aids are very impressive and you will find that they have a lot of different functions, such as good volume control.

Behind-the-Ear (BTE) Hearing Aids

They are considered to be among the most powerful hearing aids on the market. The receiver, amplifier and microphone of this hearing aid are all placed behind the ear. A plastic tube is used to connect the shell to a mold inside your ear. This is one of the bigger types of hearing aids and because of this a lot of features can be implemented into it. 

BTE hearing aids tend to have very long battery life and they are also among the most durable types of hearing aids on the market. If you prefer a solution that is extremely effective, long-lasting but a little bit less discrete then an ITE hearing aid may be just what you need.

In-the-Canal (ITC) Hearing Aids

These types of hearing aids are usually custom fitted specifically for your ears. They tend to be less visible than other styles of hearing aids. They often have controls that let you increase or decrease the volume. 

They also have a larger memory than you will not find in smaller custom-made hearing aids. With ITC hearing aids, no part of them will be visible outside of your ear. This is why they are such a popular choice for people who prefer a more discreet yet functional look.

They tend to have good battery life and are used for a wide selection of hearing loss. Even though these hearing aids are discrete they still have a lot of features. Some of them contain directional microphones so that they can pick up sound in noisy environments. Many of them have manual controls as well.

Invisible-in-Canal (IIC) Hearing Aids

These hearing aids are extremely discreet and they are the smallest hearing aids that are made. An IIC hearing aid will rest deep in your ear. However, if you prefer a very discreet solution to your hearing loss then it is a perfect choice.

Completely-in-Canal (CIC) Hearing Aids

They are extremely discreet hearing aids and can be custom made to match the anatomy of your ear canal. This makes them great for giving you adequate comfort and support. You can get these hearing aids in a wide variety of skin tones so that they are not immediately visible to the naked eye.

Get the Right Hearing Aid

As you can see there is a wide selection of hearing aids available on the market. The one that you choose is highly dependent on your needs and what you prefer. Discuss with your audiologist all the options that are available to you. 

Pay attention to all the features that are outlined here and discuss with your audiologist which ones are most critical. This will help you to make the right selection for your needs. The good news is that hearing loss does not mean you have to give up your lifestyle. You can find the right hearing aid that will make you have a comfortable and active life.

The specialists at Hearing Solutions of Louisiana can guide you through the hearing aid selection process. To schedule an appointment, call our office at (337) 607-0630.