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Your Guide to the Different Hearing Aid Types

Zoom Local News > Technology > Your Guide to the Different Hearing Aid Types

Your Guide to the Different Hearing Aid Types

There were over 2 billion people around the world with some sort of hearing difficulties in 2020. Although hearing loss can be an unfortunate occurrence in someone’s life, hearing aids can help them overcome any difficulties.

But did you know that there are different hearing aid types available? Do you know which one you might need?

That’s what we’re here to look at today. Read on to find out more about which types of hearing aids are right for you.

Completely in the Canal (CIC)

The first of six hearing aid styles we’ll be covering is the Completely in the Canal aids, or CIC. These are molded to fit inside of one’s ear canal.

They’re the smallest and least visible form of hearing aids. Some claim that CIC hearing aids are less likely to pick up any extra noises like the wind. It also uses smaller batteries.

Since CIC hearing aids are smaller, the batteries tend to run out a little quicker and there aren’t as many extra features. However, they’re sufficient for those with minor to moderate hearing loss.

In the Canal

In the Canal hearing aids are usually custom-made to fit into a person’s specific ear canal. These are also meant for adults with minor to moderate hearing loss.

These are relatively similar to Completely in the Canal hearing aids but do have some space for extra features. As such, it remains a popular choice for those with some hearing loss.

In the Ear

In-the-Ear hearing aids come in two main designs. The first fills in the bowl-shaped area of the outer ear, while the other fills the lower part of the ear. Both are helpful for those with mild to severe hearing loss.

There are quite a few features available for many in-the-ear hearing aids, such as volume control. Since they’re more intricate, many find these to be easier to handle.

Behind the Ear

Behind-the-ear hearing aids have hooks that fit over the back of the ear, similar to some wireless headphones. A tube is connected to an earpiece that fits into your ear canal.

While behind-the-ear hearing aids are bigger and more visible, there are features like directional mics and better amplification that make them more versatile. Your hearing clinic may suggest these if you need these features.

Receiver in Canal/Receiver in Ear

Receiver-in-canal hearing aids, or receiver-in-ear aids, are very similar to the aforementioned behind-the-ear hearing aids. They have a tiny wire attached to the piece that’s behind the ear instead of a tube.

These are generally considered to be less visible than behind-the-ear aids. They do, however, retain features such as directional microphones and control options.

Open Fit

For those with good low-frequency hearing, open-fit hearing aids might work well since these allow for more space in the ear itself. It amplifies higher-frequency noises for those who have trouble picking up that type of sound.

It doesn’t plug your ear as much as other options, meaning you can hear the sound of your own voice in most cases. They might be harder to insert into your ear but are still useful for many with hard of hearing.

Best Hearing Aid Types for You

Knowing which hearing aid types are perfect for your situation means you have to know what the pros and cons of each are. Use this hearing aid buying guide to help you find the perfect pair.

For more informative articles on other related topics, check out the rest of our site!

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