A hearing aid is a device used to restore your ability to hear sounds. Several types of hearing devices are available, including Behind-the-Ear (BTE), In-the-Canal (ITC), and Completely-in-Canal (CIC). The three most common types are the In-the-Ear (ITE) and Behind-the-Ear (BTE). BTE is the most common hearing device for children. At the same time, adults use ITC and CIC. Both types help you hear speech. You may be wondering which one is right for you. Read on to learn more.
In-the-Ear (ITE)
An ITE hearing aid is the most popular hearing aid for people with hearing loss. They sit comfortably in the outer ear bowl without the need for external wires or tubing. In addition, these hearing aids are typically bigger than BTE devices, making them easier to clean and change batteries. They also do not interfere with how you use the telephone or other electronic devices. But if you’re considering a BTE hearing aid, you should know that the size and shape of the ITE hearing aid will determine whether or not you’ll benefit from this type of device.
Behind-the-Ear (BTE)
There are many differences between an in-the-canal hearing aid and a BTE hearing assist. Both have their strengths and weaknesses, but they are best suited for people with mild to moderate hearing loss. An in-the-ear BTE hearing aid has a receiver located in the ear canal, while a BTE hearing assist has a receiver inside the main casing. BTE hearing aids are much easier to insert and remove, and they also have simpler controls that make them comfortable to use.
In-the-Canal (ITC)
The ITC hearing aid is designed to fit the lower third of your external ear. It is made to cover a larger surface area, which helps prevent acoustic leakage. Some features are distracting, though, such as a microphone that picks up electromagnetic signals from your mobile phone. It can make it hard to hear conversations. It also has a large battery and a larger receiver. If you have severe hearing loss, you may want to choose a larger device.
Completely-in-Canal (CIC)
A CIC hearing aid sits inside your ear canal. It means that you can’t access the controls on your hearing aid itself but instead use a remote control or smartphone app. However, because CIC hearing aids are so small, you have to take extra care of them. Because they are placed inside the ear canal, they are susceptible to earwax and moisture buildup. As a result, you’ll need to clean them more often than larger models.
Wireless technology
Wireless technology in hearing instruments can enhance the audio quality and improve the overall signal-to-noise ratio. There are two types of wireless technology: analog and digital. Analog wireless technology has been used in hearing instruments for 60 years. Its main benefit is that it offers high-quality audio streaming while allowing smaller and more compact devices. It can also be used for future developments. Wireless technology can also pair hearing instruments with other accessories, such as phones and laptops.
Battery life
Most hearing aid manufacturers will provide an estimated battery life. It is not uncommon for manufacturers to overestimate battery life, but the actual duration of a hearing aid’s battery depends on your lifestyle, hearing aid configuration, and wireless streaming. In addition, batteries are not standardized so the actual battery life will vary. You should also be aware of the different ways to conserve hearing aid batteries.
Directional microphone
A directional microphone for a hearing aid is a device that helps people with hearing loss understand speech, particularly in noisy environments. Hearing aids often have noise reduction algorithms to reduce noise in the signal, and directional microphones help the hearing aid reduce noise entering the microphone.