Hearing Aid Style
Hearing aids have improved greatly with the advent of digital technology. If you’re picturing big and bulky devices with questionable sound quality, you’ll be pleased to learn today’s instruments are smaller, more comfortable and provide sound that is more natural. They are available in a variety of sizes and styles, so finding one that appeals to your lifestyle needs and cosmetic preferences should be easy.
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Here are the types available:
INVISIBLE-IN-CANAL (IIC)
These are a good choice if you have mild to moderate hearing loss. They are custom-fitted and come in a choice of colors. IICs are unique because they’re inserted deep into the ear canal, so depending on your ear shape, they’re often invisible when worn. This is a huge advantage for the style-conscious wearer.
COMPLETELY-IN-CANAL (CIC)
Unlike the IICs, these aids are comfortably inserted and extracted from your ear, with the small “handle” peeping out the side. They are custom-made and mostly invisible, as well as coming in a range of colors to match the skin-tone of your inner ear. They’re the perfect choice if you have mild to moderate hearing loss.
IN-THE-CANAL(ITC)
ITC hearing aids feature a custom-fit, skin-matching colors, and can be inserted and extracted with ease. Made to look as if they are a part of your natural ear, these aids are the perfect choice if your hearing is diminishing at a steady pace. Suitable for mild to mildly severe hearing losses.
IN-THE-EAR (ITE)
Mildly severe to severe hearing loss patients may find ITE hearing aids beneficial due to their sleek design that fits perfectly to the ear’s outer entrance. They are incredibly comfortable to wear and offer maximum hearing coverage. Available in a variety of colors, they’re custom made and can be matched to your skin tone.
RECEIVER-IN-CANAL (RIC)
Barely visible when worn, the RIC style is an instrument in which the receiver, or speaker, is inside the ear canal. Thin electrical wires are used instead of a plastic acoustical tube, reducing distortion. RIC hearing aids provide a comfortable, open fit and are perfect for mild to moderate hearing loss.
BEHIND-THE-EAR (BTE)
When you think “hearing aid” – the chances are you’re thinking of the BTE design. Usually worn by moderate to severe hearing loss patients, the technology is housed in the casing of these hearing aids, ensuring they rest comfortably behind the ear while the clear plastic acoustical tube sends the amplified sounds into a customized ear-mold that’s fitted inside the canal.
