Maybe you've thought about buying a hearing aid, but you're worried about how it will look or whether it will actually work. Knowing the following information may help alleviate your concerns:
1.Available hearing aids
2.What to look for when buying a hearing aid
Hearing aids don't restore normal hearing. They amplify sounds you couldn't hear before, allowing you to hear more clearly.
How do hearing aids work?
Hearing aids contain different components that work together to amplify sound.
Hearing aids are made up of three basic parts:
A microphone.
An amplifier.
A speaker (receiver).
Sound comes in through the microphone. The microphone then converts the sound waves into electrical signals, which are sent to the amplifier. Finally, the amplifier sends the sound to your ears through a tiny speaker.
Types of hearing aids
Healthcare providers classify hearing aids into five types: behind-the-ear (BTE), in-the-ear (ITE), receiver-in-the-ear (RITE), in-the-canal (ITC), and CROS/BiCROS.
Behind the Ear (BTE)
Behind-the-ear (BTE) devices are suitable for people with hearing loss ranging from mild to severe. The device is worn behind the ear and is very comfortable. The hearing aid body is attached to a custom ear mold or thin tube. Because the device consists of multiple parts, skilled manual manipulation is required to ensure correct insertion and placement.
In-the-ear (ITE)
In-the-ear (ITE) devices fill either your entire ear (known as full-shell) or a portion of the bowl (known as half-shell) of your ear. These are best for people who may have dexterity issues or difficulty handling small items. Providers often recommend ITE devices for people with moderate to severe hearing loss.
Receiver-in-the-ear (RITE)
Receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) hearing aids are similar to BTE devices. The body of a RITE hearing aid sits behind your ear. A thin receiver wire extends from the body of the hearing aid over your outer ear and into your ear canal. A soft tip sits just inside of your ear canal without sealing it. For many people, this offers a more natural sound. RITE devices require manual dexterity. They’re appropriate for mild to severe hearing loss.
In-the-canal (ITC)
In-the-canal (ITC) hearing aids fit more deeply into your ear canal than ITE hearing aids, so they’re typically less visible. Because of their smaller size, they use smaller batteries and may be more difficult to handle. Depending on your situation, you may even qualify for completely-in-the-canal (CIC) hearing aids. These devices fit deeper into the ear canal so they’re even less visible.
CROS/BiCROS
Your healthcare provider may recommend a CROS/BiCROS hearing aid if you have normal hearing or minimal hearing loss in one ear, and very little or no usable hearing in the other ear. You wear the hearing aid on the better hearing side, and you wear an additional microphone on the poorer hearing side. This allows you to hear from the poorer side — even though it delivers all sounds to your better ear. These devices are especially beneficial when someone is talking on the side of the poorer ear. CROS stands for “Contralateral Routing of Signals.” BiCROS stands for “Bilateral Contralateral Routing of Signals.”
What’s the best type of hearing aid for my condition?
There are so many types of hearing aids on the market, selecting the one that’s right for you can feel overwhelming. The good news is that your healthcare provider can help you choose a device based on your specific health condition and situation, including the best type of hearing aid for:
Tinnitus (ringing in your ears).
Meniere’s disease (a condition in which swelling and pressure in your inner ear cause balance or hearing issues).
High-frequency hearing loss.
Low-frequency hearing loss.
Sensorineural hearing loss (caused by damage to your inner ear).
Mild to moderate hearing loss.
Severe hearing loss.
Profound hearing loss.
People with limited manual dexterity.
What if hearing aids don’t work for me?
For some people, hearing aids aren’t sufficient. If you have severe or profound hearing loss, you may have better success with cochlear implants or bone-anchored auditory implants. Ask your healthcare provider about treatment options.
How can I properly care for my hearing aids?
Taking care of your hearing aids helps keep them in good condition. Your healthcare provider can give you specific recommendations. Here are some general guidelines:
Clean your hearing aids exactly as directed.
Keep your hearing aids away from extreme temperatures, moisture, children and pets.
Avoid using personal care products, like hairspray, while wearing your hearing aids.
Turn your hearing aids off whenever you’re not using them.
Replace dead hearing aid batteries immediately.
If you have prescription hearing aids, see your audiologist at least once a year for adjustments and recalibration.
