Hearing
Aids
What type of hearing aid should I get?
There are many different types of hearing aids. Each type has its own advantages and limitations. Selecting a hearing aid that’s right for you depends on a number of factors, including:
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The severity of your hearing loss (mild, moderate, severe or profound).
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The size and shape of your ear.
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How well you can use your fingers and hands (manual dexterity).
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The availability of new hearing aid technologies.
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Your personal preferences.
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Many of the latest hearing aids are rechargeable. You can even connect them to smartphones and other devices using Bluetooth® technology.
How many types of hearing aids are there?
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Hearing care providers categorize hearing aids into five types: behind-the-ear (BTE), in-the-ear (ITE), receiver-in-canal (RIC), in-the-canal (ITC) and CROS/BiCROS.
Behind-the-ear (BTE)
Behind-the-ear (BTE) devices are appropriate for people with a wide range of hearing loss, from mild to profound. This device fits neatly behind your ear. The body of the hearing aid attaches to a custom ear mold or thin tubing. Because this device has several parts, manual dexterity is necessary to ensure proper 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-canal (RIC)
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Receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aids are similar to BTE devices. The body of a RIC 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. RIC devices require manual dexterity. They’re appropriate for mild to severe hearing loss.
In-the-canal (ITC)
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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​
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Your Audiologist 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?
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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 Audiologist can help you choose a device based on your specific health condition and situation, including the best type of hearing aid for:
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Tinnitus (ringing in your ears).
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Meniere’s disease (a condition in which swelling and pressure in your inner ear cause balance or hearing issues).
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High-frequency hearing loss.
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Low-frequency hearing loss.
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Sensorineural hearing loss (caused by damage to your inner ear).
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Mild to moderate hearing loss.
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Severe hearing loss.
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Profound hearing loss.
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People with limited manual dexterity.
Schedule your Hearing Aid Evaluation today!