4 FAQs About Hearing Aid Styles

If you experience a change in your hearing, you should see an audiologist for a check-up. During your appointment, they will be able to identify any hearing loss issues and they may recommend hearing aids. 

There are a number of different hearing aid styles available and many people are unsure which one is right for them. Your audiologist will be able to help you determine which style is best for you but if you want to be prepared for your appointment, here are some frequently asked questions about hearing aid styles. 

What styles of hearing aid are available?

There are several hearing aid types available, which can treat various degrees of hearing loss ranging from mild to profound.

In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids are a discrete option that is located on the outer bowl. They are usually constructed from a plastic casing with the electronics inside. Many ITE hearing aids come with a small a telecoil.

The hearing aid can pick up sound through this coil instead of the microphone in certain circumstances, making it easier to hear telephone conversations. ITE hearing aids are usually used for mild-to-moderate hearing loss. 

Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids have a piece inside the ear as well as a unit that hooks over and sits behind. All of the electronics are in the section behind the ear. BTE hearing aids are more powerful and are used for all forms of hearing loss in people of all ages. 

In-the-canal (ITC) hearing aids are custom-fitted hearing aids that fit inside the canal. They are less visible than other types of hearing aid, but they are much smaller and do not have space for as many extra features, like a telecoil. 

What are digital hearing aids?

Digital hearing aids convert sound into numerical codes instead of simple electronic signals. These codes contain more information about the sound, like pitch and loudness, which allows for more targeted adjustments. Certain frequencies of sound can be amplified more than others to cater to various environments or focus on sound from a specific direction. 

Which hearing aid should you choose?

The hearing aids that you should choose will be specific to your needs. Do you have to speak on the phone a lot at work? An ITE hearing aid may be the best option for you. Do you spend a lot of time in crowded areas? You may prefer something that offers noise reduction features. 

Are new hearing aid styles being developed?

Although ITE, BTE and ITC are the main styles of hearing aids, with some variations available within these common types. Many audiologists are researching new strategies for processing sound to reduce issues with feedback, noise interference and the occlusion effect. Hearing aid technology continues to improve all the time and your audiologist will be able to recommend new hearing aids as improved models are released.