Types of Hearing Aids: Benefits, Options, and How to Choose – Healthline

If you’re one of the 48 million Americans with some degree of hearing loss, you might be wondering if hearing aids can help improve your hearing.

While they can’t restore normal hearing, a hearing aid can improve your ability to hear, and they may also play a significant role in boosting your overall quality of life.

Keep reading to learn about the different types of hearing aids available, and how to choose which one is right for you.

If you have hearing loss, your doctor may recommend a small electronic device called a hearing aid that you wear in or behind your ear.

According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), the device magnifies sound vibrations entering the ear, helping to improve hearing and speech comprehension.

Hearing aids, regardless of the type, have three different parts:

• microphone
• amplifier
• speaker

Sound comes through the microphone, which then converts to electrical signals. These signals go to the amplifier, which increases the power of the signal. The amplifier then sends them to the ear through a speaker.

Types of hearing aids

Hearing aids are differentiated by where you place them, how they work, and special features. The four primary types of devices are:

• Behind-the-ear (BTE)
• In-the-canal (ITC)
• In-the-ear (ITE)
• Receiver-in-canal (RIC)

We’ll go over each of these types in the following sections.

Behind-the-ear or a BTE aid rests behind the ear with a clear tube connecting to the earmold. The parts — battery compartment, microphone, and controls — are all contained in a compartment that sits behind the ear. This style is appropriate for mild to profound hearing loss.

BTEs are easy to clean and handle, and they’re also relatively sturdy. According to the Food & Drug Administration (FDA), BTEs are recommended for children since you can replace the earmold as they grow.

A variation of the BTE is an open-fit hearing aid that allows the ear canal to remain open by fitting behind the ear completely. A narrow tube goes into the canal. Sometimes this style is recommended if you have a lot of earwax or are prone to buildup.

In-the-canal (ITC) is a lightweight plastic shell that sits inside of the canal. They’re known for being comfortable and easy to use. Plus, they’re made to fit the size and shape of your ear. However, since they’…….

Source: https://www.healthline.com/health/types-of-hearing-aids