TYPES OF HEARING AIDS AND THEIR FEATURES

If you are suffering from a hearing loss and thinking of to get a hearing machine for yourself then there is a wide variety style, types, shapes and varying levels of ear machine available in the market but, Then the question arises which hearing device is the best suitable for you?

You want to invest money in buying the hearing machine, but you are not sure which one to buy then don’t worry we are here to solve your problem.

There is a wide range of hearing device present in the market which will make your head spin. However, each hearing aid type is different according to strength, weaknesses, and different suitability for different people.

You have to keep in mind when you are selecting hearing aid do not consider the only appearance but, also your manual agility and lifestyle needs.

Now let’s look at the different types of hearing machines in the market which will help you to decide which one is suitable for you.

Three different types of hearing aids

• Behind-the-ear(BTE): Most parts of this type of hearing aids are contained in a small plastic case that is placed behind the ear; the plastic case is connected to an earpiece by the piece of clear tubing. This style is preferred most for young children because it helps in accommodating various earmold types, which can be replaced as the child grows. Also, BTE aids can be easily maintained, cleaned. These type of hearing aids is relatively sturdy.

There are some advantages of BTE ear machines. let’s take a look at them

Advantages of BTE hearing aids

1. BTE hearing aids with thin-tubes can generally be more reasonable and invisible than custom unseen-in-canal (IIC) and totally-in-canal (CIC) hearing aids.
2. Very powerful so correct for serious hearing losses
3.  Different ear domes and earmoulds can be fitted making them correct for a variety of types of hearing losses.
4.  Dual-microphones help to enhance speech understanding in noise.
5. Wireless and telecoil options.

• In the ear(ITE): This type of hearing aid is placed completely inside the outer ear and is used for mild to severe hearing loss. The case on which the electronic components are held is made of hard plastic. Some ITE aids contain added features installed, such as a telecoil. A telecoil consists of a small magnetic coil that helps the user to receive the sounds from the circuitry of the hearing aids. This helps people to communicate better on the telephone. A telecoil also helps people to listen in public facilities where there are special sound systems, called induction loop systems. Induction loop systems are present in many churches, schools, airports, and auditoriums. ITE aids are not for young children because the casings are replaced often as the ear grows.

Advantages of ITE hearing aids

1.  Very powerful and can be proper for thoughtful hearing losses.
2.  Ideal for somebody who has limited dexterity and decreased vision.
3.  Dual-microphones help to enhance speech understanding in noise.
4.  Wireless and telecoil options
5.  expanded surface area means they are less likely.

• In the canal(ITC): In-the-canal (ITC) hearing aids are better than other hearing aids. They are constructed and carved to fit in the lower third of your external ear (cavum concha). Extraction cords can be suitable to ITC hearing aids to help inject and remove them from ITC hearing aids house a size 312 (Brown) battery. The common generation of a size 312 battery is between 5-7 days, but this can vary bet on upon the number of hours per day the hearing aid is timeworn, the severity of hearing loss and the technology level of hearing aids ear.

Advantages of  In-The-Canal(ITC) Hearing Aids

1. More advanced than their size initially suggests and typically good for mild to severe/profound hearing losses.
2. Ideal for somebody who has finite dexterity and reduced vision.
3.  Dual-microphones help to improve speech sensitive in noise.
4. Wireless and telecoil options
5. raised surface area means they are less likely to:

     – feedback  due to sound leakage

     –  work loose whilst talking and chewing, particularly if you

• Completely in the canal(CIC):. Canal aids fit completely into the ear. This type of hearing aid is used for mild to severe hearing losses.

This type of hearing aid is completely fit inside the ear and it seems that it is nearly invisible. These hearing aids come with limitations. The person having the severe hearing loss can not opt for this type of hearing aid because the amplification power of this hearing aid is quite low.

Advantages of CIC hearing aids

1. 1.  Small size and low profile
   2. More powerful than their small size originally advises and typically correct for mild to severe/profound hearing losses.
   3. The location of the microphone in the ear canal, as averse to hunting the ear, helps with:
   4. Most constructor offer CIC hearing aids with both wireless and telecoil choice, albeit they are slightly bigger in size.

Two Different Kinds of Hearing Aids In Terms Of Electronic

• Analog Hearing Aids: Analog hearing aids function is to make the continuous sound waves louder so that the person can understand. The way amplifying all sounds is quite the same. They also come with the option of programmable. They consist of a microchip which allows the aid to go for the settings programmed according to different environments for example in a quiet environment like a library, for a noisy environment like a restaurant, for an environment like a large field, etc. The analog programmable hearing aids store multiple programs for the various environments. As the listening environment changes, hearing aid settings also changes by the help of a button on the hearing aid.
• Digital Hearing Aids: Digital hearing aids function the same as the analog hearing aids or we can say that it contains all the features of the analog hearing aid. The basic difference between the two of them is that it converts the sound waves into the digital signals and produces the exact duplication of the sound. The digital signals consist of the computer programmable chip that analyzes speech and the various environmental sounds. Digital hearing aids are used for more complex sound processing. They have greater flexibility in hearing aid programming so that the sound transmitted by them can be matched to the needs for a specific pattern of hearing loss. Digital hearing aids also provide the feature of multiple program memories.

The best hearing device for you

Understanding and selecting the best hearing device is a bit difficult. Now take a look at the flowchart which will help you to decide which one is suitable for you.

We have created this flowchart to help first-time hearing aid users or individuals in the market for a new device figure out which hearing technology might be the best fit.

Flowchart

Conclusion

In the article, we have discussed the different types of hearing aids their strengths and weaknesses which will help you to decide the appropriate hearing machines for you. I will suggest you consult the audiologist who will give you the best advice to improve your hearing loss and choosing a hearing machine for you.