Hearing Aid Styles
Hearing aids play a crucial role in managing hearing loss. They can significantly enhance a person’s ability to hear, thereby uplifting their quality of life. However, the effectiveness of these devices largely depends on getting a well-fitted hearing aid that has been accurately programmed by a proficient audiologist. If not, they may fail to deliver optimal results. Ill-fitted hearing aids can cause discomfort and issues related to feedback or sound quality. Furthermore, if they’re inadequately programmed, they might not effectively amplify sounds or filter out unnecessary background noise. Therefore, it is recommended to consult a professional audiologist to ensure you get the most suitable hearing aids that are correctly fitted and programmed.
Emphasizing Best Practices
The significance of following best practices during hearing aid fitting is paramount. A comprehensive evaluation and real ear measurement fitting by an audiologist are vital to guarantee that the hearing aid fits perfectly and provides the desired hearing enhancement. Skipping these steps could result in an unfitting device or malfunctioning hearing aid, potentially leading to more complications in the future.
Exploring Various Hearing Aids
Primarily, there are three types of hearing aids: Behind the Ear (BTE), Receiver in the Canal (RIC), and Custom Hearing Aids. BTEs are usually the largest type, fitting behind the ear. RICs are smaller than BTEs and fit inside the ear canal. Custom hearing aids are tailor-made to fit the unique shape of your ear and can be either in-the-ear (ITE), in-the-canal (ITC) or completely-in-the-canal (CIC).
BTE hearing aids come with a plastic case that sits behind the ear and a tube system that extends from the case into the ear canal. A small microphone in the case picks up sound waves and converts them into electrical signals. These signals are then amplified by a tiny speaker in the device and transmitted to an ear mold through a transparent tube.
RIC hearing aids also feature a small microphone that captures sound waves and converts them into electrical signals. However, instead of a plastic case, RICs house a receiver (a small speaker) inside the ear canal. The receiver is linked to the external environment by thin wires running along the ear’s surface.
Custom Hearing Aids are individually crafted based on an ear impression or a 3D scan of the ear. An instrument is then created for the user.
Each type of hearing aid has its own set of pros and cons, and the best choice varies from patient to patient, depending on their specific needs and level of hearing loss. To understand which type would be ideal for you, schedule a hearing evaluation with us and we will guide you in choosing the most suitable device for your requirements.