What Are the Main Types of Hearing Aid?

Approximately 13% of Americans have hearing loss in both ears. Some of the most common causes include noise exposure, damage to the ear, and aging.

While most cases aren’t curable, there are treatments that can help. For example, your doctor may recommend surgery if you have severe or profound hearing loss. 

Hearing aids are another option.

Thinking of getting some? Want to learn more about the different types of hearing aid? If so, you’ve stumbled on the right page. Keep reading for everything that you need to know!

1. Behind-the-Ear Hearing Aid

Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids are the most common type. They consist of two parts: a plastic dome that sits behind or on the ear and tubing that connects to a plastic earmold inside the outer ear.

One of their biggest advantages is their versatility. That is, they can help with almost all kinds of hearing loss. They’re also easy to maintain as they can be removed quickly and are less fragile than other types.

The only drawback is that they’re prone to picking up external noises like the wind. They’re also more visible compared to other types of hearing aids.

2. Receiver-in-Canal Hearing Aid

Receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aids are similar to BTE devices in terms of appearance. The former, however, contains a speaker or receiver that goes into the ear canal; this allows low-frequency sounds to enter the ear naturally.

RIC devices also tend to be smaller. This makes them a good option for those who feel self-conscious about wearing a hearing aid.

The receiver end, however, is vulnerable to ear moisture. Its small size also means that it can take an individual some time to realize that their hearing aid is missing.

3. In-the-Ear Hearing Aid

In-the-ear hearing aids are worn inside the ear canal, which makes them very discreet. There are two styles that you can get from a hearing test centre: one that fills only the lower part of the ear and one that fills most of the outer ear.

Not only are they comfortable to wear, but most also come with features such as volume control and feedback reduction. Some even come with Bluetooth connectivity. For example, you can connect them to your computer or smartphone.

Like RIC devices, however, they’re susceptible to ear wax and moisture damage. The battery will also need to be changed more frequently due to its small size. And since they’re custom-made, they tend to be more expensive.

Understanding the Different Types of Hearing Aid

And there you have it—three types of hearing aid, each of which has its own pros and cons. For those who are interested, talk to an audiologist; they’ll be able to fit you with the right device. HearCare Audiology’s team of experts can provide support with your hearing aids.

If you liked this post, you’ll be happy to know that we have more articles like this in the health section of our blog. Check it out today!