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SELECTING HEARING AIDS
There are 2 main decisions when choosing hearing
aids:
- What style, or size of hearing aids, will suit
you best?
- What level of technology will give you the
options you need?
There are 6 different hearing aid styles. Each
offers different advantages and disadvantages. Some of the styles will work
better for certain types of losses. Below you will see a description and
pictures of each of these styles.
HEARING AID STYLES
- Completely-in-the-Canal (CIC)
Completely-in-the-Canal hearing aids are the least visible aids that sit in the ear canal . They fit deep
in your ear canal and have a small wire used to remove them. Most patients have
no problems talking on the phone with these aids. Because they fit deeper in
your ear they can give some people a stuffed-up, full feeling. They also tend
to require the most maintenance and repairs because they are exposed to more
wax with the deeper fit. Volume controls and directional microphones are not
available on this style. These aids can also be more difficult to handle for
people with poor dexterity due to the small size.
- In-the-Canal (ITC)
In-the-Canal
hearing aids are still small, but sit just outside the ear canal. All features
and controls are available on this style.
- In-the-Ear (ITE)
In-the-Ear aids
fill up most of the bowl-like area of your ear. They are usually the easiest
aids to handle for people with poor dexterity.
- Behind-the-Ear (BTE)
Behind-the-Ear
aids fit over your ear and are connected to a mold that fits in your ear. Some
people find this soft mold more comfortable than the hard plastic of the
in-the-ear styles. These aids have the fewest repairs due to wax, but are more
susceptible to moisture damage. They offer the strongest amplification
possible. These aids can be more difficult to insert because there are two
parts to get in place.
- Open Fit Behind the Ear (Open BTE)
Open Fit
Behind the Ear aids have a smaller, thinner behind-the-ear piece and a nearly
invisible thin tube that fits down in the ear canal. A soft tip leaves your ear
canal more open, which keeps you from feeling plugged up. These aids are ideal
for high frequency hearing loss. They do not require a custom impression and
are very easy to keep clean. They are more susceptible to moisture just like a
traditional BTE. The thin tubing makes insertion difficult for people with poor
dexterity.
- Receiver-In-the Canal (RIC)
Receiver-In-the Canal aids are very similar to Open BTEs. They have the same advantages of being nearly invisible and very comfortable. They can typically work for more severe losses than Open BTEs because the receiver is located in the tube that sits in the ear canal. Because of this they are more at risk for wax damage, however. They are also easily damaged by moisture.
Most of these hearing aid styles are available in
various levels of technology, each having different options. The following
offers an explanation of some of the different options you will want to become
familiar with. At your hearing aid evaluation the audiologist will help you
determine which options are most important for you.
Automatic or
Manual Controls
The first thing to consider is if you want the volume and other
settings to be controlled automatically or manually. While most people prefer
their hearing aids to be automatic, there can be cases where users prefer to
have the ability to control the aids themselves. This can be done with controls located on the hearing aids, or with an optional remote control.
Directional
Microphones
If you find yourself in a variety of listening situations
you will want to consider directional microphones. This technology cannot
eliminate all unwanted noise, but it gives the listener an advantage by
amplifying more from the front and less from behind.
Multiple Listening Programs
For people who are in many different environments it may be beneficial to have multiple listening programs. For example, you could have special programs for music or outdoors, in addition to your regular listening program.
Channels
When the audiologist programs the hearing aids for your loss, there will
be a certain number of channels that can be adjusted based on your hearing
test. Basic technology will have fewer channels to adjust than more advanced
aids. Generally, the more channels the hearing aids have, the more adjustments
the audiologist will be able to make. When the microphone brings the sound into
the hearing aid it is analyzed in each of the channels. More channels allow for
better and more precise processing of the sound.
Data
Collection and Learning
Many hearing aids now have the ability to record user
information. This can include how many hours per day the hearing aids are worn
and what percentage of time the aids are worn in quiet or noise. This
information can help the audiologist tailor the settings to your hearing loss.
Some hearing aids even track how much the user turns the volume up or down and
then change the internal settings accordingly. This may mean less visits back
to the office for adjustments.
Control for Sudden Loud Sounds
A common complaint among hearing aid wearers is that sudden loud sounds are very harsh through hearing aids. This might include sounds from silverware or a door slamming. Some hearing aids have specific noise suppression for these types of sounds. This works to tone these sounds down so that you hear them, but are not bothered by them.
Wireless Features
Some hearing aids now have built in wireless features that allow the two hearing aids to communicate between each other. This is designed to let two hearing aids function more as one unit, like our real ears, and less like two separate devices. This feature synchronizes the processing between aids for the best possible sound quality and localization. It also allows you to use one control to adjust the settings on both aids.
Telephone Settings
Some
hearing aids offer a telecoil that works to amplify the sound of the phone.
This can be operated either with a push button or sometimes automatically. The
audiologist will discuss your needs for the telephone.
Bluetooth Options
One of the fastest growing areas of hearing aid technology involves Bluetooth technology. More and more options are coming available to pair your hearing aids with Bluetooth devices. Sound can come from your Bluetooth enabled phone directly into your hearing aids. Other audio devices can be connected as well, including televisions, computers and MP3 players.
Rechargeable Batteries
Some hearing aids are now available with rechargeable batteries. Each night the hearing aids are placed into a charging device. This can be helpful for people who have difficulty changing the small batteries due to poor dexterity. Many people also feel it is a more environmentally friendly option.
In
addition to these features, almost all hearing aids now have some sort of
feedback cancellation, wind noise reduction and basic noise suppression. Technology is constantly
improving and new features are always being developed. At the hearing aid
evaluation we will discuss the current options that are important for your
hearing. |
