Types
The best hearing aid types that fit you and your needs, depending on the severity of your hearing loss, the way you live, and your manual handiness.
The categorization of hearing aids is based on the place they are worn on the body, and from how much pieces they are made of.
For example, the behind-the-ear model is made out of two pieces and in-the-ear aid is from one single piece. The smaller the aid, the fewer features it has and is more difficult to handle.
Behind-the-ear models with ear matrix are better for people with severe hearing loss, and so are in-the-ear models also. Many scientists have found that people who wear behind-the-ear models report best results, especially in loud social events and circumstances.
We prepared explanations of different models from which you can choose, together with all their services, professional evaluation, fitting, care, and prices.
Take good notice of what is included in the overall price, because usually more features mean higher prices.
Behind-the-ear
The receiver is placed inside the ear canal. There are many different names for this model: behind-the-ear (BTE), the receiver in the ear (RITE), the receiver in the canal (RIC or RITC), and canal receiver technology (CRT).
The case of it is shaped like a banana and one-piece is also inserted right into the ear canal. Behind-the-ear hearing aids are fixed to the ear via a specially made ear matric that fits tightly in the ear, or a “dome style” or non-custom canal piece.
The price of the behind-the-ear hearing aid ranges from $1,800 to almost $3,000.
The benefits and good sides are comforts and little or no visibility. It is easy to insert into the ear and gives no bad feeling to the wearer like something is plugged in. It also works well with telephones and mobile phones. They can be used immediately because they do not need to be custom made.
Some contra arguments to the behind-the-ear model are that the usage of wax and incidence of moisture can decrease the life of the receiver. Does not make any important reinforcements in the low frequencies. They cannot be intensified much.
Standard-tube or thin-tube behind-the-ear
The prices range from $1,200 to about $2,700.
They are also referred to as receiver in the aid or RITA. They provide substantial low and high-frequency intensity.
Standard-tube or thin-tube behind-the-ear are good for people with sparingly severe to severe hearing loss and who require substantial amplification across many frequencies.
Bigger models are easier to handle because controls can be simply manipulated and telecoil mode is easily selected and used. Ear matrix or shape can be easily cleaned. Larger batteries are put in the device, so they are much easier to handle.
The custom made ear matrix is often visible by other people, so it is a downside. Sweat and wax build-ups disturb the device. There is also a disturbing feeling of something being plugged in the ear.
Completely in the canal
A completely-in-the-canal hearing aid is molded to fit inside your ear canal. It improves mild to moderate hearing loss in adults.
This device is not so visible to other people. It is easy for usage, that is, you can insert or remove it from the ear with no great difficulty.
An interesting fact is its insensitivity to wind noises. The price of a completely in the canal hearing aid goes from $1,300 to nearly 3,000$.
On the other side, they are too small to have a directional microphone. The device must be vented in order for people not to have an unpleasant feeling of something plugged up in their ear.
Like many other devices, this one is insensitive to wax and moisture. It is difficult to control the receiver because it is placed in the ear canal. The battery that goes into the device is very small so it lasts relatively short and needs to be exchanged very often. Also, the insertion and removal of batteries can be very difficult.
In the canal
An in-the-canal (ITC) hearing aid is custom molded and fits partly in the ear canal. This style can improve mild to moderate hearing loss in adults.
In the canal hearing device is barely visible and easy to insert. It can build up the volume control to increase ease of use. Bigger devices can include directional microphones. Same issues as with completely-in-the-canal models, though less severe.
The telecoil selector switch makes manipulation more difficult. These models are susceptible to moisture and wax buildup. The battery tends to be smaller, so battery life is relatively short.
They are the smallest hearing aids available and offer cosmetic and some listening advantages. However, their small size may make them difficult to handle and adjust for some people.
The price ranges from $1,300 to almost $3,000.
In the ear
An in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aid is custom made in two styles — one that fills most of the bowl-shaped area of your outer ear (full shell) and one that fills only the lower part (half shell). Both are helpful for people with mild to severe hearing loss.
In the ear hearing device offers more room for features such as the telecoil, directional microphone, and volume control.
They give less of a plugged-up feeling when vented. One of the benefits of this device is its relatively easy way to be inserted.
They are more visible to other people. In the ear, devices are also sensitive to wax build-ups and moisture.
Its price goes from $1,200 to $2,700.