What Hearing Aids are Right for You?

If you’ve been struggling to hear your best lately, chances are you’ve visited a hearing health professional to determine what degree of hearing loss you may be experiencing. Your professional will test your hearing ability and recommend treatment if needed. The most common option will be a hearing aid, which comes in a plethora of styles. Designs can be chosen based on a variety of different factors, from your hearing needs to your aesthetic preferences. The hearing health professional will work with you to help you narrow down all the options and select the most suitable device for your needs. First, it’s important to consider some of the hearing aid functionalities you may wish for. This could include:

• Noise reduction: This is a common feature, but the intensity of noise reduction can vary, such as some offering wind noise reduction.
• Directional microphones can help you pick out particular sounds in busy environments.
• Wireless functionalities: Some may function with Bluetooth-compatible devices.
• Dual synchronization for simpler control.
• Direct audio inputs.
• Remote controls.

Some may offer a multitude of features, some may only offer a few. It’s important to consider which features are important to you and which you’re willing to pay for.

Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids

BTE hearing aids are worn behind the ear and connect to a receiver that sits in the opening of the ear. This allows for the ear canal to be left relatively unimpeded, which can help low-frequency sounds enter while high-frequency sounds are intensified by the device. They are the most visible hearing aids, and don’t plug in the ear so they don’t give you that strange feeling of vocal feedback you may get from other models.

In-the-canal (ITC) devices

The ITC is molded to the shape of your air and will fit in the ear canal. This is mostly situated behind the ear, so it’s less visible than the option above. It can include certain additional features due to not being located within the actual ear completely, but it’s smaller than other variants. It is possible to have this blocked up with ear wax, however, so careful maintenance is needed.

In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids

ITE hearing aids come in two varieties, full and half shell. These devices are worn in the bowl of the ear and are suitable for individuals with mild-to-moderately-severe hearing loss. ITE devices are a popular option because they are medium-size, allowing them to be handled easily and equipped with multiple features, providing the wearer with the most personalized experience. When deciding what hearing aid is best for you, it’s important to consider a variety of factors, from your budget to the most beneficial features. Your hearing healthcare provider will work with you each step of the way to ensure you find a device that helps immerse you in the world oof healthy hearing again.