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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. |
