Finding the right hearing aid for you
Everyone is different and so too is the fitting style of hearing aids for each person. It’s important to note that, depending on your individual style and level of hearing assistance required from your aid, the type/shape of the aid needed may vary.
Having a hearing aid that suits your needs and fits comfortably in the ear is the most important part of a healthy relationship with you and your hearing aid. There should be no compromise between comfort and sound quality.
Whatever style you choose, a good fit in the ear is essential because it allows sound to be channelled into the ear without letting any amplified sound leak out which leads to feedback (whistling).
New to hearing aids? Our audiologists are experts in hearing health and will guide you through the process of how to get the best out of your hearing aid within a short period of time.
Here we look at the different types of hearing aids and how they might feel.
Receive-in-the-canal (RIC) and Behind the ear (BTE) hearing aids
Receiver in the canal (RIC) hearing aids have a small case that sits discreetly behind the ear and contains the microphone and amplifier. A fine wire then conducts electrical signals to a speaker that fits inside the ear, where it produces the sound.
Behind the ear (BTE) aids are similar to RIC aids but the speaker does not sit inside the ear. Instead, the speaker is located in the case behind the ear, and the sound travels into a plastic tube that transmits sound into the ear canal.
RIC and BTE hearing aids are often considered to be the most comfortable as they minimise any blocked sensation with their small sound transmitters being the only element resting in the ear. Our advancements in technology mean that even glasses wearers enjoy a comfortable fit.
In the ear (ITE)
If you look at someone’s ear, you will see a bowl-shaped dipped area. This is called the concha. In the ear (ITE) aids fit the microphone, amplifier, and speaker into a custom-made shell that fits within the concha and ear canal.
ITE aids suit most types of hearing loss and may be clinically more appropriate when a CIC/invisible model does not provide sufficient amplification of sound.
This style of aid is ideal for those concerned about BTE options, but the style won’t be suitable for everyone. ITE aids can take a little time to become accustomed to, but familiarity and comfort levels do improve over a short period of time.
Completely in the canal /Invisible in the canal (CIC/IIC)
People who are looking for something smaller than ITE hearing aids may opt for completely in the canal (CIC) aids that only fill the ear canal and not the concha. They are only noticeable if you look directly at the wearer’s ear canal but are otherwise unnoticeable.
Invisible in the canal (IIC) are our smallest hearing aids and are the most discreet type of aid available. They fit deeply in the ear canal and usually have a darker colouring so that they are not easily seen. For comfort, this is similar to the ITE but they are smaller and feel less bulky when in place.
Because they fit completely in the canal, IICs are considered to be very comfortable. As with all custom fit hearing aids, they are made to fit the wearer exactly. With first use, there can be a feeling of ears feeling ‘blocked’ but less so than an ITE. Over time, this awareness of the aid will subside as the wearer gets used to their hearing aids.
If you would like to discuss the hearing aids best suited for your hearing loss and lifestyle book a free hearing test.