Choosing the Right Hearing Aid Style

Because of modern technological advancements, there is now a hearing device to suit every lifestyle and extent of hearing loss. Hearing aids are available in a variety of sizes and fitting styles – by which we mean how they attach to your ear; they also have a plethora of optional special features to personalize your hearing support and make it work perfectly for you. 

Here, we look at the main types of hearing aid and the advantages and disadvantages of each. Which one you go for depends very much on your lifestyle, level of hearing loss and personal preference. Make sure that you discuss your requirements with your audiologist who can also give advice on which one they think is the right hearing aid style for you.

Behind-the-Ear (BTE) Hearing Aids

BTE hearing aids are worn behind or on top of the outer ear and use tubing to send sound down into the ear canal by a custom-fit earmold or a dome style that does not block the entire ear canal opening. BTE styles come in a variety of colors to match your hair or skin color, as well as fancier designs for a more customized look. The majority of BTE hearing devices come with standard button batteries that must be replaced every three to 20 days. Rechargeable batteries, on the other hand, are becoming more prevalent.

BTE devices, in general, have more features, controls and battery power than any other type of hearing aid. A BTE with an earmold style is popular for children because the BTE can be reconfigured as needed and the earmold can be replaced as the child grows.

In-the-Canal (ITC) Hearing Aids

ITC hearing aids are comfortable and simple to use because they sit in the canal. They have a slightly longer battery life than some other devices and can accommodate a broader range of hearing losses. Because of their small size, they can also accommodate extra functionality such as directional microphones for greater understanding in noisy conditions and manual controls, such as a volume wheel, if wanted.

In-the-Ear (ITE) Hearing Aids

ITE aids are typically specially made and worn in the outer bowl, based on an impression taken by your audiologist during your hearing aid consultation. These styles are typically available in a variety of skin tones to match the outer ear. Some ITE hearing aids are designed to fit deep within the ear canal, while others are designed to fit nearer to the outer ear.

Smaller devices are usually better avoided if you have dexterity issues. ITE or BTE hearing aids with earmolds may be appropriate because they are the largest and easiest to handle. Furthermore, the batteries will be the larger ones, allowing for easier battery transfers. Some BTE models include rechargeable batteries that are simple to use. Finally, hearing aids with automated features should be thought about so you do not need to worry about using tiny manual controls.