If you’ve started noticing difficulty hearing conversations at work or while out with friends at places like Jack’s Grill, it may be time to consider hearing aids. To find the best device for you, it’s useful to understand how hearing aids function and what distinguishes different styles.
How Hearing Aids Process Sound
Hearing aids rely on five main components to improve your hearing:
- Microphone: Captures surrounding sounds.
- Amplifier: Boosts sound volume.
- Speaker: Delivers processed sound to your ear.
- Battery: Powers the device.
- Computer Processor: Tailors sounds to your specific hearing loss needs.
The microphone picks up sounds from your environment, which the computer processor then customizes based on settings programmed by your audiologist. These processed sounds move through the amplifier to the speaker, which transmits them into the inner ear. There, they’re converted into electrical signals that are understood by the brain as sound.
Choosing the Right Hearing Aid Style
The best hearing aid style for you depends on comfort, personal preferences, and the level of your hearing loss. Here’s an overview of the most common types:
- Behind-the-Ear (BTE): This style has a plastic case that sits behind your ear and connects to a custom-fitted earmold. BTE aids are comfortable, easy to clean and well-suited for all degrees of hearing loss, though they are more visible than smaller models.
- In-the-Ear (ITE): These aids sit entirely within the outer ear and are more discreet than BTE models. They’re molded to fit the contours of your ear, offering comfort and quality sound. However, ITE aids may not be ideal for those with dexterity challenges due to their smaller size and may require frequent cleaning if prone to earwax buildup.
- In-the-Canal (ITC) or Completely-in-Canal (CIC): These models fit either partially or completely in the ear canal, making them the least noticeable. However, some people find these styles less comfortable, and because of their compact size, they have less amplification power, making them unsuitable for those with severe hearing loss.
Additional Factors to Consider
Beyond style, think about the features that will best support your lifestyle. If you often take calls and meetings at home, Bluetooth®-enabled hearing aids may allow you to stream audio directly to your device. If you enjoy outdoor activities, consider a model with wind noise reduction.
Talking through these options with your audiologist will help you find a pair of hearing aids that is best suited to your needs.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, reach out to Audiology Associates of Redding.