Types of hearing aids

 Types of hearing aids

Nowadays new technology is developing in digital hearing aids. Digital technology has enabled companies to manufacture small hearing aids. Easy fitting and features for the users enhance the use of Hearing aids. The use of hearing aids is important for people suffering from hearing loss. In this article, we will learn about the different types of Hearing aids.

What are the types of hearing aids?

In modern times, hearing aids have evolved from large sizes to small ones. In this article, we will not be talking about Body Worn or Pocket Model Hearing aids. These types of hearing aids are almost obsolete nowadays. No reputed company now manufactures this type of hearing aid. As per the latest reports, now the production of this type of hearing aid has stopped. The cost of hearing aids is one of the reasons people use pocket models because they are very economical to buy and maintain.

Let us know what are the different types of Hearing aids?

The following types of Hearing aids are available.

Behind the Ear Hearing Aid

Open Fit Hearing Aid

Receiver in canal or RIC Hearing aids. Also called Receiver in the Ear Hearing Aid (RIC Hearing Aid)

ITE or In the Ear Hearing Aid

ITC or In the Canal Hearing Aid

CIC or completely in Canal Hearing Aid

Invisible in the Canal or IIC Hearing Aid

Bone Conduction Hearing Aid

Cross and BiCross Hearing Aid

1. Behind the Ear or BTE Hearing Aid

                                                    Behind the Ear or BTE Hearing Aids

  As the name suggests, these types of hearing aids fit behind the ear. The shape and design of the body of the Hearing aid is according to the size of our ear. A transparent silicone tube carries the signal or sound from the hearing aid to the ear canal.

What are the advantages of BTE Hearing aids?

Due to the larger size of this type of hearing aid, it can deliver higher sound output. Larger internal components such as receivers can provide higher sound output. It is suitable for people suffering from Severe to Profound Hearing loss.

This type of hearing aid is suitable for elderly people with unstable hands. The buttons and battery ( 13/675 ) are also larger in size. They can remove and install the hearing aid themselves.

The battery lasts longer, making it economical.

Repair and servicing are economical.

These types of hearing aids do not break easily. The material of (shell or body) is ABS plastic (Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) which is very strong.

2. Open Fit Hearing Aid

These types of hearing aids look very similar to the traditional BTE. The only difference is that the tip that goes into the ear is not completely sealed. In traditional hearing aids, the tip is completely sealed or closed. Such types of hearing aids are mainly meant for people suffering from high frequency.

What are the advantages of Open Fit Hearing Aids?

This is the frequency suitable for people suffering from hearing loss.

This machine is small in size and light in weight as it is mostly meant for mild and moderate hearing loss.

In this type of hearing aid, the silicone tube from the machine to the ear canal is very thin.

Open fit design gives very natural sound hearing.

The sound is not echoed due to the open tip.

Since the tip of the ear is partially open, it does not allow the ear to feel blocked.

3.Receiver in Canal RIC Hearing Aid (RIC or Receiver in Canal Hearing Aid)

                  RIC Hearing aids

This type of Hearing aids belong to the next generation of BTE. In a traditional BTE, all are in the same plastic shell or shell. The transparent silicone tube transmits the sound signal from the machine to the ear. In RIC type hearing aids, the receiver fits into the ear. Thin wires connect the receiver to the hearing aid. This type of hearing aid is also known as RITE (Receiver in the Ear) hearing aid or receiver in canal.

 What are the advantages of Receiver In Canal or RIC Hearing Aids type?

This hearing aid is small in size. In this type the receiver is outside the body of the hearing aid and can be easily hidden behind the ear.

Requires less battery power to deliver higher sound output. Since in this type the receiver is closer to the ear drum.

The receiver can be scaled from low to medium and medium to high. This can be done by buying a new receiver and there is no need to buy a new hearing aid.

The receiver can be replaced without sending it to the service center.

4. ITE or In The Ear Hearing Aids

This type of hearing aid is commonly referred to as an in-ear hearing aid. It is much smaller than a BTE and sits or fits inside the ear.

The types of this Hearing aid are given below:

ITE Hearing Aid ( In the Ear Hearing Aid)

This type of hearing aid fits into the concha or the outer part of the ear. The major advantage of this type of hearing aid is that it can provide higher sound output. Since these hearing aids are larger in size, it is possible to use components with more power.

ITC Hearing Aid ( In The Canal Hearing Aid)

ITE Hearing aids are smaller in size than ITC. These types of hearing aids use smaller components. Since the hearing aid is small in size, it is easy to insert most of it inside the canal. This has the advantage that only a very small part of the Hearing aid is visible on the outside.

CIC Hearing Aid ( Completely in Canal Hearing Aid)

This type of hearing aid is smaller than ITC. We can insert almost the entire hearing aid into the ear canal. Its advantage is that the machine is almost non-existent.

IIC Hearing Aid ( Invisible in Canal Hearing Aid)

Adarish Hearing Aid

These types of Hearing aids are the latest in the ear category. This hearing aid is so small that it fits into the depth of the ear canal. It almost touches the eardrum. Its advantage is that it is completely non-dish. It is not visible even when looked closely.

5. Bone Conduction Hearing Aidsn

 bone conduction hearing aid

This type of hearing aid is suitable for people suffering from Conductive Hearing Loss. This type of machine is also suitable for people suffering from Mixed Hearing loss. Bone conduction hearing aids help people who cannot hear with traditional hearing aids. Hearing aids convert speech into mechanical vibrations. Our inner ear takes vibrations from the skull. The advantage to this type of hearing aid is that they are fitted with reading glasses. The hearing aid circuit is fitted in the hood of the glasses.

6. BiCROS and CROS Hearing Aids

CROS stands for Contralateral Routing of Signals. In simple words, it means that the sound is picked up from one side and transferred to the other. This type of hearing aid is suitable for those people who have complete deafness or single sided deafness in one ear.

Hearing aids picks up sound from the side that is completely closed. It transmits the sound to the other ear or better ear. Its advantage is that the person does not miss hearing the sound in any way. Even if someone is speaking from the completely deaf side.

Hearing aid technology is advancing rapidly. Manufacturers are offering features that are very user friendly. There are a variety of hearing aids available to suit your style and budget. Hearing aids should be used in case of deafness. Not using a hearing aid leads to self-isolation, loss of self-esteem.

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