When people talk about invisible hearing aids, they are usually referring to invisible-in-canal (IIC) hearing aids. These IIC hearing aids are different from your traditional behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids as they are nestled deep into your ear canal and are not easily visible. Hearing aid technology has come a long way since the initial bulky behind-the-ear models. Today’s invisible hearing aids are discreet, comfortable and much more customizable than before. Most hearing aids have transitioned from using analog technology to using digital, which means that they’re much more powerful and have more capabilities than previous models.
Why You Should Consider Invisible Hearing Aids.
1. Appearance
Many individuals consider the appearance of hearing aids as a major factor in deciding whether or not to find treatment for their hearing loss. They are great since they are small enough to sit deeply into the ear canal, which makes them virtually unnoticeable. Many individuals mention that negative social stigma is one of the main reasons they do not purchase or wear hearing aids.
2. Natural Feel
They will tend to have a natural feel since they need to be custom-made to fit the shape of your ear. We recommend reaching out to your hearing healthcare professional to get fitted for your invisible hearing aids.
3. Powerful Technology
Despite their size, they are packed with state-of-the-art technology and are effective in allowing you to hear more of the sounds around you. IIC hearing aids are also placed much closer to the ear canal than other hearing aids. This means that they don’t require as much battery usage or sound output in order to reach the same loudness for the listener.
Differences Between Invisible Hearing Aids and Behind The Ear Hearing Aids
1. Intended for Mild to Moderate Hearing Loss
One of the downsides is they can only help individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss. Due to their small size, hearing aid manufacturers are unable to fit stronger computer chips and powerful speakers to accommodate individuals with severe hearing loss.
2. Limited Features
As a result of their small size, they may lack some of the more advanced features like the computer chips and speakers that can be found in the other hearing aids. However, the most notable feature not found in IIC hearing aids is directional microphones. Without directional microphones, it prevents users from being able to listen to a person in front of them. This is because directional microphones help to reduce background noise at the user’s sides and back. Therefore, it could make it difficult to hold conversations in busy or crowded environments.
3. Sizing Makes A Difference
Although they are already small to begin with, there are some individuals who either have too small of an ear canal or are shaped in a way that makes it difficult to fit properly.
List of Popular Invisible Hearing Aids
Now that we’ve shared with you some general information about them, here is a list of some of the most popular ones.
Although there will be some tradeoffs between choosing an invisible hearing aid over other types of hearing aids. It’s more important to figure out what fits best for your hearing. Some of the things that should be taken into consideration is the specific type of hearing loss you have and the environments where you spend most of your time. We recommend reaching out to your hearing healthcare professional to learn more and we also want to recommend taking a look at our Bluetooth Hearing Aids Article.
AudioCardio is a technology company focused on hearing health and wellness. Learn how AudioCardio can help maintain and strengthen your hearing with your favorite headphones or hearing aids at www.audiocardio.com.
