Today there is a wide variety of hearing aids with models more or less suitable according to your level of deafness. With so many options available, chances are, you’ll find a hearing solution that suits your needs. These solutions should be able to help you maintain your quality of life and address your hearing needs. The type of hearing aid is primarily determined by the degree of deafness of the patient. However, other criteria such as robustness, discretion, battery life, or ease of handling may be considered.
In this blog, we will share the three categories of hearing aids along with the characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages of each.
1. Behind-The-Ear Hearing Aids (BTE)
The behind-the-ear devices are the most popular and efficient today. They are placed behind the pinna of the ear and consist of a tube connected to a tip that is housed in your ear canal.
BTE hooks have an external case, the size of which will vary depending on the technology it contains, and therefore the power level of the model. They are suitable for all types of hearing loss (mild to profound), but they are mainly recommended for people with severe and profound hearing loss. Indeed, there are now many more discreet and just as powerful devices, which are more suitable for lower levels of deafness.
Advantages
- The BTE contours offer sufficient amplification power to match the most significant hearing losses and present them with the most optimal listening experience.
- It is also suitable for people with a small ear canal.
- Usually battery-powered, this type of device generally offers better battery life than other types of hearing aids.
- They are also larger and easier to handle.
- The ear is also more resistant to water and earwax.
Disadvantages
- The ear contours are bulkier than other types of devices. Because of their visibility, wearing this type of device makes it very difficult for users to hide their hearing condition.
2. In-Ear Hearing Aids (CIC, ITC, IIC)
In-ear hearing aids consist of a shell made to measure your hearing care professional from the impression of your ear. All the device’s technology is inside the shell, which fits directly into the ear canal. There is, therefore, no tube or external box. These types of hearing aids offer the best possible discretion and are not easily noticeable.
Due to their discretion, in-ear hearing aids are among the most popular hearing aid models being sold today. However, they are not suitable for all patients with varying degrees of hearing loss. In fact, due to the limited space of the shell, the power of these devices is generally limited, and therefore more suitable for mild to moderate hearing losses.
Depending on the size of your ear canal, your in-ear hearing aids will be more or less powerful. They may also integrate a wireless communication antenna allowing the use of a remote control setting, distance, a Bluetooth module, or even a TV receiver.
Advantages
- It is perfect for mild hearing loss.
- It is comfortable, and the adaptation is quick.
- It’s small and much more discrete compared to BTE hearing aids.
Disadvantages
- Due to its small size, some of the features that you find in BTE hearing aids aren’t found in these in-ear hearing aids.
- The size of the battery is smaller in these devices, which means that they need to be charged more often.
- The volume output may not be as strong as BTE hearing aids.
3. Mini BTE Hearing Aids (RIC / CO)
Mini-behind-the-ear hearing aids are the ideal compromise between the traditional behind-the-ear and the in-ear hearing aid. It is more discreet than BTE contours, they have better autonomy than in-ear devices, and adapts to a wide range of hearing losses (mild to severe). In addition, the placement of the earpiece in the ear reproduces more natural listening experiences and better acoustics.
The micro-contours chip is located in a small box placed behind the ear’s pinna. Sound can then be conducted in two ways:
- If it is a micro-contour with a connected earpiece (RIC), the earpiece (or “loudspeaker”) is housed in the ear canal and is held by a silicone cannula or a micro tip.
- If it is an open micro-contours (CO) earpiece, the earpiece is located at the outlet of the box. The sound is then conducted into the ear through a thin tube. The end of the tube can be adapted to a standard silicone cannula or a custom-made micro-tip.
Advantages
- The mini BTE contours offer sufficient amplification power to match the most significant hearing losses and present them with an optimal listening experience.
- It is also suitable for people with a small ear canal.
- Usually battery-powered, this type of device generally offers better battery life than most types of hearing aids.
- They are easier to handle than in ear devices.
- The ear loop is also more resistant to water and earwax.
Disadvantages
- The mini BTE devices are still visible and are not as discrete as the in-ear hearing devices.
- It may not be able to pick up on low frequencies consistently.
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AudioCardio™ is a mobile app that delivers an evidence-based sound therapy designed to maintain and strengthen your hearing by stimulating the cells inside your ear just below the audible level. It’s a passive exercise to help you recognize familiar sounds, communicate better, and enhance your hearing aid experience. It’s like physical therapy for your hearing.
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.
