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The Hearing Aid Type That is Right For You
Behind-The-Ear (BTE’s) Hearing Aids
BTE hearing aids have all the electronics housed in a case behind the ear. This is then connected to some tubing, and dome or mould that directs the sound to the ear. These hearing aids are a good option for people who need something powerful because they have a big hearing loss. They can also be good for people who have trouble cleaning their hearing aids or are prone to getting lots of wax or moisture in their ears. These hearing aids are often bigger in size and consequently they can fit all the features available in the case including telecoils and connectivity technology. These hearing aids are available in both rechargeable and non-rechargeable options depending on the brand.
Receiver in Canal (RIC) Hearing Aids
RIC hearing aids have most of the electronics behind the ear, but the receiver (speaker) sits in the ear. The two are connected by a coated wire. This style tends to be quite popular because it suits a wide range of hearing losses while still being quite discreet. They are available in a range of technology and sizes. The smaller RIC hearing aids may sacrifice some technology – such as access to a telecoil – to keep the device small. Other models have all the technology in them. As RIC’s are quite popular, often new technology is initially released in this style of hearing aid. These hearing aids are often available in both rechargeable and non-rechargeable options depending on the brand.
In-The-Ear (ITE) Hearing Aids
ITE hearing aids contain all the electronics in a case that sits within the ear itself. Within ITE hearing aids there are a range of sizes from true ITE aids that fill up all the ear, through to In-The-Canal (ITC’s) aids which fill up less of the ear, Completely-In-The-Canal (CIC’s) aids and finally Invisible-In-Canal (IIC) hearing aids which sit deep in the ear canal so they cannot be seen.
ITE hearing aids are available in a variety of technologies. However, some of the smaller ones such as CIC’s may not contain certain technology features – such as wireless functionality – so it is important to discuss the features that are important to you with our team at Hearing Aid Specialists SA so we can ensure all your needs are met. While ITE hearing aids do require more diligence in cleaning the aids, some clients find ITE’s easier to manage as there is only a single part to the hearing aid – but everyone is different so it will depend on your individual needs as to whether this is the case for you. ITE hearing aids also offer the advantage of not having any components behind the ear which can be useful if you are also wearing glasses or masks. ITE hearing aids have traditionally been available only in non-rechargeable options. However, this is changing with more brands now offering rechargeable versions. The rechargeable versions tend to be in the ITE and ITC models as they need to be large enough to contain the rechargeable battery.
Hearing Aid Specialists SA offers all these types of hearing aids available so regardless of your hearing loss or communication needs, we have the option you need. Our team at Hearing Aid Specialists SA understand the importance of choosing the right type of hearing aid for your individual needs and will work with you to ensure this happens.
To discuss the best hearing aid type for your needs contact us today.