Choosing The Right Hearing Aid 

When it comes to choosing a hearing aid or understanding what hearing aid maybe best for you, there a few things that need to be considered. In this article we aim to guide you through the process understanding the styles of hearing aids and how they benefit the user. It is a common question most people ask when they think about hearing aids and that is 'which one is right for me?'.

The answer to that question is not always as simple as picking one you like the look of. There are many factors involved in choosing the correct hearing aid and these factors vary between each user. No one hearing loss and ear is the same, so we should not expect our hearing aid choice to be. Some of the factors that are considered when choosing a hearing product are:

  • Cosmetics - The style of the hearing aid. Do you care about the size? Is discretion key?

  • Hearing Loss - Some hearing aids are more suited to certain hearing loss types than others. For example, those with a profound hearing loss will likely need a bigger, more powerful hearing aids.

  • Budget - Certain hearing aid styles cost more than others. Are you prepared to pay extra for those? Is it necessary to have it? What budget do you have in order move forward with hearing aids?

  • Technology - Some hearing aids have more technology in them than others. Certain hearing aid styles can limit the amount of technology in them. What technology is right for you? What features are you looking for? For example, invisible in canal hearing aids won’t have bluetooth. Is that something you want?

  • Lifestyle - Are you active? Do you exercise regularly? Do you still work? Assessing your lifestyle with your audiologist enables you to make an informed decision about the correct hearing aid for your needs. This may be budget it may be premium. What do you want a hearing aid for?

  • Dexterity - Certain hearing aids are smaller than others and require small batteries, parts etc. Are you able to manage the hearing aids that you want? Are you happy to change the batteries weekly? A discussion with your audiologist will help but this needs to be considered.

Luckily, there are plenty of hearing aids from all the manufacturers, that come in a range of different styles to suit your needs. As UK-Hearing are fully independent and impartial we are always happy to discuss these options before passing you to your local audiologist. Technology has come a long way over the last 10 years, and we can appreciate it can be a little confusing knowing which way to turn. Gone are the days of big, chunky, cumbersome hearing aids. The digital technology on today’s market is small, discreet and highly advanced. For any information on the above please contact us on 0800 368 9011.

Opn™ Technology | Oticon Professionals

Hearing Aid Styles

Below we will go through each particular style of hearing aid, with an example of what they look like and an explanation on how they fit in your ear, or behind your ear. We hope this give you more of an idea as to what hearing aids look like and which one may be the best style for you.

Receiver in Canal (RIC/RITE)

Starting off with the most popular model, commonly worn by users of private hearing aids. Receiver in Canal hearing aids are small discreet and sit behind your ear, around about where the ear hook for glasses sit. They have some of the most advanced technology on the market and the good news here is that very often contain all the top qualities and features such as bluetooth, wireless functionality, rechargeability etc. A Receiver in Canal product is comprised of the hearing aid behind your ear and a receiver wire that sits in your ear canal. The microphones are on the hearing aid and the speaker is in your ear. They are popular amongst many professional audiologists due to the fact they provide a more open sound quality as, instead of using an ear mould or custom tip, receiver in canal hearing aids use a soft silicone dome. This provides a comfortable fit and sound quality. (Please bear in mind this applies only if you have the correct hearing loss, some more severe to profound losses may still require a custom tip or mould for better sound quality)

Please see our Top 5 Recommended Hearing Aids for 2020 for more info on what we think are the best products currently on the market.


Complete In Canal (CIC)

Quite possibly the second most popular choice for hearing aid users is the Complete in Canal (CIC) hearing aids. As they suggest the entire hearing aid sits in the canal of your ear, meaning its very discreet and manageable to use. Your audiologist takes what is called an impression of your ear using a silicone-based material. From here it is sent to the manufacturer to be custom made into a hearing aid, specifically to fit your ear. Comfort is maximised here and there is less chance of not quite getting it in right, or it feeling itchy and uncomfortable in your ear. Please bear in mind however that due to their very small size they don’t have the same features as the behind the ear or larger custom models, such as rechargeability and bluetooth connectivity. The manufacturers are constantly developing their technology, so we expect to see this change in the near future.

Please see our Top 5 Recommended Hearing Aids for 2020 for more info on what we think are the best products currently on the market.


Invisible in Canal (IIC)

The smallest hearing aids on the market. They fit in the ear and for all intents and purposes are invisible when worn. Similar to the CIC a deep impression is taken of your ear to achieve the true invisibility. This allows the manufacturers to pack the technology in whilst keeping the hearing aid invisible to wear. (Please bear in mind not everyone is suitable for an Invisible in Canal product. You must have to right shape and size ear and also the correct hearing loss for fit, ie not severe or profound). Other features also aren’t included such as rechargeability and bluetooth technology. Wireless can be but please bear in mind this will make the hearing aid slightly bigger.

Please see our Top 5 Recommended Hearing Aids for 2020 for more info on what we think are the best products currently on the market.


In the Canal (ITC)

In the Canal hearing aids are becoming extremely popular due to the fact manufacturers are now releasing rechargeability, meaning for the first time you can have a rechargeable in your ear hearing aid. Slightly bigger than a Complete in Canal (CIC) they still require an impression of your ear to be taken. Quite often they will suit more ranges of hearing loss and contain almost all the features and functionality you would receive in a RIC product.

Please see our Top 5 Recommended Hearing Aids for 2020 for more info on what we think are the best products currently on the market.

 

In the Ear (ITE)

Otherwise known as a full shell hearing aid, In The Ear (ITE) products usually cater for those with poor dexterity and severe to profound hearing loss. They contain all the features and functions of a behind the ear product but are simpler to put in the ear. These also require an impression to be taken. They are the largest in the custom family but very often come with a push button and volume control facility for easy use. They also can have maximum power output to achieve the very highest levels of volume and clarity for those who need it.

Please see our Top 5 Recommended Hearing Aids for 2020 for more info on what we think are the best products currently on the market.


Behind the Ear (BTE)

Like the Full shell the Behind the Ear (BTE) hearing aids are mostly for those users who require more power for sever to profound hearing loss. A BTE hearing aid uses a slim tube or normal tube with a mould or tip that goes in your ear. They are often the most seen product because they are available on the NHS, however privately they can be much smaller and a lot more advanced. The technology in BTE hearing products is the same as you will receive in RIC hearing aids, such as: Rechargeability, wireless connection, bluetooth streaming etc. Those who need the extra power no longer have to sacrifice cosmetics.

Please see our Top 5 Recommended Hearing Aids for 2020 for more info on what we think are the best products currently on the market.

 

Superpower Behind the Ear (SBTE)

The Superpower Behind the Ear (SBTE) is designed specifically for those users with profound hearing loss that require large amounts of volume whilst still trying to maximise clarity. The superpower BTE market has vastly improved over the years meaning users can get better, clearer hearing with minimum feedback or whistling, (usually requiring an ear mould). Superpower BTE hearing aids use a thick wall tube and mould normally, although a normal tube can be used. This is to maximise sound input into the ear. They also tend to be slightly larger than the BTE models.

Please see our Top 5 Recommended Hearing Aids for 2020 for more info on what we think are the best products currently on the market.