There are many different styles of hearing aids. This article will look at more styles; particularly those are placed outside the ear canal and are highly robust.
Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids
BTE hearing aids may be the most stereotypical of all of the hearing aid designs. This design was prominent for decades until more advanced technology made the hearing aids small and more compact. BTE hearing aids hook over the top of your ear and rest behind it. There is then a tube that connects the hearing aid to an earpiece inside of your ear canal. This earpiece is called an earmold. BTE hearing aids are recommended for just about anyone, regardless of their age and type of hearing loss.
BTE hearing aids will usually be the largest type of hearing aids that you’ll encounter. The size is both positive and negative. On the plus side, the large size means that the BTE hearing aid is able to amplify more sounds than other hearing aids. Conversely, though, the large size means that more wind noise is also amplified, which could lead to hearing constant background noise.
Receiver-in-the-canal (RIC) and receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) hearing aids
Both the RIC and the RITE hearing aids are similar in design, and so are usually referred to together. They are also similar to the larger BTE hearing aids in that a speaker or receiver is placed in either your canal or ear. Unlike the BTE hearing aid that has a tube that connects the pieces, RIC and RITE hearing aids use a tiny wire for the connection.
RIC and RITE hearing aids are a nice substitute to the BTE hearing aid because they are less visible and small. However, like just about all hearing aids, they are still susceptible to a buildup of earwax around the speaker. Maintain proper cleaning routine to ensure that your speaker is always able to produce the clearest sounds for you.
Open-fit hearing aids
This style of hearing aid is similar to the BTE hearing aids in that it has a thin tube that connects its components. The Open Fit hearing aid is able to keep your ear canal open so that low-frequency sounds are best able to enter your ear naturally. At the same time, higher-frequency sounds are amplified through the hearing aid. Open Fit hearing aids are a nice option for people who suffer from mild to moderate hearing loss.
Open Fit hearing aids, while larger than in the ear hearing aids, are less visible than other models. Their smaller size, however, may be problematic as their small parts can be difficult to manage. Changing the battery might be a bit cumbersome and you may need to rely on a professional to help you.
A major benefit of the open-fit hearing aid is that it won’t plug your ear like other hearing aids that fit snugly in the ear canal. This means that your voice will sound like your own voice, and not muffled.
FAQs
Top Hearing Aids For Profound Hearing Loss
- Phonak Audéo Lumity.
- Phonak Naída Paradise.
- Starkey Genesis AI.
- Signia Pure Charge&Go AX 2.
- Widex Moment.
The Jabra Enhance Select 300 is our choice for the best overall hearing aid. This OTC option offers a range of features designed to enhance the user's auditory experience in all kinds of environments.
Which hearing aid last longer? ›
Style of hearing aids
Conventional wisdom in the hearing aid industry is that behind-the-ear (BTE) styles tend to have a longer lifespan than in-the-ear (ITE) styles. The reason behind this wisdom is more of the electronic components sit in the damp environment of the ear canal with ITE styles.
Do more expensive hearing aids work better? ›
Cheap hearing aids essentially improve literally everything you hear, which is not how a hearing aid should work. More costly hearing aids have features that cheap hearing aids do not, such as directional microphones, sudden noise protection, and superior noise filters.
What is the average cost of a good hearing aid? ›
The average cost of one hearing aid is approximately $2,000, and most people need one for each ear, says Dave Fabry, Ph.
Which hearing aid has the best speech clarity? ›
Sennheiser's Conversation Clear Plus are advanced earbuds designed to improve speech understanding in noisy environments. They offer many useful features such as automatic adjustments, speech enhancement, beamforming microphones, wireless app control, and Bluetooth™ streaming for most devices.
Why did Costco stop selling Kirkland hearing aid? ›
Costco Kirkland Signature Hearing Aids DISCONTINUED due to Reliability Issues.
Which hearing aid is better behind the ear or in the ear? ›
Owing to their discreteness, in-canal hearing aids might seem like the right choice, but behind the ear hearing aids offer a wider range of hearing amplification, are usually more flexible, and offer many more choices to hear better in noise, connect to your smartphone, or stream the sound from your television directly ...
Is it better to get a hearing aid from an audiologist? ›
Seek a referral to a reputable audiologist.
An audiologist will assess your hearing, help you choose the most appropriate hearing aid and adjust the device to meet your needs. If you have hearing loss in both ears, you will get best results with two hearing aids.
Why are Costco hearing aids so inexpensive? ›
Costco is one of the single largest purchasers of hearing aids in the entire industry. Because they purchase such a huge quantity of hearing aids from manufacturers, they are able to drive the prices down significantly, and then pass those savings along to their members.
Some of this time and effort is paid for by exam fees, but more often than not, providers offer free exams and consultations and roll up the cost of their time and services into the price of the hearing aids, making the hearing aids themselves more expensive.
Who makes Kirkland hearing aids for Costco? ›
Kirkland Signature is Costco's private label brand, and Kirkland Signature 10 hearing aids are manufactured by Sonova International, a Swiss hearing aid company.
What is the new hearing aid technology 2024? ›
2024 Hearing Aid Technology
AI algorithms can dynamically adjust settings, analyse and adapt to the wearer's surroundings in real-time, automatically adjusting the volume and frequency of sound to optimise the listening experience.
What is the best hearing aid style for moderate to severe hearing loss? ›
Providers often recommend ITE devices for people with moderate to severe hearing loss. Receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) hearing aids are similar to BTE devices. The body of a RITE hearing aid sits behind your ear. A thin receiver wire extends from the body of the hearing aid over your outer ear and into your ear canal.
What is better than a hearing aid? ›
A cochlear implant is very different from a hearing aid. Hearing aids amplify sounds so they may be detected by damaged ears. Cochlear implants bypass damaged portions of the ear and directly stimulate the auditory nerve.
