When you have a vision loss, usually you are given two option, glasses or contacts. Traditionally, hearing aids, like glasses, came in two styles – In-the-Ear or Behind-the-Ear. With new technology, more options are available. Traditional in-the-ear hearing aids are usually a molded plastic shell housing the microphone, receiver (speaker) and other electronics. They come in sizes that vary from a full shell that fills up the entire concha (shell) of your ear down the new invisible-in-the-canal, which are very small and are hidden completely in your ear canal. Behind-the-ear hearing aids are comprised of a few different styles. Traditional BTE hearing aids consist of an aid that sits behind your ear that houses the microphone, receiver (speaker) and electronics. A air-filled tube follows your ear to a custom made earmold that sits in your ear. New variations of this style include the Mini/Micro size of the aid, which is a smaller version and the open-fit aids. Open-fit hearing aids have a small aid that sits behind the ear, a small, narrow tube that goes to your canal and either a small “dome” that sits in your ear or a small custom made shell. Receiver -in-the ear hearing aids have a very small hearing aid behind the ear with a wire that goes into your ear that has a small dome on it. New recently styles are the invisible-open hearing aid which has a very small hearing aid attached to a tubing and dome that curls around the concha (shell) of your ear and the Instant-Fit CIC that is a ready to wear hearing that sits completely in the canal. The last style is the extended wear hearing aid. This aid is inserted deep in your ear canal and worn non-stop for three to four months.
The hearing aid style you receive depends on a few factors. The most important factor when choosing a hearing aid is the degree of your hearing loss. Most mild to moderate loss levels can pretty much wear any style of hearing aid. A more severe loss may warrant a larger aid, such as a traditional BTE or a full-shell ITE so that it can produce enough power. Other factors to consider are lifestyle, cosmetic importance, ear shape/size, dexterity and shape of hearing loss. Your hearing health provider can discuss with you the best style for you.