Ready to improve your hearing but not sure what type of hearing aid is best for you? You’ve come to the right place. This quick guide breaks down the basics of hearing aid types and the factors you should consider when choosing the right hearing aid for you.
There are many in-the-ear hearing aid types available. They all fit directly in the ear so it is important to get the right shape and fit for optimum comfort and sound quality. In the ear hearing aids are custom-made to you so they fit your ear perfectly.
These types of hearing aids are suitable for nearly all types of hearing loss. As there are no external wires or tubes, these devices can be more discreet.
There are five types of in-the-ear hearing aids, ranging from the invisible-in-canal to the full-shell type of hearing aid. The smallest style is completely hidden inside the canal of the ear. The largest fits completely inside the outer bowl of the ear, with a small portion extending into the ear canal to direct sound.
Hearing aid trial
These types of hearing aids are perfect for users with a more severe hearing loss or smaller ear canals. All the components in these types of hearing aids are housed behind the ear with a clear tube that connects the hearing aid to an earpiece that fits in your ear canal.
These types of hearing aids are a lot sleeker and slimmer than older, more traditional models and are great for people with less dexterity or visual impairment. While they are still also very discreet, they are not invisible, but they are powerful.
With this type of hearing aid, you can choose the colour of the housing from a range that you prefer. There are three types of hearing aids that sit behind the ear, BTE, RIC/RITE and Open Fit. Below you will find an overview of each style.
Behind-the-ear hearing aids
Modern hearing aids are more discreet than ever before. In fact, many hearing aids are practically invisible. Designed to be especially discreet, the smallest variants of in-the-ear hearing aids are placed inside the ear canal.
Several types of behind-the-ear hearing aids are also very discreet and will not be particularly noticeable when worn. Behind-the-ear hearing aids allow for more features and advantages, making them the preferred type of hearing aid for many wearers.
Rechargeable hearing aids Some hearing aids offer the convenience of rechargeable batteries. An easy overnight charge allows for hassle-free maintenance by eliminating the need to regularly replace batteries.
Having a rechargeable type of hearing aid removes the inconvenience of having to change batteries, which is a benefit to all, especially those with lower dexterity.
If you choose a hearing aid with Bluetooth, then you can connect it to your TV so that you can hear the TV audio directly in your hearing aid. This means that you get the sound directly in your hearing aid so that it is easier to hear.
It is also possible to connect a hearing aid to other Bluetooth devices, such as mobile phones and music players. If your type of hearing aid has a connectivity feature and you have an iPhone, then your hearing aids can double as a wireless headset, so that you can listen to music and have a hands-free phone conversation.
