How To Pick The Right Hearing Aid

Posted on: 22 October 2015

If you need to pick a hearing aid, then there are several popular types to choose from. To help you narrow down your options, here are the most popular options:

Behind-the-Ear (BTE) - The first and most visible type is known as a BTE hearing aid. These units rest almost entirely outside the ear and are thus pretty visible. If you are wearing a BTE and someone looks at you from the side or behind, they will spot the aid pretty easily. On the other hand, BTE units are definitely the least intrusive and tend to be the most comfortable. If you are less than 20, then a BTE unit might be a good option, since your ears are still growing. Other units might need to be reshaped every few years, but a BTE unit won't be as affected by the changing shape of your ears. 

On-the-Ear (OTE) - If you want a unit that is a little less visible than a BTE, then an OTE unit is a good choice. OTE units are smaller and more compact than BTE units, which means that they don't feel quite so bulky on your ear. If you want a comfortable hearing aid and aren't overly concerned with people seeing that you have a hearing aid, then an OTE is a good pick.

In-the-Ear (ITE) - Next you have ITE's, which are mostly inside the ear. This has the big benefit of making the hearing aid pretty difficult to spot unless the viewer knows what they are looking for. From the front or behind, most people won't ever notice that you are wearing an ITE. That being said, they aren't too difficult to spot when viewed directly from the side. Due to the fact that ITE's are packed into the ear, they also tend to be a bit more uncomfortable than external units. If you have sensitive ears, then you might want to try out an ITE before committing.

In-the-Canal (ITC) - Finally, you have ITC units, which are almost entirely inside the ear. They are the least visible, but are the most difficult to wear for people with sensitive ears. ITC units are practically impossible to spot, which makes them your best bet if you are very concerned with people seeing that you are wearing a hearing aid. In some cases, you might even want to get a completely-in-the-canal (CITC) hearing aid, which sits even deeper in the canal.

For more information about different kinds of hearing aids or for help choosing the best kind for your situation, contact a company like Hearing Specialists of DuPage.

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