Modern technology has greatly advanced the kinds of hearing aids available for those suffering from hearing loss. There are now many hearing aids with different abilities and functionalities to match the varying degrees of hearing loss and the different needs they necessitate.
There are two general broad categories under which all devices fall: digital and analogue hearing aids.
Analogue hearing aids were the first devices used prior to digital technology. They amplify the sounds picked by the microphone and convert them into electrical signals. These sounds are then transmitted to the ear in real time allowing the individual to get an improved perception of the speech and sounds around him. The more advanced analogue aids allow some level of programming.
Digital hearing aids on the other hand take advantage of modern technology and take the sound signals, convert them into bits and manipulate them before amplifying them for transmission to the ear. They can be programmed by a small computer and thus adjusted to meet the individual needs of the user.
The hearing aids can be further categorized in four groups by the place where they are placed. The four categories are;
- Completely-in-the-canal (CIC)
- In-the-canal (ITC)
- In-the-ear (ITE)
- Behind-the-ear (BTE)
These four types have replaced the body and eyeglasses kind of hearing aids which used to be widely used in the past about 50 years ago. The modern technology allowing for smaller hearing aids and the cosmetic needs of the users have been major factors for this switch. In-the-canal and completely-in-the-canal fall at times under in-the-ear hearing devices
Completely –in-the-canal hearing aids
These are the smallest of the devices and can be invisible while placed in the ear. They are used to treat mild to moderate hearing loss and only in people whose ear canals allow for their placement.
In the canal hearing aids
These are slightly larger than the CIC and are placed much outer in the canal and can be visible. They are used for mild and moderate hear loss problems.
In the ear hearing aids
They are larger than the first two allowing them to have larger receivers improving their effectiveness and features. They are used to solve a number of problems and allow for much easier handling.
Behind the ear hearing aids
These are placed in a case which is fitted behind the ear protecting them. They are very durable and can be used for a range of hearing loss problems including severe hearing loss. They are discreet and some have the receiver placed in the canal allowing for even smaller sizes and reducing the whistling feedback problem.
The robust design of BTEs makes them appropriate for use with children and they also bring in more features proving more useful for people with severe hearing loss. On the other hand ITEs have less whistling sounds, more cosmetic appeal and a more secure fit with components all housed in one unit.
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