Loss of hearing can have a detrimental effect on your quality of life, so if you think you are experiencing it, you should get yourself checked out by an ears, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor right away.
ENT doctors, like Dr. Scott W. Franklin of Georgetown ENT, can help you by performing hearing and balance tests to evaluate whether you’re a candidate for hearing aids. Once Dr. Franklin determines this, he can educate you on the options available to make the decision-making process easier and ensure the one you’re getting will best address your needs.
Let’s talk about the different types of hearing aids and which one may be right for you.
Types of Hearing Aids
Hearing aids are categorized based on where and how you wear them. You can determine which type is suitable for you by considering the degree of your hearing impairment, the anatomy of your ear, your budget considerations, and your personal preferences with respect to design and technology.
Completely in the Canal (CIC)
CIC hearing aids are the smallest, and therefore, the most inconspicuous. This type sits deep in your ear canal, so it has less sensitivity to wind noise. Because of their wee size, CIC aids use small batteries that have a relatively shorter life.
While advantageous for being barely noticeable, the size of CIC hearing aids can contribute to earwax and moisture buildup, which can eventually affect speaker clarity.
This type is suitable for mild to moderate cases of adult hearing loss.
In the Canal (ITC)
Compared to their CIC relative, ITC hearing aids are not customized to deeply fit your ear canal. ITC hearing devices also use a smaller battery and contribute to earwax buildup. They are, however, bigger in size, which allows for additional features.
ITC hearing aids are ideal for adults with mild to moderate hearing impairment.
In the Ear (ITE): Half Shell and Full Shell
ITE hearing aids are custom-made in two designs: half shell, or one that fits only the lower part of your ear, and full shell, which fits most of the bowl-shaped part of your outer ear.
ITE hearing aids are bigger in size that allows for easier handling and more features that are otherwise not present in in-the-canal devices. One drawback of ITEs is their sensitivity to wind noise, which is apparently attributable to their larger size.
ITE hearing aids are recommended for adults with mild to moderate hearing difficulty.
Behind the Ear (BTE)
Compared to the other types, BTE hearing aids are the most noticeable. They are usually available in traditional/standard and mini versions.
Traditional BTE hearing devices are designed with a hard plastic case that hooks over your ear and attached to a plastic earmold that sits inside your outer ear. They are remarkably bigger in size, which makes them easier to hold and adjust, gives them more durability, and allows for more features.
Unlike in the traditional design, the receiver in mini BTE hearing aids is found in the earpiece that sits within your ear canal. The thin wire that hooks over your ear is responsible for holding the entire device in place.
BTE hearing aids are suitable for people with practically any type of hearing difficulty.
Open-Fit
A derivative of the BTE type, open-fit hearing devices discreetly sit behind the ear. This type transmits sound into your ear canal through a thin plastic tube that is attached to a tip that sits within your ear canal. This feature has made open-fit hearing devices increasingly popular, for it allows users to enjoy comfort and more natural sound quality. It also helps prevent earwax or moisture buildup on the device.
Open-fit hearing aids are recommended for people with mild- to moderately high-frequency hearing loss.
Finding Hearing Aids in Georgetown, Texas
Hearing aids are definitely a godsend to those who don’t want hearing loss to hamper their quality of life. If you’re trying to find hearing aids in Georgetown, Texas, look no further than Georgetown ENT. Our hearing specialists, Dr. Scott Franklin and Dr. Abeda Mueed, will give you expert advice to help you decide as to which type of hearing aid is best for you.
Contact us at (512) 869-0604 or fill out this online form to book an appointment with our hearing loss specialists today. We look forward to hearing from you!
