Hearing Aids in Downers Grove
Clarity of sound, functionality, and unrivaled comfort are some of the main advantages of modern hearing aids. The path to hearing better begins with finding a hearing aid appropriate for your specific type and severity of hearing loss. Contact us for a consultation so we can help you figure out the best solution for you.
Types of Hearing Aids
Hearing aids are broken down into about five categories in general.
Completely-in-Canal Hearing Aids
One of the smallest models of hearing aids, made to fit completely inside the ear, is called a completely-in-canal, or CIC hearing aid. This type of hearing aid is basically invisible when it's inside of the ear.
Pros: Completely-in-canal hearing aids are very discrete and can effectively manage mild to moderate hearing loss. Because CIC hearing aids fit entirely inside the ear, wind noise is not as much of an issue.
Cons: CIC hearing aids also have some drawbacks. Their functionality can easily be hindered by the buildup of earwax. The lifespan of their battery is also usually shorter. Because they are small and space is limited, they will often lack some of the more sophisticated and advanced features.
In-the-Ear Hearing Aids
Usually, sitting in the part of the earlobe shaped like a bowl, in-the-ear, or ITE hearing aids are a bit less discrete than CIC models. ITE hearing aids can also be made to sit in the lower part of the bowl shape if you want a more discrete look. When the device sits in the upper part of the bowl, it's called a "full shell," and when the device sits in the lower part, they're called a "half shell".
Pros: Because they're larger, ITE hearing aids tend to be more customizable and are generally easier to handle. The battery on this type of hearing aid will usually have more life than smaller models, and they will typically come with a more robust group of features.
Cons: ITE hearing aids are less discrete than in-the-canal models as the majority of the hearing aid is outside the ear. Because they sit mostly outside the ear, ITE models can have a little more trouble with wind noise.
In-the-Canal Hearing Aids
In-the-canal, or ITC hearing aids, fit onto the outer edge of the ear. Most of the hardware will be visible outside of the ear, while the speaker will be inside of the ear.
Pros: ITC hearing aids are bigger, so they are able to house more advanced features and usually have longer battery life. The fit is also more comfortable for some people. ITC devices are not the largest type of hearing aids, so they are usually less obvious than larger models.
Cons: Because of their size and location, ITC devices are usually more obvious than CIC models. Accumulation of earwax can be a problem for the speakers. Because they're smaller, it can be a bit difficult for some people to adjust settings.
Receiver-in-the Ear and Behind-the-Ear Models
There are some similarities between receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) devices and behind-the-ear (BTE) models: the mechanical parts and the power supply sit behind the ear. The parts that go behind the ear are connected to the speaker, which is inside of the ear, via a small wire.
Pros: Both parts of this hearing aid can be readily replaced, making them a great option for people of any age. BTE and RITE hearing aids can amplify power, making them an ideal solution for people who suffer from moderate to severe hearing loss.
Cons: RITE and BTE devices are larger and more visible than other models, and although they come in various colors and have become a bit smaller, they're still fairly obvious.
Open-Fit Hearing Aids
An open-fit hearing aid is yet another type of BTE device. Much like other BTE types of hearing aids, open-fit devices have a speaker inside of the ear connected to the external mechanical parts via a thin tube. With an open-fit hearing aid, the ear canal remains relatively unblocked due to the small size of the microphone.
Pros: When you hear your own voice, it will be clear and sound natural because your ear canal will be unobstructed. Open-fit hearing aids are a good solution for people with hearing loss in the higher frequency range but who still have fairly good hearing in the lower frequency range.
Cons: Open-fit hearing aids are generally composed of smaller components so they can be a little harder to handle. They can be a bit more obvious than other models.
Which model of hearing aids will best suit your needs?
Which model of hearing aids will be best for you will depend on your type and level of hearing loss and your specific preferences. In order to determine the best solution for you, contact us for a consultation.