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Style of hearing aid. There are many different brands, but there are some common, basic styles. Choose
hearing aid that is best suited for your type of hearing loss, listening needs, and personal tastes.
Some of
basic types of hearing aids are:
Body aids - A small sound box fits in your shirt pocket. It has a chord that runs up your neck and is attached to a mold or an earpiece.
Behind
Ear (BTE) - A small plastic case sits behind your ear with tube that goes to a mold in your ear.
Eyeglass aids - This is like a BTE but parts of
hearing aid are built into your eye glass frames. A chord or tube is connected to
mold that goes into your ear.
In
Ear (ITE) - A small plastic case fits into your outer ear.
In
Canal (ITC) - A very small plastic case fits half way into
ear canal and can barely be seen in
outside ear.
Completely in
canal (CIC) - This is a tiny plastic case that fits entirely into
canal and is not seen at all.
Cochlear Implants - A group of tiny wires are surgically placed behind your eardrum. They electrically stimulate
cochleae or primary hearing organ. The wires are connected to a plastic earpiece. A chord attaches this to a sound box worn on your belt or in a pocket.
You will also want to discuss
need for one or two hearing aids. Most people hear best with two hearing aids, which is called binaural. There is less ringing in your ears and less distortion or blurring of sounds. Hearing is also easier in noisy, crowded rooms. You hear in a full circle around you with two hearing aids. With one, you only hear
side your aid is on. Unless your hearing professional tells you otherwise, you should use two hearing aids.
What level of technology you will need in your hearing aid will depend on various factors. This decision is made based on your type of hearing loss, listening needs, personal likes and price.
There is a second part to this article that is available on
Discount Valley Website. Choosing a Hearing Aid - Part 2.
