Choosing your hearing aid style may seem quite challenging at first. However, there are many different styles to choose from. You can choose one that tucks neatly into the ear canal or one that wraps over the top of the ear and tucks into the ear canal. Here are some guidelines to consider:
Completely In-Ear Canal
These hearing aids are the least obvious. They tuck neatly into the ear and are virtually invisible. They work very well to improve hearing and they come in two different sizes. The smaller is called “Minis” and uses a tiny battery that many complain runs down too fast. The volume isn’t adjustable on most models. The larger-sized ones are similar to the minis however, they are a bit larger. They are easy to insert and remove from the ears. The main complaint with these is that they are subject to ear wax build-up that must be removed frequently.
In The Ear
These fit neatly into the ear and offer some features that the above-mentioned styles don’t include such as volume control and other adjustments that the smaller units mentioned above are too small to include. These have a larger battery that may last longer than other models. Since these are larger, they are also more visible however, they are still a very low profile model that isn’t easily noticed. They do tend to collect ear wax that must be removed frequently. They will pick up wind noise as well.
Behind The Ear
Traditionally, these are larger than the previously mentioned models. They hook over the back of the ear and to retain as low of a profile as possible many are more flesh-toned to blend in with the ear. They have a larger battery which helps to extend the life of the unit and some of them are rechargeable batteries.
These have a directional microphone and are capable of capturing more sound than other models. They will capture wind and other sounds that can be annoying if you’re not used to it.
Receiver In Canal: Similar to the above-mentioned behind the ear model these have a wire as opposed to a tube. They offer the same benefits as the above-mentioned behind-the-ear units.
Open Fit: These are another variation of the behind-the-ear models. These are somewhat more challenging to insert due to their size.
When choosing your hearing aid style, each model has its own pros and cons. Most models are a personal preference and all work well to amplify sound and help a person who doesn’t hear well to hear better.
