A professional audiologist can help diagnose your hearing and determine the appropriate hearing aid to address the issue. The devices bring up the level of sounds to help anyone with an auditory processing issue.
Auditory aids are available in different types and have unique characteristics, such as an outer shell or molds. Here are four types of hearing aids that people can wear to amplify sounds:
In-the-Ear Aids
ITE aids are designed to fit entirely in the outer ear canal. Their ability to securely fit in one’s ear shape and size makes them comfortable and ideal for individuals with mild to serious auditory issues.
They come in large sizes with permanent molds to enable users to handle and adjust them more conveniently. In-the-ear devices have additional components, such as directional microphones, programs, and volume controls, which allow for louder sound amplification.
Behind-the-Ear Devices
The various styles of these instruments make them flexible and ideal for people with varying severities of hearing loss. They have a hard plastic shell and an earmold customized to be worn behind the ear and into the outer ear.
BTE devices have more advanced additions, such as noise control and Bluetooth, which allow users to connect them to smartphones. The microphones collect and process sounds, which are then enhanced and delivered through the speakers. An audiologist can help you get a hearing aid with feedback suppression for clearer sounds.
In-the-Canal Aids
In-the-canal instruments have smaller sizes, which makes them suitable for children and people with mild to moderate auditory issues. Their small sizes enable audiological professionals to position them conveniently into the users’ ear canals.
This allows the devices to take advantage of the conical shape of the ear for enhanced sound capture and attenuation. In-the-canal instruments lack many additional features but have directional microphones and speakers, which improve their overall performance.
Receiver-in-the-Ear Amplifiers
A RITE aid has a miniature case, which the audiologist places behind the patient’s ear. The main body connects to a thin wire that runs to the speaker or receiver, which the specialist positions in the ear canal. This design incorporates the microphone and processor in a different unit from the speaker for less sound interference.
Guide for Using Audiological Aids
Before you start wearing the devices, ask your doctor about the meaning of the red and blue markers. Devices marked blue are to be put in the left ear, while those marked red are for the right ear. Using the devices in calm environments and reading out the book you like while wearing them can help you adapt quickly to their usage and adjust sound settings.
Consult an Audiologist Today
An audiological professional knows how to examine the severity of your hearing loss and determine a suitable device that benefits you optimally. The doctor can help you find a device with modern features like feedback suppression for better sound amplification. Schedule an appointment with an audiologist for the best aids that will enhance your hearing and offer any additional features, such as Bluetooth.
