Audiology
Treatment
Types and Styles of Hearing Aids
The type of hearing aid that’s prescribed for you will be based on many factors, such as the severity of your hearing loss or what you find most appealing. An audiologist can help you choose the best type and style for your particular needs.
Major Types of Hearing Aids
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Analog Hearing Aids—An audiologist has some flexibility to adjusting them to fit your hearing characteristics. These are the least expensive type of hearing aids.
- Programmable Hearing Aids—Contain a computer chip that an audiologist can program to accommodate your type of hearing loss and how you respond to louder sounds. They can be programmed for different hearing environments ranging from one-on-one conversations in a quiet room to dinner in a noisy restaurant. You can select from different programs with a remote or push-button control.
- Digital Hearing Aids—Can analyze the hearing environment and adjust automatically to different types and levels of sound. Digital hearing aids are the most advanced types of hearing aids and are available in all price ranges.
Hearing Aid Styles
- Behind-the-Ear (BTE) Hearing Aids—BTE hearing aids have an earmold that sits on the outer portion of the ear. The hearing aid rests behind your ear and a plastic tube connects it to the earmold.
- In-the-Ear (ITE) and In-the-Canal (ITC) Hearing Aids—ITE and ITC hearing aids have their working parts in the earmold shell so the entire device fits into your ear. Some ITE models can be seen from the side. The smallest ITC aids fit right inside your ear canal, and are virtually invisible. If you have severe hearing loss, or very small ear canals, these aids may not be appropriate for you.
- Bone Conduction Hearing Aids—These hearing aids are for people with conductive hearing loss that can not wear conventional hearing aids. They deliver sound through the skull by vibrations.