What Are Different Types of Hearing Aids?

1. Behind-the-ear (BTE)

• Good for mild to severe hearing loss
• Must be worn behind the ear
• Connects to the earmold placed in the ear canal
• Can cause a whistling sound if poorly fitted
• Recommended for children

2. In-the-ear (ITE)

• Good for mild to severe hearing loss
• Mostly helps improve telephonic calls
• May be difficult to adjust due to its small size
• Can be damaged by ear wax

3. Canal aids: in-ear-canal (ITC) and completely-in-canal (CIC)

• Good for mild to moderate hearing loss
• Fits directly in the ear canal
• Can be customized according to the size and shape of the ear

4. Receiver-in-canal (RIC) and receiver-in-the-ear (RITE)

• Good for mild to severe hearing loss
• Have components behind the ear and receiver in the ear or canal attached by a wire

5. Body aids

• Mainly used for severe hearing loss or when other aids are not helpful 
• Attached to a belt or pocket and connected to the ear by a wire

When deciding on the best hearing aid for you, it’s important to understand what features are available and which are most important to you. Hearing aid features include:

• Direct audio input: Helps plug in directly to the TV or any music device.
• Directional microphone: Helps pick up sound coming from the front and block sound coming from the back or sideways. It improves hearing in places with a lot of background noises.
• Wireless connectivity: Helps connect with some Bluetooth-compatible devices. This feature may need other intermediary devices to send signals to hearing aids.
• Remote control: Allows settings to be controlled through a remote control.
• Variable programming: Comes with several program settings for different needs and different surroundings.
• Telephone switch: Filters background sounds and helps with hearing in theaters, auditoriums, etc.
• Synchronization: Helps synchronize the functions of multiple devices.

There are many factors to consider while choosing a hearing aid, including:

• Shape of the outer ear
• Depth and length of the ear canal
• Type and intensity of hearing loss
• Ease of removing and inserting the hearing aid
• Amount of wax that accumulates in the ear

You need to take good care of hearing aids for them to function properly. Tips that can make them last longer include:

• Keeping the hearing aids dry and away from moisture
• Keeping them away from heat, hair sprays, and pets
• Switching them off when not in use
• Reading the labels and clean them according to the instructions