Hearing Aids Have Changed Dramatically in the Last Few Years
If you haven’t thought about hearing aids since your great grandfather wore one to your violin recital, you might be shocked at how much they’ve changed. In fact, hearing aids have changed so much in the last few years many of our customers tend not to think of them as just hearing aids. Not only are hearing aids far more discreet (with some of them being completely hidden in the ear canal), but they use sophisticated artificial intelligence (AI) and Bluetooth which add a whole other level of sound quality, clarity, and, frankly, usefulness. There was a time that you couldn’t use hearing aids with telephones. Now digital hearing aids will synch right to your smartphone.
Different Types of Hearing Aids
- BTE – Behind-the-Ear Behind-the-Ear (BTE) hearing aids are the most recognized style available. The device sits behind the ear and connects to a custom earmold inside the ear canal. BTE hearing aids are suitable for virtually all degrees of hearing loss and are easy to handle, making them a great choice for all ages. Modern BTE devices offer powerful features including Bluetooth, rechargeable batteries, and AI-powered sound processing.
- RIC / RITE – Receiver-in-Canal / Receiver-in-the-Ear RIC/RITE hearing aids are one of the most popular styles today. The processor sits behind the ear while a thin, nearly invisible wire delivers sound directly into the ear canal. This design provides a more natural sound, a more discreet look, and a comfortable, open fit that eliminates the “plugged up” feeling. Most support Bluetooth streaming and rechargeable batteries.
- ITE – In-the-Ear In-the-Ear (ITE) hearing aids are custom-molded to fit within the outer portion of your ear no components behind the ear at all. They’re easy to insert and remove, comfortable for all-day wear, and can include helpful controls like volume adjustments and program buttons.
- ITC – In-the-Canal In-the-Canal (ITC) hearing aids sit partly inside the ear canal, making them smaller and less visible than ITE styles. They still offer enough space for useful features like volume controls and directional microphones. Custom-molded for a precise, comfortable fit.
- CIC – Completely-in-Canal Completely-in-Canal (CIC) hearing aids fit almost entirely inside the ear canal and are barely visible to others. They’re a popular choice for cosmetically-minded patients. Keep in mind that their smaller size means smaller batteries and fewer manual controls, and they require regular cleaning due to their deep canal placement.
- IIC – Invisible-in-Canal Invisible-in-Canal (IIC) hearing aids are the smallest and most discreet option available — sitting so deep in the ear canal that they are completely hidden from view. They deliver a surprisingly natural sound experience and are the top choice for patients who prioritize invisibility. Not everyone is a candidate; our audiologists can determine the right fit during your evaluation.
- Bluetooth features that sync with your TV, phone and other smart devices.
- Biometric tracking abilities, so you can replace your fitness tracker device, or even your alert pendant. (Some hearing aids are able to detect falls in case you’re unable to call for help.)
- Artificial intelligence, so you can filter out noise to focus on the music or voice you want to hear.
- Translation capabilities—yes, this is new technology, but pretty amazing, especially if you enjoy traveling.
- More comfortable, extended-wear options.
New digital hearing aids have also solved many of the complaints of earlier hearing aid devices such as eliminating the “voice-in-a-tunnel” effect and cancelling out feedback (that annoying screeching noise).
What’s the Difference Between Digital Hearing Aids and Analog?
Back in the day, there were only analog hearing aids, which are essentially amplifying devices. Similar to digital hearing aids, they have a tiny microphone, a receiver, and a component designed to make sounds louder. But that’s where the comparison ends because digital hearing aids also have a microchip, which makes them akin to tiny computers. Many of the amazing benefits listed above are only possible with digital hearing aids including:
- Automatically focus on voices (instead of noise)
- Cancel out that screeching feedback sound older models sometimes made
- Connect to other devices
- Discern between situations where you’d want to focus on one sound (like talking to a waiter in a restaurant) versus situations where you’d want to hear a variety of sounds (like at a rock concert)
What this means is that digital hearing aids offer a sound quality much closer to your natural hearing. Is it any wonder why most people prefer digital hearing aids?
Corpus Christi ENT Sinus & Allergy
