Buying a Hearing Aid? What Options You Have, and Which One to Choose?

If you are looking to buy a new Digital Hearing Aid, there are two possibilities, either you are a first time buyer or you are an existing user, but you feel the need to upgrade from your current Hearing Aid device. In both the cases, you would be amazed by the advancement witnessed by the Hearing Aid technology in the recent years.
These devices not only perform much better than ever before but also look different. With so many brands, types & styles now available, you might just be wondering what to look for while buying your device, if that's what you are struggling with, below is a list of the basic types of Hearing Aid Devices available, just so that you know, what to begin your search with.
1) BTE - Behind the Ear
Behind the Ear Hearing Aid is made up of 3 parts, an Ear Case, Earmold and a Tube. The Case which contains the amplification system, sits at the back of your ear, as the name suggests, and routes the sound to the Earmold via a Tube. The Earmold is custom made from your Ear impression and therefore fits perfectly replicating the size and shape of your ear, thus providing maximum comfort. Most brands make the BTE; one of the examples could be the Oticon Agil Wireless Hearing Aid. Below are some of the Advantages of BTE.
Advantages:
• Since the BTE are placed outside the Ear, they can use larger batteries to provide better sound amplification, thus making them suitable for all types of Hearing Losses
• As they are outside your Ear, they are protected from the moisture and wax in your ear, therefore providing enhanced durability.
2) ITE - In the Ear Hearing Aid
ITE are tailor made using the impression of your Ears. The ITE Aid as they are referred to fits in your outer year. Some of the Advantages of the ITE are as follows.
Advantages:
• ITE can be used for various levels of Hearing Loss
• Since the ITE fill the entire Ear, they are larger than the In the Canal hearing aid, and therefore can have a larger amplifier for better sound quality
3) ITC
In The Canal, fit inside the Canal, as the name suggests. ITC are relatively smaller than the ITE but a little larger than the CIC, which is Completely in the Canal. Below are some of the advantages.
Advantages.
• ITC fit in the Canal of the Ear and therefore are not visible to others easily.
• As the placement of the microphone is within the Canal, they offer natural sound quality
4) CIC
Completely in the Canal are the smallest devices manufactured. These devices fit deep in to the canal and are hardly visible from the outside. Cosmetically, these are the best Devices to own. One of the examples for these devices is the Phonak CIC power Digital Aid. Below are some of the advantages.
Advantages:
• CIC are the smallest Hearing Aid Devices and therefore cosmetically the most appealing
Depending on style, comfort, cosmetic appeal and affordability, you should now be able to choose one of the above types.