Types of Hearing Aids: Which Device Is Right for You?

You often have issues with people not speaking loud enough. A lot of times, you have to ask your loved ones to repeat themselves.

These are big signs that you need to start looking at hearing aids. Having one will help increase your quality of life and stop you from being so frustrated with your family and friends.

You’ll be able to go to your grandkid’s sporting events and theater shows without straining to hear. There’s no better feeling.

Before you start shopping around, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the different types of hearing aids. Check out this guide to learn which option might be right for you.

In-the-Ear

These types of hearing aids are made to fit snugly inside your inner ear. After your hearing test, a professional will take an impression of your ear to make sure you get a device that’s the right size.

Oftentimes, in-the-ear models are small hearing aids that blend in with your skin tone. They’re super discrete. Unless someone is standing close to you, your hearing aid will go unnoticed.

They’re the best type of hearing aid as far as sound quality goes. They are vulnerable to moisture and ear wax damage, however. It can also be difficult to connect them to Bluetooth devices.

Behind-the-Ear

Behind-the-ear hearing aids can sit on top of your ear or, as the name suggests, behind it. They’re the largest type of hearing aids that you can buy. If you don’t like the bulkier models, you can find mini ones that are a little less noticeable.

There are rechargeable behind-the-ear hearing aids, but in most cases, you’ll have to change the batteries in your device every 20 days or so.

They’re the best hearing aid when it comes to amplification, but they do pick up a lot of wind.

Canal

A canal hearing aid is a cross between the behind-the-ear and in-the-ear models. They’re comprised of a speaker that sits on your ear and a receiver that rests inside it.

They’re not too noticeable, and most canal hearing aids work off of manual control. They also have rechargeable batteries and directional microphones.

Like in-the-ear hearing aids, they do often get clogged up with ear wax.

Open Fit

The last type of hearing aid we’re going to talk about is open fit. It’s a behind-the-ear hearing aid that has a small tube that fits in the ear.

They keep the canal nice and open, making them a great choice for those with high-frequency hearing loss. Open fit aids can be annoying to mess with, and they’re visible, but they don’t clog your ear the same way inner-ear hearing aids do.

Types of Hearing Aids to Familiarize Yourself With

If you find it difficult to hear your loved ones, it might be time for you to get a hearing aid. Having one can increase your quality of life in a big way.

Test your ears today and talk to a professional about the different types of hearing aids.

For more tips that will help you manage your hearing loss, visit the Health section of our blog.