Types of Hearing Aids
Book An AppointmentNot all digital hearing aids are made equal!!
There are several reasons why you might consider getting hearing aid if you are experiencing hearing loss. With our extensive range of RIC’s, CIC’s, ITE’s, IIC’s and BTE’s we are confident to have the correct solution to fit your hearing needs. But are there other benefits to hearing aids? keep reading to learn about some of the additional benefits to hearing amplification.
HERE ARE THE FEW KEY BENEFITS:
- Improved Hearing Ability
Enhance your ability to hear sounds and communicate effectively. Our hearing solutions can amplify sounds and help you distinguish speech more clearly, making it easier to engage in conversations and understand others in various settings. - Enhanced Quality of Life
Addressing hearing loss can significantly improve your overall quality of life. With better hearing, you can enjoy social interactions, connect with loved ones, and engage more fully in everyday activities. It can also boost your confidence and prevent feelings of isolation or frustration that hearing loss can sometimes cause. - Better Cognitive Function:
Research has shown a link between hearing loss and cognitive decline. By wearing hearing aids and restoring your hearing ability, you can potentially reduce the cognitive load on your brain, stay mentally sharp, and maintain better cognitive function. - Safety and Awareness
Hearing loss can compromise your safety, especially in situations where you need to hear warning signals, alarms, or approaching vehicles. Wearing amplification can help you stay aware of your surroundings, ensuring personal safety and reducing the risk of accidents. - Emotional Well-being
Untreated hearing loss can lead to emotional challenges such as stress, anxiety, and even depression. By addressing your hearing los, you can experience improved emotional well-being, as you’ll be able to actively participate in conversations, enjoy hobbies, and feel more connected to the world around you. - Prevention of Further Decline
In some cases, hearing loss can worsen over time. By proactively treating your hearing loss with hearing aids, you may help prevent further deterioration of your hearing abilities.
Styles of Hearing Aids
Hearing aids come in various styles, each designed to suit different needs and preferences. Here’s a comprehensive overview of the different styles, types, and technology options available to help you become more familiar before your visit to us.
Behind The Ear (BTE) Hearing Aids
- The classic behind-the-ear model (BTE) is the choice if you have a severe hearing loss or if you have very small ear canals, which makes it difficult to fit an entire hearing aid into your ear.
- All the electronic components of a classic BTE model are located in a housing placed behind your ear.
- A slim plastic tube with an earmould in the end directs the amplified sound from the hearing aid into your ear.
- Manual controls for volume and program change are placed on the top side of the hearing aid for easy user access.
- Depending on the model, BTE hearing aids can moreover often be fitted with an open fit solution. This means that the ear-tip is made with compensatory measures so as to optimise the sound processing.
At Galway & O’Neill Hearing Care we provide hearing aids from leading manufacturers such as Oticon, Phonak and Widex.
Completely in Canal (CIC) Hearing Aids
A Completely in Canal (CIC) hearing aid is the second smallest style of hearing aids and is especially suitable if you have a mild to moderate hearing loss. It is a custom made shell that contains all the electronic components.
The shell is placed deeply in the ear canal, making the hearing aid almost invisible. A CIC therefore has a big aesthetic advantage: No one be able to actually see that you are wearing a hearing aid.
For easy everyday removal, the CIC has a small cord attached to the outside. A CIC model works fully automatically.
At Galway & O’Neill Hearing Care we provide hearing aids from leading manufacturers such as Oticon, Phonak and Widex.
In the Ear (ITE) Hearing Aids
- An “in-the-ear” hearing aid model (ITE) is suitable if you have a mild to severe hearing loss.
- The ITE has all its electronic components contained within a plastic shell moulded to fit your ear.
- The ITE model is placed in the ear canal, but with the faceplate still visible in the concha of your ear.
- The size – as well as the visibility – of the ITE depends on your degree of hearing loss and the shape of your ear canals.
- The ITE comes with optional user controls for program and volume change on the outside shell plate.
- If you have difficulty with dexterity (fine handling skills) then the ITE is a very popular choice due to its ease of use.
Invisible in the Canal (IIC) Hearing Aids
Small size, big sound. Its clever, all-in-one design means that all the electronics of the “Invisible in the Canal” (IIC) hearing aid are placed in the shell to provide the ultimate small fit. Unlike other hearing aids, the IIC has no joined parts and therefore no hard edges – adding extra comfort for hearing aid users and is completly invisible so no one will know you are wearing it.
- Perfect fit: each IIC hearing aid is custom made to ensure a perfect fit.
- Better localisation: tight fit means users can better determine where sounds are coming from.
- All-purpose use: can be worn in all listening situations.
- Durability: all components are contained in one unit making it extremely durable.
- More comfort: no joined parts mean there are no hard edges