There are two basic types of hearing impairment or loss and two distinct types of hearing aids designed for each for each type of hearing loss. If you choose the wrong type of hearing aid for your particular loss you will not get the results you hope for and may end up with unneeded frustration. The following article by Tim Olson spells out some of the differences and what type of hearing aid to look for in your particular case.
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Hearing Aids: Which One Is Best For Me?
by Tim Olson
Hearing problems can be divided into 2 categories, namely conductive and "sensorineural". An irregularity in the communication of sound to the outer or middle ear is called conductive, while an abnormality on the cochlear and auditory nerve is referred to as sensorineural. The former can be helped with the use of analog hearing aids which basically amplifies sound. The latter fixes the problem of sound processing, and use of digital hearing aids gets the job done.
Common hearing aids use analog technology and they generally come as either conventional or programmable types. Both use the principle of sound amplification by magnifying sound waves. Conventional aids come with a regular volume control for increasing or decreasing sound. While programmable aids basically do the same thing, they have extra features that allow exact fine-tuning and adjusting to an individual's specific needs.
Digital hearing aids have digital circuitry and provide crisp and clear sound. They are programmed based on your unique hearing loss. Its circuitry performs millions of complex calculations in a snap to enable digital processing of sound, canceling noise, feedback and distortion. It converts gathered sound into digital format, then processes it with digital technology and outputs it into your ear as analog sound. These instruments allow for greater flexibility and customization for patients' different needs.
Hearing aids vary in size and shape. But they generally come down to four basic classifications. Behind the ear or BTE models have a plastic casing that houses the electronic parts used for amplification of sound. As the name says, it is worn behind the ear and has a tube that connects to an ear mold for fitting in the ear canal. They are easy to use and commonly recommended for children.
In the ear or ITE models are tailored to fit a certain individual's outer ear. They are recommended for patients with mild to severe hearing problems, although a bit difficult to use as compared to BTE's due to their size. In the canal or ITC's are smaller than ITE's and only take up half the space of your ear. They are much less visible compared to ITE and BTE models, and are recommended for mild to moderate hearing loss.
Completely in the canal or CIC models are considered the smallest in size and are virtually invisible to other people since it literally fits further inside your ear canal. But it does require having an ear canal opening large enough to fit this device. They are best for mild to moderate hearing loss.
It's easy to be confused with so much information on hearing aids out there. So how do we get a custom-fit hearing instrument? The answer will always vary since different individuals have different degrees of hearing loss. A patient's lifestyle and communication will also be factors.
In choosing a perfect fit instrument, it is important that patients undergo hearing tests and evaluation of their degree of hearing loss. This is the best way of knowing for sure, and not getting basis from someone who tells you that his aid has the best hearing features.
Remember that your needs will always be different from others, and on choosing hearing aids, it's no different. A doctor, audiologist or hearing instrument specialist can conduct accurate tests that will pinpoint the right instrument for you, be it analog or digital hearing aids.
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