Symptoms of hearing loss: Some of the symptoms are mentioned below: If we feel that nearby people are talking too softly or mumbling. If we often ask people to repeat the words, speak slowly, clearly, and loudly. If we have difficulty listening on the phone. If we feel strained to listen in the group meeting. If we feel difficulty understanding the word in crowded or noisy places. If we prefer higher volume for listening to TV, audio devices compared to other people. Muffling of speech and other sounds. If we have a problem understanding the consonants in the words. If we are irritated with background noise. If we feel ringing in the ears, it is called tinnitus. |
Who will help to diagnose the hearing loss, and tell the level of the hearing loss, and the type of suitable hearing aid device? If you are feeling any of the above problems or sudden loss of hearing, especially in one ear. We need to visit a clinic, healthcare provider, doctor specialist, or audiologist. A Doctor specialist (ENT - Ear, Nose & Throat), Audiologists, Otolaryngologist (ENT), or healthcare provider will perform some hearing tests to diagnose the hearing loss, and its level, and advise the medications and suitable hearing aid device. |
Who is the sufferer of hearing loss? From small babies to senior citizens, anyone can suffer from hearing loss. In some cases of deaf-born children, gene therapy may be helpful to regain some hearing power. There are various reasons as mentioned earlier, to affect your hearing power but loud noise is one of the most important reasons for hearing loss. Hearing loss cannot be reversed but can be reduced with the help of surgery in some cases. However, in most of the cases, hearing loss can be reduced with the help of hearing aid devices. |
Types of hearing aid devices: Generally, two types of hearing aid devices are available in the market as given below: Analog Hearing Aid Devices: These devices are simple and older, cheap, and have very few features. Normally avoid purchasing them. Digital Hearing Aid Devices: These devices use the latest digital technology, similar to computers and smartphones. They have various smart features like automatic adjustment of volume as per need, smaller size, and more power. Though they are costlier than analog devices. |
Style of hearing aids: Different types of styles of hearing aids are available in the market. They differ in size and placement (In The Ear, Behind-The Ear, In The Canal, etc.). Severe hearing loss requires greater amplification of the sound and a large size of the device which may not fit in the ear canal. In this case, Behind-The-Ear (BTE) style may be suitable. The hearing aid styles are elaborated below: |
In The Canal (ITC) hearing aid devices: |
Fits inside the ear and is hard to see. |
Helpful in mild to moderate severe hearing loss. |
Due to its small size, it is difficult to adjust and remove. |
It is not suitable for children and persons having difficulty adjusting and removing due to its small size. |
Too much possibility of being clogged by earwax. |
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Invisible-In-Canal (IIC) hearing aid devices: |
Almost impossible to see by others. |
You may keep and remove it every day or put it even a month at a stretch. |
Completely-In-Canal hearing aids (CIC) and Mini CIC: |
Customized to fit inside the canal. |
Smallest size and rarely noticeable by others. |
Helpful in mild to moderate hearing loss. |
Wind noise resistance during an outside visit. |
Lack of volume control. |
A small battery, short life, frequently to be replaced, difficult to handle. |
Too much possibility of being clogged due to earwax.
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In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aid devices: |
Encased in a plastic cover. |
Can be fitted completely inside the outer ear. |
Helpful for mild to severe hearing loss. |
Have visible, larger size, and more control options. |
Easy to handle the device and battery due to its larger size. |
Not suitable for children whose ears' shape and size are still changing due to growth. |
Pick up more wind noise than a smaller size device during an outside visit. |
It may be clogged due to earwax. |
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Behind-the-ear (BTE) and mini BTE hearing aid devices: |
BTE Device is placed behind the ear in a plastic cover. |
A plastic ear of the BTE device is placed inside the outer ear to direct the sound into the human ear. |
These BTE devices are more visible and larger in size, however, nowadays smaller size devices are also available in the market. |
In mini BTE devices, most of the part of the device is placed behind the ear, and only a narrow tube is placed into the ear canal. |
Not prone to be clogged with earwax. |
Suitable for most of the types of hearing loss. |
Option for both types of batteries (chargeable or non-rechargeable) is available. |
Will get good amplification (loud sound) due to the directional microphone. |
Prone to wind noise. |
Receiver-In-Canal (RIC) and Receiver-In-The-Ear (RITE) hearing aid devices: |
Some parts of the device are placed behind the ear. |
The receiver part of the device is placed in the ear or the canal. |
Both the parts (receiver and outer part) are connected with a tiny wire. |
Smaller than BTE devices. |
Low frequency sound goes naturally inside the ear and high frequency sound goes inside the ear after the amplification by the device. |
RIC and RITE devices are preferred for mild hearing loss. |
These devices have more control options and a directional microphone. |
Options for chargeable and nonchargeable batteries are available. |
May be prone to be clogged with earwax. |
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Open Fit hearing aid devices |
Similar to BTE, RIC, and RITE. |
It has an open dome in the ear which keeps the ear canal clear. |
It passes low-frequency sounds naturally and high-frequency sounds after amplification. |
Suitable for the person who has hearing loss due to high-frequency sound. |
With this device, you can listen to your voice in a better way. |
It is more visible and difficult to place because it is not customizable. |
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Bone Conduction hearing aid devices: |
It is an implanted device, not similar to the devices mentioned earlier in this blog. |
By surgery, it is implanted/attached with bone behind the ear. |
It is called a bone-anchored Hearing Aid (BAHA). |
This device sends the sound directly to the inner ear through the skull. |
It is suitable for people who have hearing loss due to middle ear problems or hearing loss in one ear.
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Middle Ear Implant (MEI) hearing aid device |
By surgery, it is implanted in a bone of the middle ear. Bone reacts directly as per the sound waves. |
It is suitable for sensorineural hearing loss caused by damage to the inner ear. |
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