Most people, when they finally decide to buy them, want to wear the smallest hearing aids possible, but that may not be the best thing for their hearing needs. There are several different styles and sizes of hearing aids. Some of them are only appropriate for specific hearing losses. Other styles of hearing aids can be worn for virtually any hearing loss, but they tend to be larger and less desirable cosmetically.
One of the most popular styles of aids is the Open Ear. These are small behind the ear hearing aids that connect to the ear by either a small tube or wire. When they use a wire there is a speaker, or receiver, on the end that goes into your ear canal. This type is called a RIC, or receiver in the canal. The largest benefit to this type of hearing aid is that it leaves your ear canal open so you don't feel plugged up. If you have a hearing loss in just the high frequencies this may be a good choice for you. But if you have hearing loss in the low and mid frequencies, Open Ear hearing devices were not intended for your loss. You can be fit with an earmold that will plug up your ear, but it will help you with those low pitch sounds - Unfortunately, you would be plugging up your ear once again. Now you just have small BTE (behind the ear), not an Open Ear.
For some people that's fine. They have a hearing instrument that is giving them enough power and it is small. Where using an Open Ear this way can be a problem is if you need a lot of power. It would not be in your best interest to get a hearing aid that looks good, but doesnt have the power to meet your loss! Since Open Ears were designed for high frequency hearing loss, they do not have that much power. There are some exceptions, but these are limited too. If you have a moderate to profound hearing loss, then you will need a Behind the Ear (BTE) hearing aid. You will have better hearing aids for your needs.
In the ear hearing aids, especially the small CIC style are also popular. Some manufacturers have better technology for these products than others, primarily because they do a better job controlling feedback (whistling). There's nothing more aggravating than to have your hearing aids whistle when you put your hand or a telephone near your ear, or when you hug someone.
There is more to choosing hearing aids than looks alone. Your hearing professional is the best person to talk to about which hearing aids are best for you.
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Kelly C. Calkins, AuD., has practiced audiology for over 20 years. For more information about
hearing aids or to find the nearest
hearing aid professional to you visit our website at http://www.adviceonhearingaids.com
