Types and Styles of Hearing Aids.....( Part 02 ).

Different Types of Hearing Aids.

Hearing aids are most effective at assisting mild, moderate or severe hearing loss caused by limitations in the transmission of sound through the eardrum and middle ear hearing bones (known as a conductive hearing loss) or reduced function of inner ear sensory cells called outer hair cells (known as a sensory hearing loss or Sensorineural Hearing Loss).

Hearing aids although usually useful are typically not as effective as Cochlear Implants (👈Click to go) for assisting very severe or profound hearing losses. Hearing aids can also provide some benefit for hearing problems caused by damage to the hearing nerve or brain.

All digital hearing aids contain at least one microphone to pick up sound, a computer chip that amplifies and processes sound, a speaker that sends the signal to the ear and a battery for power. These components are the “guts” of the hearing aid, and they are packaged into several different styles of hearing aids. When you consult with a hearing care professional, they will consider many factors, provide you with proper hearing aid information and help guide you toward the best hearing aid style for you.

Functional wise, there are two main types of hearing aids:

Ø  Analog hearing aids, convert sound waves into electrical signals and then make them louder. They’re usually less expensive and have simple volume controls.

An Analog Hearing Aid. 

Ø  Digital hearing aids, convert sound waves into numerical codes similar to computer codes and then amplify them. The code includes information about the direction of a sound and its pitch or volume. That makes it easier to adjust the sound to what you need, whether you’re in a restaurant, a quiet room, or a stadium. Most will adjust automatically. Although this type costs more than an analog hearing aid, the results are much better. They’re also smaller and more powerful.

Analog Hearing Aid (Left) Vs digital Hearing Aid (Right).

By Style wise (Physical appearance), hearing aids can also be classified into two main groups which include different sizes:

       I.            In-the-ear (ITE) styles

    II.            Behind-the-ear (BTE) styles.

In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids fit completely inside the outer ear and are used for mild to severe hearing loss. The case holding the electronic components is made of hard plastic. Some ITE aids may have certain added features installed, such as a telecoil. 

A telecoil is a small magnetic coil that allows users to receive sound through the circuitry of the hearing aid, rather than through its microphone. This makes it easier to hear conversations over the telephone. A telecoil also helps people hear in public facilities that have installed special sound systems, called induction loop systems. Induction loop systems can be found in many churches, schools, airports, and auditoriums.

Induction Loop System.

ITE aids usually are not worn by young children because the casings need to be replaced often as the ear grows. The following hearing aid types are considered ITE styles. Their sizes range from virtually invisible when worn to filling the entire bowl of the ear.

1.      Invisible-in-the-canal (IIC) and completely-in-the-canal (CIC) hearing aids:

IIC Vs CIC.

IIC and CIC styles are the tiniest hearing aids made. They fit very deeply in the ear canal and are typically fit to help correct mild or moderate hearing losses. Their size and ability to “disappear” when worn depend on the size of the ear canal. Because of their tiny size, they offer high cosmetic appeal for people who desire a discreet solution.

2.      In-the-canal (ITC) hearing aids:

ITC Hearing Aid.

ITC styles sit in the lower portion of the outer ear bowl, making them comfortable and easy to use. Because they are slightly larger than IIC and CIC styles, they have a longer battery life, are easier to handle and can fit a wider range of hearing losses.

3.      Low profile hearing aids:

Low profile styles range from half-shell (HS) designs that fill half the bowl of the outer ear to designs that fill almost the entire outer ear bowl. The size of a low profile style makes it desirable for people with dexterity issues because it is easier to handle than the smaller sizes. Low profile hearing aids are large enough to accommodate helpful features like directional microphones, volume controls and program buttons.

Different Types of Low Profile Hearing Aids.

Behind-the-ear styles have enjoyed resurgence in popularity over the last decade thanks in part to innovations that make the tiniest BTE hearing aids some of the most cosmetically appealing with very thin ear tubes and ear tips that fade discreetly into the ear canal. They have enough physical space to house features for a variety of hearing losses, have ample battery life and are easy to handle.

BTE hearing aids consist of a hard plastic case worn behind the ear and connected to a plastic earmold that fits inside the outer ear. The electronic parts are held in the case behind the ear. Sound travels from the hearing aid through the earmold and into the ear. BTE aids are used by people of all ages for mild to profound hearing loss.

a.       BTE open-fit hearing aid:

BTE Open Fit Hearing Aid.

Small, open-fit aids fit behind the ear completely, with only a narrow tube inserted into the ear canal, enabling the canal to remain open. For this reason, open-fit hearing aids may be a good choice for people who experience a buildup of earwax, since this type of aid is less likely to be damaged by such substances. In addition, some people may prefer the open-fit hearing aid because their perception of their voice does not sound “plugged up.”

b.      Mini BTE hearing aids with slim tubes and tips:

BTE Vs Mini BTE.

Mini BTE styles are designed to hide behind the outer ear and have ultra-thin tubing to discreetly route sound into the ear. This style is so popular that a greater variety of ear tips have become available in order to accommodate a greater degree of hearing loss with the mini BTE.

c.       Receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) or receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aids:

RIC Hearing Aid.

RITE and RIC styles have the speaker built into the ear tip instead of the main body of the hearing aid. This allows the speaker of the hearing aid to be positioned closer to the eardrum while the microphone and processor sit in a tiny case behind the ear.

d.      BTE hearing aids with ear molds:

BTE Hearing Aid with Ear Mold.

BTE styles that come with ear molds can fit any type of hearing loss, from mild to profound. Their longer shape follows the contour behind the outer ear and can generally house more features, controls and power than any other style of hearing aid.

Adjusting to the Hearing Aid:

Components of a BTE Hearing Aid.

Hearing aids take time and patience to use successfully. Wearing your aids regularly will help you adjust to them.

Become familiar with your hearing aid’s features. With your audiologist present, practice putting in and taking out the aid, cleaning it, identifying right and left aids, and replacing the batteries. Ask how to test it in listening environments where you have problems with hearing. Learn to adjust the aid’s volume and to program it for sounds that are too loud or too soft. Work with your audiologist until you are comfortable and satisfied.

You may experience some of the following problems as you adjust to wearing your new aid:

Ø  My hearing aid feels uncomfortable:

Some individuals may find a hearing aid to be slightly uncomfortable at first. Ask your audiologist how long you should wear your hearing aid while you are adjusting to it.

Ø  My voice sounds too loud:

The “plugged-up” sensation that causes a hearing aid user’s voice to sound louder inside the head is called the occlusion effect, and it is very common for new hearing aid users. Check with your audiologist to see if a correction is possible. Most individuals get used to this effect over time.

Ø  I get feedback from my hearing aid:

A whistling sound can be caused by a hearing aid that does not fit or work well or is clogged by earwax or fluid. See your audiologist for adjustments.

Ø  I hear background noise:

A hearing aid does not completely separate the sounds you want to hear from the ones you do not want to hear. Sometimes, however, the hearing aid may need to be adjusted. Talk with your audiologist.

Ø  I hear a buzzing sound when I use my cell phone:

Some people who wear hearing aids or have implanted hearing devices experience problems with the radio frequency interference caused by digital cell phones. Both hearing aids and cell phones are improving, however, so these problems are occurring less often. When you are being fitted for a new hearing aid, take your cell phone with you to see if it will work well with the aid.

Taking care of the Hearing Aid:

Proper maintenance and care will extend the life of the hearing aid. Make it a habit to:

v  Keep hearing aids away from heat and moisture.

v  Clean hearing aids as instructed. Earwax and ear drainage can damage a hearing aid.

v  Avoid using hairspray or other hair care products while wearing hearing aids.

v  Turn off hearing aids when they are not in use.

v  Replace dead batteries immediately.

v  Keep replacement batteries and small aids away from children and pets.

Available New Types of Hearing Aids:

Although they work differently than the hearing aids described above, implantable hearing aids are designed to help increase the transmission of sound vibrations entering the inner ear.

A.    A middle ear implant (MEI) is a small device attached to one of the bones of the middle ear. Rather than amplifying the sound traveling to the eardrum, an MEI moves these bones directly. Both techniques have the net result of strengthening sound vibrations entering the inner ear so that they can be detected by individuals with sensorineural hearing loss.

Middle Ear Implant.

B.     A bone-anchored hearing aid (BAHA) is a small device that attaches to the bone behind the ear. The device transmits sound vibrations directly to the inner ear through the skull, bypassing the middle ear. BAHAs are generally used by individuals with middle ear problems or deafness in one ear. Because surgery is required to implant either of these devices, many hearing specialists feel that the benefits may not outweigh the risks.

BAHA Auditory Implant.

BAHA Mechanism.

                                         Click Here to Read the Part 01 of Hearing Aids..........

                                     (.....Please scroll down below to buy relevant products.....)

References:

·         Healthy Hearing. 2018. Considering hearing aids? What you need to know about hearing devices. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.healthyhearing.com/help/hearing-aids. [Accessed 20 June 2018].

·         Hearing aids - NHS.UK . 2018. Hearing aids - NHS.UK . [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/hearing-aids/. [Accessed 20 June 2018].

·         Hearing Link. 2018. What is a hearing aid? - Hearing Link. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.hearinglink.org/your-hearing/what-is-a-hearing-aid/. [Accessed 21 June 2018].

·         NIDCD. 2018. Hearing Aids | NIDCD. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing-aids. [Accessed 20 June 2018].

·         Tell me about hearing aids . 2018. Tell me about hearing aids . [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.audiology.org.nz/about-hearing-aids.aspx. [Accessed 20 June 2018].

·         Types of Hearing Aids - Find the Right Hearing Aid for You. 2018. Types of Hearing Aids - Find the Right Hearing Aid for You. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.starkey.com/hearing-aids. [Accessed 21 June 2018].

·         WebMD. 2018. Hearing Aids: The Different Types & How They Work. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/hearing-aids#1. [Accessed 21 June 2018].