What Are the Main Devices to Help with Hearing Loss?

When you experience hearing loss, you want a solution. And nowadays, there are plenty of options to choose from to assist you with this. Although the typical option is a hearing aid that you wear daily, there are other devices available on the market that can help with hearing loss:

Hearing aids 

In the modern-day, there are a variety of different hearing aids to choose from. Compact and easy to use, they are many benefits that you can reap from investing in them, including:

• Improve your ability to hear conversations
• Give you the confidence to be in a range of different environments – no matter how busy or quiet they are. 
• Reduced annoyance of Tinnitus
• An overall better quality of life

When choosing a hearing aid, you will want to consider what you require for your lifestyle, the degree of your hearing loss, the dexterity of the device, your budget and any related medical considerations. 

As there are a range of types available in unique sizes, you might want to try out a selection before you settle on the right one for you.

Of course, if you’re unsure as to which one is suitable for your needs, it’s advisable to book an appointment with your audiologist. However, to point you in the right direction, here are the most common styles available:

• In the ear (ITE): Custom-fit, these types of hearing aids will fill the external area of your ear. To have one of these created, a cast will have to be made of your ear. Available in different colors, they can’t be seen from behind unlike other types. Underneath this umbrella, there are a few different styles to select from, each varying in size and capability:
• Invisible in canal (IIC): Popular due to their small size, these devices will sit invisibly within the ear canal. Ideal for those with mild to moderate hearing loss, they offer a good sound quality due to their position within the ear.
• Completely in canal (CIC):  Another compact style, CIC hearing aids will fit deeply within the ear canal. Almost invisible, they are considered to be one of the most appealing cosmetically. Both CIC’s and IIC’s typically don’t come with manual controls and adjust automatically, making them very convenient to the user.
• Behind the ear (BTE): Sitting behind or on the top of your ear, behind-the-ear hearing aids route the sound into the ear canal via a dome or earmold style feature. Available in a range of colors and personalized design, they feature batteries that will need to be replaced up to 30 days at a time.
• In the canal (ITC): The third most common type of hearing aid is ITC. These devices will sit in the lower part of your outer ear. Featuring a long battery life as well as directional microphones and volume controls, they are very convenient and discreet. 
• BTE with earmold: As well as domes, BTEs with earmolds are available. Following the contour behind the outer ear, they are designed to cater for all types of hearing loss and can be easily reprogrammed.

Other assistive devices

There are many other types of options and devices available to you to improve your hearing aid experience, including:

Infra-red systems

Converting sounds into infra-red-light waves, the volume of these clever devices can be individually adjusted. Whether you’re watching television or in the theater, they can prove to be very useful when coupled with a hearing aid.

FM systems

These state-of-the-art devices will transmit wireless FM transmission from a sound system into the receiver. Accompanied with a receiver and a neck loop or headphone, there are an advanced assistive device.

Mobile phone amplifiers/telephone amplifiers

Ideal for those with a T-coil, they allow users to hear better when using a mobile phone. Utilizing a wire loop that goes around the neck, it will transmit sounds from the phone into the hearing aid.

Similarly, there are amplified telephones that are available for those with hearing loss. Equipped with flashing lights, volume controls and frequency emphasis they make using a telephone far more convenient. 

Hearing loops

These assistive devices include a copper wire that’s placed within a certain room that’s connected to a public sound system. Creating an electromagnetic field, it connects directly with hearing aids or implants.

Do you want to find out more about hearing aids?

Then don’t hesitate to get in contact with Rametta Audiology & Hearing Aid Center today by calling us at our Tarentum branch at (724) 409-4439 or our Vandergrift center on (724) 567-3233.