Different Types of Hearing Aids for Various Users

Author: rebeccakavel | Posted: 11.02.2012

Hearing aids are a class of sound-amplifying device that help people with hearing impairment or disabilities to hear clearer and better. A lot of hearing aids have the same mechanical component which includes a microphone to amplify sounds, loudspeaker to deliver the amplified sound and batteries to keep the whole component working. But hearing aids mainly differ in design and technology (i.e. digital or analog).

What are the Different Styles of Hearing Aids?

Behind-the-ear (BTE) Aids – This type of hearing aid is contained in a small plastic case and is placed behind the ear. This small plastic case encloses the whole hearing aid component and is subsequently connected in the earpiece with clear tubing. This is preferably given to children because its earmold can easily be adjusted. BTE aids are sturdier because of its support in the ear's pinna or outer part.

Mini BTE Aids – Mini BTE's are also called on-the-ear devices because they are less visible compared to the former BTE. Mini BTEs are smaller and uses a very thin and small invincible tube that connects the aid in the ear canal. This hearing aid looks like modern earplugs that reduce the appearance and sensation of a plugged-like device plus better comfort. This is ideal for people who may have cosmetic concerns.

In-the-ear (ITE) and Complete-in-the-Canal Aids (CIC) – These hearing aid products are enclosed in a tiny case that either fit partially or complete inside the ear's canal. This is ideal for people who have reservations about having hearing aids that are too visible for the public to see. These devices not only have cosmetic advantages but listening as well. A well-mounted ITE or CIC in the canal would usually deliver better quality sound through. But some people find it hard to adjust the device because it's installed inside.

What is the Difference between Analog and Digital Hearing Aids?

An analog hearing aid makes sound waves louder to become audible. Analogs mainly amplifying sounds (speech or noise) and can adjust according to where the sound is coming. Some hearing aid for sale is programmable to adjust to a quiet surrounding (i.e. library) or a noisy place like a soccer field. Analogs have multiple programs to adjust to various settings by controllable on the device itself through buttons.

A digital hearing aid is basically the same but it has the ability to convert sound waves into digital sound signal and produce certain sound duplication. Digital hearing aids also make it possible to understand certain speech by sophisticated control for these hearing aid products. If analog can amplify a certain sound say a piano piece, a digital aid can shape that amplification according to clarity and changing pitch

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