If you have deafness problems, the good news is that you can remedy it with hearing aids. There are different types around so you just have to find out which one is ideal for you.
But what is a hearing aid? It is simply an instrument that amplifies sound. Since hearing loss is different for each individual, it has to be configured manually to detect sound pitches at all levels.
Here, we will talk about 4 types of hearing aids. These are namely the completely in the canal instruments, the in the canal instruments, the in the ear instruments, behind the ear, open fit or over the ear hearing aid and bone anchored hearing aids.
The completely in the canal instrument or CIC is considered to be the best one around because it is so small that no one will notice that you are wearing it. Each one is custom made and this is designed for people who are suffering from mild to moderate hearing loss.
Next is the in the canal instrument or ITC. This is bigger since it has to occupy the entire ear canal. It is very flexible and designed to manage a wide range of hearing needs.
Then there is the in the ear instrument or ITE. This usually fits into the cradle position of the ear and just like the ITC, can handle a wide range of hearing needs. It is a little bigger than the ITC and is also custom made to shape the patient’s ear.
The behind the ear is placed behind the ear and connected using a plastic ear mold that fits inside the outer ear. This is only used by individuals who have mild to profound hearing loss.
You also have the “Open-fit” or “Over-the-Ear” hearing aids. This is a small plastic case that is placed behind the ear with a clear tube running into the ear canal with a mold inside to hold it in place. The new design helps to reduce the occlusion effect which was seen in other models.
Lastly is the bone anchored hearing aid. Similar to a cochlear implant, the patient has to undergo surgery so that the skull can be used as a pathway for sound to travel to the inner ear. If ever the patient has conductive losses, the BAHA bypasses the external auditory canal and middle ear, stimulating the functioning cochlea.
Should anyone who has hearing problems wear a hearing aid? Not for children below seven years of age because the ear is still growing so it will be too costly to make another one just to fit the patient’s ear. It is also not recommended for safety reasons because the hearing aid is made of hard plastic and this could be damaged when the child is playing and that could also cause injury to the child’s ear canal.
There was a time that deaf people had to cup their hand behind the ear to hear what the other person was saying. The ear trumpet soon followed that until hearing aids were invented. The only problem with that was it was too big and this was usually worn on the chest or body. Fortunately, technology has made it smaller so no one will even notice that you are wearing it until they are up close.