Hearing loss is something everyone faces with age, but hearing aids can go a long way toward improving communication and your quality of life. There are many types of hearing aids available today that can substantially improve your ability to hear and listen. Here's what you should know about choosing the right type of hearing aid.

How Does a Hearing Aid Work?

A hearing aid can't restore a normal level of hearing but it can improve your hearing ability by amplifying sounds. Hearing aids use a few basic components to carry sound into the hearing canal and make them louder and easier to hear. Today, most hearing aids are digital rather than analog and all use a battery for power.

The hearing aid's microphone picks up environmental sounds, which are converted into digital code with a computer chip and amplifier. The computer analyzes and adjusts sound levels based on your level of hearing loss and the level of sounds in the environment. Once the signals are amplified, they are converted to sound waves again and delivered to the ear canal through speakers.

Choosing the Right Hearing Aid

There are many factors that determine which style of hearing aid will work best for you. If you have problems with dexterity, it may be best to choose a low profile ITE aid or BTE hearing aid with an earmold and automated features that will not require adjustment. If you are more concerned with cosmetics, smaller ITC or CIC hearing aids can be almost impossible to detect.

CIC and ITC hearing aids, however, are best for only mild to moderate hearing loss. If your hearing loss is severe, a low profile ITE, ITC, or BTE with an earmold and advanced features will be the best option.

Types of Hearing Aids

There are two primary types of hearing aids: in the ear (ITE) and behind the ear (BTE) hearing aids. The right option will depend on your comfort, dexterity, whether you wear eyeglasses, and your level of hearing loss.

ITE hearing aids are worn in your ear. Most are a custom fit made from an impression taken by a hearing professional. As the name implies, BTE devices rest on top of or behind the ear and have a tube that connects to an ear piece to transmit sound. There are also sub-types of each style of hearing aid:

• Mini BTE hearing aids are a newer style that fit on or behind the ear with a smaller profile. This style has nearly invisible tubes to connect the hearing aid to the ear canal and they are more comfortable than standard BTE hearing aids.
• In-the-canal (ITC) aids fit in a tiny case that sits mostly within the ear canal. They are among the smallest hearing aids available, although they can be difficult to adjust.
• Completely-in-the-canal (CIC) hearing aids are the smallest option. This is a good choice if you are concerned about your hearing aid being visible, but they are prone to becoming clogged with earwax.

Top 5 Routes for “Choosing the Best Hearing Aids”

1. FDA - The Food and Drug Administration offers a thorough overview of the different styles of hearing aids and an explanation of technology and features that may be helpful.
2. Mayo Clinic - The Mayo Clinic goes over the types of hearing aids and advice for choosing the right style and technology to fit your needs.
3. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) - The NIDCD maintains a large database of information on hearing aids with a buying guide, overview of styles, hearing aid research, and information about financial assistance.
4. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association - The ASHA is an organization of professionals in hearing and speech. This resource explores common myths about hearing aids to help explain how they work.
5. Better Hearing Institute - The Better Hearing Institute has a helpful resource explaining what you can expect with a hearing aid and what it can and cannot do.