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Styles of Hearing Aids
Hearing aids have been available in four styles: body, eyeglass, behind-the-ear (BTE), and in-the-ear (ITE). Included in the category of ITE hearing aids are in-the-canal (ITC) and completely-in-the-canal (CIC) styles (all shown in the figures below). While body and eyeglass style hearing aids were regularly used 40-50 years ago, they comprise only about 1% of all hearing aids marketed today. Instead, most individuals choose ITE (approximately 80%) or BTE (approximately 20%) style hearing aids. This transition in style, use, and preference is occurring for a number of reasons, including the reduction in the size of the components, durability, and cosmetic concerns on the part of the consumer.
Custom Hearing Instruments
Custom hearing instruments are designed and built from an impression of your ear canal.
Since every ear canal is different, custom hearing instruments are
unique to your ear and can only be worn by you. These custom instruments come in several different
models to meet your needs and are available with digital, programmable or non-programmable circuits.
Below is a list of custom hearing instruments.
In-the-Ear or ITE:
Worn in the bowl of the ear, with circuit and ear mold together in a single piece, the ITE takes natural
advantage of the shape of the ear to channel sound down the canal to the eardrum.
In-the-Canal or ITC:
Worn in the canal of the ear, this small cosmetically appealing hearing instrument also takes advantage
of the shape of the ear to channel incoming sound directly into the ear canal. Some options may be
limited by physical size of the ear canal.
Completely-In-the-Canal or CIC:
Virtually undetectable when worn down in the ear canal, these tiny hearing instruments offer great cosmetic
appeal. The physical limitations imposed by very small ear canals may restrict options.
Behind-The-Ear Hearing Instruments
Behind-The-Ear (BTE) hearing instruments fit outside of the ear canal, behind your ear and are available
with digital, programmable or non-programmable circuits. BTEs may offer more power than custom hearing
instruments. Children and individuals with certain medical conditions may benefit from wearing BTE hearing
instruments. Check with your hearing professional to decide which model and circuit are right for you.
Behind-The-Ear (BTE)
BTE hearing instruments are designed with miniature size components and offer more power and features that
may be more appropriate. These instruments use a slim tubing that hooks into a custom mold that fits in
your ear canal.
Open Fit BTE
The Open Fit digital BTE is designed with a tiny high precision tubing and soft tip that offers added
comfort and is virtually invisible. The Open Fit BTE's unique design enhances speech understanding and
reduces background noise.
Types of Circuits
Hearing instrument circuits can be described and are chosen based on three amplification systems:
Linear vs. Compression
Linear Circuit: Linear hearing instruments are designed to add the same predetermined amount of
amplification to all sounds the hearing instrument receives.
Compression Circuit:
Compression hearing instruments are designed to
automatically adjust the amount of amplification to your comfortable level, reducing unwanted noise,
resulting in a more comfortable listening experience
Analog vs. Digital
Both Analog and Digital instruments convert acoustic energy (sound) into electrical energy, amplify it
and return it to acoustic energy for presentation to your ear. A digital system does this with a series
of 1's and 0's. This allows your hearing health professional to adjust the sound to your specific needs
while providing you with a virtually distortion free hearing instrument.
Non-Programmable vs. Programmable
Non-Programmable Circuit: Non-Programmable hearing instruments utilize manually adjustable screw-like
controls, called potentiometers. Your hearing instrument provider will adjust these controls to meet
your individual hearing needs. These controls can be compared to manually changing the contrast or tint
of your television picture.
Programmable Circuit:
Programmable hearing instruments are adjusted by a computer. This allows
your hearing health professional to provide a more precise fitting.
Contact Mark Glassman, and the team at Glassman's Hearing Aid Service.
Glassman's Hearing Aid Service
Omaha
3015 N 90th St
Ph. 402-571-1207
Fremont
33 W 6th
Ph. 402-727-7866
"My wife
appreciates my hearing aids as much as I do. She claims it has helped my
disposition. I know hearing aids have helped me enjoy my family and
friends."
Chris Gutschow, Fremont, NE