Hearing loss can be frustrating and overwhelming, but a good hearing aid can make all the difference. However, with so many styles of hearing aids available on the market, it can be tough to choose the right one. One of the most important factors to consider is comfort.
After all, you’ll be wearing your hearing aid for several hours a day, and you don’t want discomfort to interfere with your quality of life. So, which style offers the best comfort?
Let’s explore some of the most popular hearing aid styles and their comfort levels:
1. Behind-the-Ear (BTE) Hearing Aids
One of the most popular hearing aid styles is the Behind-the-Ear (BTE) hearing aid. This type of hearing aid sits behind the ear, and the sound travels to your ear through a tube and an ear mold. BTE hearing aids are comfortable because they’re not inserted in the ear canal and they don’t hamper the ear canal. They’re also easy to use and maintain, making them a popular choice for people with active lifestyles.
2. In-the-Ear (ITE) Hearing Aids
In-the-Ear (ITE) hearing aids are custom-made to fit your outer ear. With this type of hearing aid, the entire device sits in the ear canal, making it less visible than BTE hearing aids. ITE hearing aids offer natural sound quality and are comfortable because of their custom fit.
3. Receiver-in-Canal (RIC) Hearing Aids
Receiver-in-Canal (RIC) hearing aids are similar to BTE hearing aids, but they have a small speaker that goes directly into the ear canal. This allows for natural sound quality and eliminates the occlusion effect of traditional hearing aids.
4. Completely-in-Canal (CIC) Hearing Aids
Completely-in-Canal hearing aids are the smallest type of hearing aid and are custom-made to fit entirely in the ear canal. CIC hearing aids are comfortable because they’re not visible and are custom fit to your ear. They also offer excellent sound quality, but their small size can make them difficult to handle and adjust.
5. Invisible-in-Canal (IIC) Hearing Aids
Invisible-in-Canal hearing aids are the smallest and most discreet hearing aids available. Custom-made to fit deep inside the ear canal, they’re virtually invisible. IIC hearing aids are comfortable because they’re so small and don’t block the ear canal.
Choosing the right hearing aid style depends on your personal preference, lifestyle, and level of hearing loss. Ultimately, the best way to choose the most comfortable hearing aid style is to talk to your audiologist or hearing healthcare provider, who can guide you through the selection process and recommend the best option for your needs.
