Hearing Aids: ITE, ITC, and BTE Types

My uncle has difficulty distinguishing speech at a distance of more than a couple of meters. He also has trouble following conversations in groups. For these reasons, he's wearing a hearing aid. His audiologist (hearing aid specialist) recommended the ITE (in the ear) hearing aid type after the test on his hearing disability revealed that it is a case of severe hearing loss.

It is estimated that about seventy-five percent of people with hearing loss don't wear a hearing aid. This is unfortunate since these people may, in all probability, suffer from increasing isolation and even depression. A hearing aid works by amplifying sounds; it can also aid in hearing high-pitched sounds if adjusted specifically for this purpose. With this device, a person may indeed feel that he or she has recovered his/her hearing, although the quality and tone of the sounds he/she hears are different. Audiologists point out, however, that a hearing aid does not have the capacity to clarify sounds; it merely increases their loudness. Additionally, it is not able to amplify selectively; with it, all sounds will go up in volume.

A hearing aid basically has five parts: a microphone that translates sound into electronic signals; an amplifier that augments these electronic signals; a speaker that transforms the signals to sound; a volume control; and a battery that supplies power to the device. Once the test on your hearing disability has been completed and a decision for you to get a hearing aid has been reached and agreed, your audiologist will then direct you to the type that will be most effective for your particular condition.

Three types of hearing aids are discussed here. The first one is mentioned in the beginning, again the type that my uncle wears. The ITE type, which fits in the ear's opening, provides a high-quality reproduction of high-pitched sounds while lessening the vexatious "wind" sounds. It, however, increases the risk of the shrill electronic feedback. One particular drawback of this device is that since it sits in the ear, it can become clogged with wax and need frequent cleaning. The ITE type of hearing aid is recommended for people with moderate to severe hearing loss.

The ITC (in the canal) type of hearing aid (or CIC, for completely in the canal) is the least obtrusive type. It is likewise the most popular as it is almost entirely invisible to the eye. Since this device rests closer to the eardrum, sound may be clearer. Its controls are difficult to reach though, and it takes good manual adroitness to get this device into the ear. The ITC type of hearing aid is designed for people with mild to moderate hearing loss.

For people with profound hearing loss, the BTE (behind the ear) type of hearing aid is best. Most of the components in this device sit in a casing that is placed behind the ear. Apart from being the most reliable and least expensive type of hearing aid, this device may likewise offer the clearest and loudest sound. One disadvantage is that it is large and can be noticed easily.

Audiologists advise those who decide on getting a hearing aid to be prepared to be patient; they will need to spend time adjusting their device to conform to their specific requirements. If the device does not fit perfectly, or if it is not tuned precisely, the person wearing it may be overwhelmed by extraneous noises. [Read the Original Article]