Finding the Right Device at the Hearing Center

When it comes to choosing a device, which is designed to help you hear, you have a variety of options to consider. The doctor at your local hearing center will help you determine the extent of ear damage so you can narrow down the style options: Completely-In-The-Canal Devices, which fit entirely into the canal, offer the aesthetic advantage of being barely visible to others. If you're self-conscious about wearing a hearing aid, this may be a great option for you. Completely-In-The-Canal models are designed for adults who are experiencing mild to moderate hearing loss. Since it's positioned so far into the ear, it's unlikely to pick up wind noise while you're outside. And it's fairly easy to hear when you're talking on the telephone. Some disadvantages that users have mentioned include the small batteries, which tend to have a shorter life, and the lack of extra features such as volume control or directional microphones. In-The-Canal An In-The-Canal device is a little more visible than the Completely-In-The-Ear device, but it includes some extra features that don't fit on the smaller option. Most hearing center doctors recommend this model to combat mild to moderate hearing loss. While this device does contain some extra features, they may be difficult to adjust due to their smaller size. Also, the In-The-Canal model isn't always the most comfortable for those with smaller ears. Half Shell The Half-Shell is custom-fit to sit in the bowl-shaped area of your outer ear. It's also used to improve mild to moderate loss. You'll probably enjoy the easier handling as well as the extra features that are more easily operated on these larger models. And since it's custom-fitted, it's sure to fit comfortable into your ear. The one disadvantage is that this device is bigger and quite noticeable. In-The-Ear (Full Shell) The hearing center staff will probably recommend this model for you if you have severe loss since it's designed to help combat mild to severe loss. This design is also custom-fitted and fills most of the bowl-shaped space of your outer ear. It's usually fairly easy to insert and uses larger batteries, which will probably provide a longer battery life. The larger batteries are also easier to handle when it comes time to replace them. Some disadvantages associated with this model include the larger size, which will definitely be visible to others. And since the device sits outside the inner ear, it may pick up wind noise, which may cause an annoyance during outdoor activities. Behind-The-Ear This device is one of the biggest, but it is appropriate for all ages and helps to improve all types of hearing loss. The microphone on this device picks up sound and sends the amplified version into the ear through a mold which fits into your ear canal Open-Fit If you struggle with high-frequency loss, this slightly smaller device may be a great choice. It allows you to use your normal ability to hear low-frequency sounds, and amplifies high frequency so you can hear clearly. The doctor at your local hearing center will help you find the device that will work best for you based on your type of hearing loss, size of your ear, and your preferences.