People bothered by the problem of hearing loss have to fall back upon hearing aid devices. There was a time when these devices were not very good looking and stuck out like sore thumbs. With time, they have morphed into better designs and functionality. In the present times, you will find a wide number of hearing aid devices available. If you classify them according to their root function and use, there are four types of hearing aids. They are ITE (in the ear), CIC (completely in canal), ITC (in the canal) and BTE (behind the ear). All the hearing aid apparatus that you find around can be slotted in one of these categories.

Now, let us take a close look at hearing aid devices that can be found for people with hearing loss:

  • Body-worn Hearing Aids: This model is one of the earliest hearing aid devices that were available to people. It consists of a case the size of a pack of cards, an ear mold and a cable wire. The case is supposed to be carried in a pocket. This kind of hearing aids is not much in vogue anymore. They have been replaced by more user-friendly BTE devices.
  • BTE: Behind the ear hearing aids are much smaller in size than body-worn hearing aids. The case is very small and can comfortably fit behind the ear’s pinna. The amplification module is contained in the case. There is a tube that connects the case with the ear mold.
  • ITE: In the ear hearing aids are expected to be inserted inside the outer portion of the ear, technically known as the concha. ITE hearing aids are personalized according to the person with hearing loss. It can be used for partial hearing loss.
  • RITE: Receiver in the ear hearing aids offer a much smoother sound routing than the model that it borrows its design from: the BTE aids. The receiver is placed inside the ear canal, ensuring that the amplified sound is not lost in translation, as the case usually is when using BTE hearing aids. In other words, RITE is ideal for those with severe hearing loss. The major advantage of using RITE hearing aids, other than the much better sound amplification, is that these can hardly be seen. They also have an open-fit mechanism and does not block up the ear.
  • CIC: Completely in canal hearing aids are hardly visible when someone wears them. That is why they often have a cosmetic value for people who are in the entertainment industry. The only downside of CIC hearing aid is that they block up the ear. These devices are not advisable for people who are not threatened by severe hearing loss.
  • Open-fit Devices: A recent modification to the traditional BTE hearing aids, open-fit devices are recommended for two reasons primarily: first, they are less likely to be seen than BTE models and secondly, they do not tend to block up the ear. People who can hear low frequencies can use open-fit devices.

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