Hearing Aids
Hearing Aids – Styles, Features, and Technology
When it comes to hearing aids, there is no shortage of options, brands, styles, and features. Subsequently, the cost of hearing aids can range depending on the technology used and the number of features on the hearing aid. The technology used in hearing aids also ranges from basic to premium level. The basic level hearing aids usually require manual adjustments to the volume based on the listening environment, whereas premium level hearing aids can adjust automatically to the environment and any changes detected by the hearing aid.
When selecting a style of hearing aid, a few things are taken into consideration:
- The Extent of Hearing Loss
- Budget
- Appearance
- Skin Sensitivity
- Lifestyle
- Anatomical/Medical Considerations
What are the different styles of hearing aids?
Several different styles of hearing aids are available, including:
In The Ear (ITE)
Hearing aids that are worn inside the ear are made custom-fit and based on impressions of your ear. This style of hearing aid is usually designed in various skin tones and can be colour-matched to your skin, so it blends in well. The different types of ITE hearing aids include:
Invisible In Canal (IIC)
This style of hearing aid is designed for individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss. The IIC style is the smallest custom style that is placed past the second bend of the ear canal and is largely hidden from view.
Completely In Canal (CIC)
For a virtually invisible hearing aid, the CIC style is the ideal choice. These hearing aids sit completely within the ear canal and are designed for individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss.
In The Canal (ITC)
The ITC style of hearing aid is designed to sit within the lower portion of the outer ear bowl. This style is relatively larger and can host some additional features such as volume controls, and usually have longer battery life. The ITC style is designed for individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss.
Full Shell In The Ear (ITE)
The ITE style sits within the entire ear bowl, and due to its relatively large size, it contains the maximum number of features such as directional microphones. This style can be used by individuals with severe hearing loss, due to its large battery size and ability to supply enough power.
Behind The Ear (BTE)
The BTE style of hearing aid is designed to sit behind or on top of the outer ear. It contains wiring, which helps to guide sound into the ear and connects to an ear tip to make sure that it is secured in the ear canal. BTE hearing aids can be found in natural skin tones to help blend into your skin, or are available in several colours and patterns. Similar to ITE hearing aids, the size of the instrument dictates the features it contains and the battery type it can house. The different types of BTE hearing aids include:
Receiver In-Ear (RIC)
The RIC style of hearing aid appears similar to the Mini BTE styles; the difference being the speaker is incorporated in the ear tip rather than the main body of the device. The RIC models are designed for individuals with mild to severe hearing loss. RIC hearing aids can give a more natural and crisper sound quality. It can also be the most discreet and invisible. RIC style is currently the most popular style of hearing aids.
Mini BTE With slim tube and tip
This style of hearing aid is designed to hide behind the outer ear with the help of its ultra-thin wiring. The wiring connects to a soft tip which is located in the ear canal. The soft tip does not close the opening of the ear canal, allowing airflow and sound to enter the ear naturally. This open-fitting style is designed for individuals with mild to moderate high-frequency hearing loss.
BTEs with Earmold
The BTEs with Earmold is designed to contour the area behind the outer ear and can house many features. It’s designed for individuals with severe to profound hearing loss.
What brands of hearing aids do we offer?
At Hear Clear Canada, we offer a wide variety of brand named hearing devices. Since we are an independently owned client, we can recommend hearing aids from any hearing aid manufacturer in Canada to provide you with the best options to suit your needs. At Hear Clear Canada, we carry the following brands:
How much do hearing aids cost?
Similar to the large range of types, styles, and features contained in hearing aids, the cost of hearing aids can vary widely as well. At Hear Clear Canada, hearing aids can range in price from $1,500 to $4,400 per pair. The cost of your hearing aid is dependent on many different aspects, including your level of hearing loss, lifestyle, and your hearing needs. The first step to getting fitted with hearing aids is to book your free hearing test with Hear Clear Canada. Once your hearing evaluation is completed, we provide our recommendations for the type of hearing aid best suited to your needs. At Hear Clear Canada, we don’t want cost to hold you back from restoring your hearing. We work with all of our customers and tailor the cost of hearing aids to their budgets, in addition to offering a 12-month interest-free payment plan and up to 3-year low-interest plans. We are committed to providing the best hearing devices at the lowest prices.
