Modern hearing aids are nothing like the big, bulky devices you remember your grandparents complaining about. They are now available in a wide variety of types and styles, helping patients with mild to profound hearing loss find relief. One of the most innovative developments is invisible hearing aids.
Understanding Invisible Hearing Aids
While there are numerous styles of hearing aids, they all have the same three basic components: microphone, amplifier and speaker.
The microphone is responsible for picking up sounds from your environment. When you are shopping at Pioneer Place, the microphone will pick up the music coming through the speakers, the beeping of the scanner at the register and even the conversation of the patrons waiting in line behind you. This information is then sent to the amplifier, which alters these electrical signals. From the amplifier these freshly amplified signals are sent to the speaker. The speaker delivers this sound information to your ear.
Unlike other styles of hearing aids that sit behind the ear, invisible hearing aids are placed deep within the ear canal and are, you guessed it, virtually invisible.
There are three styles of invisible hearing aids: invisible-in-canal (IIC), completely-in-canal (CIC) and in-the-canal (ITC).
Invisible Hearing Aid Considerations
There are a number of invisible hearing aids on the market made by different manufactures. In order to pick the best one for you, you will need to take a number of factors into consideration.
Price
While invisible hearing aids are generally comparable in price to other popular styles, some models are more expensive.
Battery Usage
Rechargeable batteries are the most requested hearing aid feature, but because of the size, most invisible hearing aids require disposable batteries. They typically drain batteries quickly, requiring frequent changing.
Connectivity
Because of their limited size, invisible hearing aids are almost always controlled through a smartphone app. This allows the user to adjust the setting or volume right from their phone.
Maintenance
Since these devices sit so deep within the ear canal, they come into contact with earwax, dirt and debris. Depending on the style of invisible hearing aid you select, your audiologist will walk you through the proper cleaning process.
To learn more about this unique style of hearing aid or to schedule an appointment with a hearing aid expert, contact Oregon Ear, Nose & Throat Center today.