Many Hearing aid users are conspicuous about the way their hearing instrument looks; however, this is not something that should be of concern. Looking after your hearing should be a top priority, just how we perceive eye care, dental, etc. When it comes to needing assistance with our hearing, many of us experience some form of self-consciousness about wearing a hearing aid. This is something that should be in the past as with the advancements in technology, the availability of invisible in-the-ear hearing aids are becoming much more common. This is something that can easily solve your hearing problems and you can put your hearing health first.
Invisible hearing aids fit deep into the ear canal and are so discreet that from many angles you cannot visibly see the hearing aid, therefore, making it virtually invisible. The hearing aid is always custom-fitted to the shape and size of the ear canal. This is done by taking a deep ear impression by the audiologist to obtain the correct size and shape of the hearing aid. The Audiologist will also take into consideration your lifestyle and individual hearing requirements to get you hearing to the best of your ability. The size of the hearing aid also makes it very lightweight; this means you can sometimes even forget you are wearing a hearing aid.
For existing hearing aid users an invisible in-the-ear hearing aid seems to be a very attractive option as it can reduce the stigma of wearing a hearing aid as discussed.
Along with being the most discreet solution in the market, invisible hearing aids are also very convenient. Due to the depth of the hearing aid in the ear canal, it means it is much closer to the eardrum providing a better sound quality than the traditional behind-the-ear hearing aid. This also means the hearing aid does not need as much power to reach the same capacity as a behind-the-ear hearing aid. Because the hearing aid is moulded to the shape of the ear canal, this greatly reduces the chances of any feedback or whistling when carrying out activities such as using the telephone. This was a big issue with the traditional style of hearing aid.
The user can also experience a vast improvement in the comfort of the hearing aid. This can be achieved in two ways. Firstly, the hearing aid will create fewer vibrations as it is custom-fitted deep into the ear canal, this means the user will attain a better natural rich sound quality. Secondly, there are no other attachments to the hearing aid such as wires or ear moulds, the sophisticated placement of the invisible hearing aid can allow the user to better understand sound localization, therefore, reducing the amount of guesswork the user may have to do when listening to sounds.
With all the advancements to hearing aids is it easy to see why an invisible in-the-ear hearing aid is always the most popular option.
However, there is some limitation to this style of hearing aid. Clients will need to take into consideration some factors which are beyond the control of the hearing aid dispenser. The level of hearing deterioration is one of the most important factors to consider. The hearing aid would struggle to amplify the sounds for a user who has severe/profound hearing loss. This is due to the limiting space in the actual hearing aid shell itself. The powerful speakers and sound processors would not be able to fit into the shell, therefore, limiting the use for clients with mild/moderate hearing losses.
Dexterity issues can also be a problem. This is because this style of hearing aid uses a very small battery which can be a limiting factor. If this is the case a user may be better suited to a rechargeable hearing aid system.
Another factor to consider would be visual impairment. The hearing aid will need to be placed into the ear canal in a specific direction otherwise the client will not benefit from the sound quality.
If you are not sure which style would suit you best, you can discuss this further with the hearing care professional from Otec Hearing. Discussing your lifestyle, hearing loss, and needs for the system would allow the hearing aid consultant to help you make the best decision for your hearing.
Book your free hearing test and 2-week hearing aid trial with Otec Hearing to see how we can make a difference to your quality of life.
