There are many hearing aids to choose from, but you must select one to suit your individual needs, should you ever need one. Today, we are going to be covering the ‘Invisible in the canal’ (IIC) hearing aid and go through both its positives and negatives.
IIC hearing aids are the smallest and most discreet hearing aid on the market. They are manufactured by taking ear impressions so that they fit entirely into your ear canal. This is what gives them the name ‘invisible’, as they are completely hidden. Because of their size, IIC hearing aids power with a size 10 battery – the smallest hearing aid battery.
There are both advantages and disadvantages to this type of aid. One of the first main advantages of this hearing aid is the fact that it is virtually invisible, this is important to people who may not want people to see that they use a hearing aid. IIC hearing aids are also known for their ease of use when using a telephone, which makes them very practical. On top of this, the position of the microphone within the hearing aid is very good.
However, there are some downsides to using this particular type of hearing aid. One of the main disadvantages is the battery size. As it is so small, an IIC can only last around 3-5 days, which is not a long time in comparison to other hearing aids. Another downside to their size is that they are not suitable for those who suffer from manual dexterity issues. IIC aids are also not the greatest in situations with lots of background noise, which is not ideal when in public places. In addition, IIC hearing aids have been known to be more susceptible to failure as a result of moisture and wax in the ear canal, which can block the microphones.
At Otec Hearing, we ensure that if you need a hearing aid, you are given one that suits your individual needs and requirements.
Get in contact with us for more information on hearing aids by calling us on 01522 305400.