When looking for a hearing aid for yourself or a loved one you’ll encounter a range of designs and shapes, and one of the more common is In-the-Ear (ITE). In-the-ear hearing aids are a popular choice for individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss. They are custom-made to fit comfortably in the lower portion of the outer ear. Read on to learn more about the advantages and disadvantages of ITE hearing aids.
Each ITE hearing aid is custom made for the wearer because it must fit the exact shape of your ear. If you choose to use this type of device, your hearing professional will use a mold to make sure it fits your ear perfectly. This tailor-fit is to ensure that the aid produces high quality sound and to eliminate feedback, but it offers the additional advantage of being very comfortable. All of the hearing aid components fit inside the case. That means that the in-the-ear hearing aid has no external tubes or wires. Overall they are easy to use being very lightweight and comfortable.
In-the-ear hearing aids have a number of auditory advantages, including their superior ability to pick up on high-frequency sounds. This is due to their placement in relation to the outer ear, which collects and focuses many high frequency sound waves. Additionally, because this type of hearing aid is recessed in the ear, many people are able to use telephones and headsets normally. This type of hearing aid’s small size can be both an advantage and a disadvantage.
The devices are easy to camouflage in the ear, making them a good choice for wearers who are self-conscious about their need for a hearing aid. However, this small size also causes a short battery life and keeps them from having all the features found in some other devices. Their small size also keeps people who have poor eyesight or motor control from easily operating the controls and replacing the batteries.
As with all the hearing aid styles available, in-the-ear hearing aid has both advantages and disadvantages. A hearing aid specialist can help you evaluate your options and make recommendations based on your needs and preferences.