Between 2020 and 2021, the hearing aid center industry grew by 2.4%, representing approximately $2.5 billion in care.
For people facing hearing loss, there is a good chance that they will need medical support and that hearing aids will be recommended for them. Hearing aids are the most common treatment for hearing loss.
Let's take a closer look at what hearing loss is, how hearing aids help, and how to put in and take out these devices.
Degrees of hearing loss
Hearing loss corresponds to a decrease in a person's ability to hear certain frequencies at certain decibel thresholds. A person with normal, healthy hearing naturally has a very low hearing threshold. As hearing degrades or is lost, this hearing threshold rises.
A person whose hearing threshold reaches sixty decibels or more suffers from moderately severe hearing loss. These individuals may have difficulty hearing someone talking directly to them in a noisy environment. It is from this threshold that most people begin to seek financial assistance before starting treatment.
The main types of hearing aids
For people with hearing loss, several factors must be taken into account. Learning about the models of hearing aids available for purchase and how to communicate daily with a hearing impairment can quickly become confusing. Even for the hearing aids themselves, you have to learn how to insert and remove them correctly for them to work.
The good news is that these technological marvels are simple and easy to use. It may seem like a lot to take in, but there are only a few families of hearing aids, and they follow similar rules.
When it comes to hearing aids, there are two main families to know: behind-the-ear (BTE) and in-the-ear (ITE). Whatever model you buy, it will be a variation of one of these two categories.
Behind-the-ear (BTE)
Two types of hearing aids belong to the BTE family: the classic BTE and the RIC (receiver-in-canal). These devices look similar and rely on similar principles to stay in place on the ear.
In general, both consist of two modules connected by a third connecting piece. They anchor to the ear using this piece, with one part of the device sitting in the ear canal and the other placed behind the ear.
The main difference between the two is this: on a classic BTE, the speaker (which can be thought of as the earpiece) is housed in a hard shell that sits behind the ear and is almost forgotten. On a RIC, however, the speaker is placed inside the ear canal itself.
The advantage of a BTE model is that it has more room to accommodate a more powerful battery and speaker. This is an advantage for anyone suffering from more severe hearing loss who needs extra power to amplify frequencies to the desired decibel threshold.
The RIC is also a high-performance device capable of compensating for hearing loss; however, it is not necessarily the right choice when the hearing loss is severe. Its main advantage is that it corrects hearing loss without the weight or visibility of a classic BTE.
In-the-ear (ITE)
This second family of hearing aids also includes two very popular categories. Those who want ITE hearing aids will have to choose between the standard ITE format and the more discreet IIC (invisible-in-canal) format, which is entirely invisible in the canal.
Both are smaller than behind-the-ear models, and both ITEs offer comparable performance. The more visible of the two is a small all-in-one device that can be custom-fitted to your ear. As the name suggests, it sits in the ear and remains easily visible.
Its more discreet cousin is the invisible-in-canal hearing aid. The IIC is also composed of a single module; it is the smallest hearing aid format on the market, designed to fit beyond the entrance of the ear canal, out of sight of an ordinary observer.
Putting in and removing your hearing aids
Putting in and removing your hearing aids can seem intimidating. These devices are not only expensive but also difficult to position correctly in the ears while coordinating with a mirror. We want to reassure you: despite a learning curve, this action is easily mastered.
Here are a few tips to master it.
Behind-the-ear (BTE)
BTE and RIC variants are very similar. However, when placing them on the ear, note that the classic BTE usually uses a metal wire as a connecting piece, while the receiver-in-canal model uses a hollow plastic tube that should not be pinched or crushed.
Both models should be grasped delicately by the top of the device, between the thumb and index finger.
Bring the device toward your ear and position it where the battery is located. This part of the hearing aid slides over the ear and settles gently but firmly behind it. At this point, the second module of the device—commonly called the tip—hangs in front of your ear canal entrance.
A practical tip here: even if you want to be careful, don't be afraid of breaking the device. Be gentle, but firm.
Take the tip and place it into your ear canal. Perform a slight circular movement, rubbing the rim of the canal entrance to properly install this part of the device deeper into the ear canal.
To remove either of these BTE types, simply release the back part of the device from behind the ear, then gently pull on the tip to take it out of the ear canal.
After a few tries, the movement will become a habit. For most people, the learning process is quite fast.
In-the-ear (ITE)
The two ITE formats look similar, except the invisible model has a small wire for removal. These hearing aids are designed to fit into the ear canal and consist of a single piece. Putting them in is similar to putting in earbuds or even earplugs.
Most models have a battery door that must be oriented toward the outside of the ear canal. Once this door is properly oriented, gently insert the end intended for the canal into the ear, then use your thumb and index finger to slide the earpiece into place. A slight rotating movement works well, as the hearing aid is designed to fit in the concha of the ear.
For removal, simply use your index finger to gently release the hearing aid from your ear. Although it is designed to fit snugly in the ear canal, it comes out easily with very little pressure.
For invisible-in-canal hearing aids, the procedure is similar and uses the wire provided by the manufacturer. These devices are small and designed to go unnoticed in the ear canal. Removal may require pushing them in briefly a little deeper; then, the maneuver is the same: simply pull gently on the removal wire. It is important to learn not to pull too abruptly, as the skin of the ear canal is very sensitive.
One size fits all
Our EVI and EV3 hearing aids are one-size-fits-all in-the-ear (ITE) devices designed to be comfortable, secure, and quick to put in and take out. Our design is not custom-made; however, we are convinced that more than ninety percent of people who try our product will find that this comfortable format well meets their hearing needs at an affordable price.
"Learning how to put in and take out your hearing aids is an integral part of the process for successfully using them. Most people become experts very quickly." - Drew Sutton, MD, board-certified otolaryngologist.
If you would like to know more about our high-quality, affordable hearing aids, click here.
Sources:
Quick Statistics About Hearing | NIDCD
Hearing Aid Clinics in the US - Industry Data, Trends, Stats | Ibisworld.com
Degree of Hearing Loss | ASHA.org
How to Put In and Insert Hearing Aids Into Your Ears | Seniorliving.org
