Personal style is something everyone seeks to cultivate when it comes to appearance. Our styles and tastes are an integral part of what makes us unique, and they form a legitimate part of our identity. Decisions guided by our personal preferences permeate our entire lives. Even if you don't often think about fashion or style, your daily choices still express something unique.
Hearing loss is a health condition that affects many people. It is, in fact, one of the most common forms of disability. If you are looking for a hearing aid that is less visible than the ones you currently wear, CLARIA may have the solution for you.
Hearing loss can affect anyone
Hearing loss can occur naturally with age, result from health problems, or even be present from birth. Our hearing ability relies on delicate mechanisms located in the ear that capture the frequencies of sound waves and transmit them to the brain, which interprets them as sounds.
There's a simple reason why everyone is susceptible to hearing loss: we constantly use our ears. This constant use leads to natural wear and tear, which can, over time, degrade hearing. Exposure to loud noises without adequate hearing protection accelerates this process and worsens hearing loss.
In addition, factors such as trauma or heredity can cause hearing impairment or even total deafness. The main takeaway: we are all concerned, and most people will experience some form of hearing loss.
How can I make my hearing aid more discreet?
If you suffer from hearing loss, a good question to ask yourself is: what level of visibility do I want for my hearing aids?
Some people don't care whether their device is visible or not: it's all a matter of personal preference. There are lightweight and invisible models for those who prefer their hearing aid to go unnoticed.
However, this doesn't make the choice easy. In the world of hearing aids, many other criteria come into play besides aesthetics. You also need to consider features, sound processing power, battery life, and ease of maintenance.
Finding the right pair of hearing aids is not just about aesthetics: it's primarily about getting a device that will truly improve your hearing.
The different types of hearing aids
As hearing loss is one of the most common disabilities, the market for devices and treatments designed to restore good hearing is immense. Searching for a hearing aid can therefore quickly become confusing.
Not only are there countless brands and commercial promises, but there are also several formats of hearing aids. When determining which device is right for you, several factors deserve your attention.
For example, there are two main families of hearing aids: behind-the-ear (BTE) and in-the-ear (ITE).
Invisible hearing aids belong to the in-the-ear (ITE) family. They are worn somewhat like Bluetooth headphones: they fit under the surface of the outer ear, in the ear canal. This type of device is therefore difficult for those around you to spot.
Let's take a closer look at these two formats and what each has to offer.
Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids
Behind-the-ear hearing aids are the largest format on the market. These devices generally consist of two clearly visible components, connected by a wire or plastic tube.
The largest part sits behind the ear, conforming to the auricle and protecting essential components such as the processor or battery. The receiver, meanwhile, sits in the ear, and both components usually remain visible.
The advantage of behind-the-ear hearing aids: they generally offer more processing power, better battery life, and multiple microphones. People with moderately severe to severe hearing loss are more likely to opt for this format. They choose it precisely because the device's larger size allows for more power in use.
In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids
All ITE hearing aids follow the same principle: they form a single unit that sits directly in the ear canal. There are several variations, and not all of them are completely invisible.
ITE: the largest format
The largest of these formats is called ITE. These models have volume control and more space for the battery. This is the best option if your hearing loss is significant.
They are custom-molded to your ear and can be adapted to your precise needs. They fit in the concha of the ear and are not invisible.
In-the-canal (ITC): the intermediate format
Another variant of ITEs is in-the-canal. These hearing aids are custom-molded to the shape of your ear and fit partially into the ear canal.
This intermediate format is primarily suitable for people with moderate to moderately severe hearing loss.
Completely-in-canal (CIC): the smallest format
The last format is CIC, for "Completely-in-Canal." As its name suggests, this type of device sits entirely in the ear canal, making it the smallest and most discreet hearing aid on the market.
These invisible hearing aids go completely unnoticed. However, they have their limitations: their small size leaves less room for processing power, amplification, and battery. In other words, these devices are not suitable for moderately severe or severe hearing loss. Their battery life is also the shortest, and they can only accommodate a single microphone.
If your hearing loss is mild to moderate, a CIC model is the ideal choice. They are also the smallest, and therefore the most delicate to insert and remove: a small wire is needed to help the wearer extract them from their ear canal.
Conclusion
Choosing the right hearing aid format for you is not insurmountable. Depending on the degree of your hearing loss, different formats will improve your hearing more or less effectively.
CLARIA has designed two ITE-type hearing aids. Our over-the-counter, one-size-fits-all devices are manufactured with guaranteed quality. Our goal: to offer you invisible hearing aids that are both effective and affordable. Click here to learn more about EV1 and EV3 and see if they best meet your hearing needs.
"The key to finding the best solution is often to try different hearing aid formats. Above all, they must be effective and fit well. Aesthetics sometimes take a back seat." - Drew Sutton, MD, board-certified otolaryngologist.
Sources:
Hearing aids: How to choose the right one | Mayo Clinic
Degrees of hearing loss | Hearing Health Foundation
Hearing Loss: Hearing Aids, Causes, Symptoms, Treatment & Types | Clevelandclinic.org
