In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aid

Pros

• Virtually invisible – Variations of the in-ear hearing aids – like invisible-in-the-canal (IIC) – are 100% invisible. This device is great for people who are reluctant to wear hearing aids because they might feel too self-conscious. Since these mini hearing aids fit inside the ear, no one except you will even know you’re wearing them!

• Custom fit – In-ear hearing aids use custom earmolds or domes that are an exact fit for the contours of your ears. This ensures maximum comfort. It can take as little as 10 minutes to get the perfect impression of your ear and create a custom earmold! The device will easily sit inside your ear and you won’t have to worry about it falling out.

• Alternative models available – If you’re experiencing problems with vision or dexterity, you can always opt for larger in-ear models like in-the-canal (ITC) that are easier to clean, maintain, and place in the ear.

Cons

• Frequent battery change – While in-ear devices are great for discretion, the small battery size can sometimes present a problem, and you’ll need to keep a spare set handy, especially when you’re on the go.

• Since the batteries used to operate these near-invisible devices are incredibly small, they’ll need to be changed frequently.

• Lack of features – Due to the small size of the device, the device may lack manual volume and memory controls, directional microphones, etc.

While these pros and cons apply to in-the-ear devices in general, it’s good to consult with an audiologist at one of our 1000+ partner locations to ascertain which specific in-ear hearing aid model (ITC, CIC, or IIC) you should wear. After assessing your hearing health and enquiring about your hearing preferences and lifestyle, our professionals will recommend the best in-ear hearing aid for you.

Appearance

• In-the-ear hearing aids are a great option if you’re looking for a particularly discreet device. The tiniest of these – completely-in-canal (CIC) and invisible-in-the-canal (IIC) are virtually invisible to the naked eye!

• The behind-the-ear hearing aid on the other hand rests on the back of the outer ear and transmits sound to the ear through a very discreet tube. Variations of BTE like receiver in canal (RIC) use a loudspeaker or receiver that’s situated outside the casing behind the ear. Instead, the receiver is positioned at the end of a thin ear wire near the eardrum. This produces a superior listening experience. BTE’s today are typically quite tiny too.

Fit

• In-ear devices offer a secure fit because they’re customized to the shape of your ear. It’s almost impossible for them to fall out.

• It’s quite easy to fit people with a BTE hearing aid since a portion of it sits at the back of the ear. But it might be easier to lose this device as compared to an in-ear hearing aid since a part of it rests on the outer portion of the ear.

Comfort and sound quality

• While an in-ear model might be 100% invisible, it may offer a “plugged up” feeling in some cases.
• BTE models – especially RIC devices – come in open-fit models that do not use earmolds. Sound is transmitted to the ear via a small tube with a tip at the end of it that sits within the ear canal. This small tip allows for air and sound to pass through the ear very easily and facilitates more natural hearing.

Maintenance

• Since the in-ear devices sit inside the ear for a long time, they’ll need to be cleaned periodically to remove dirt, ear wax, and moisture.

• Since a portion of the BTE model sits behind the ear, it accumulates less dirt.

Both in-the-ear and behind-the-ear models are great options and equally advanced. Note that which model you should opt for comes down to your hearing needs, preferences, lifestyle, and the audiologist’s referral. It is best to speak with our professionals to ascertain which model is more suitable for you.

When hearing loss occurs, it is more profound in one ear. However, this doesn’t mean you should use a hearing aid in one ear only. Human hearing is designed for both ears, and the technical term for this is “binaural hearing”. Both ears must work in conjunction with each other to identify and perceive sounds. You might be tempted to go against an audiologist’s recommendation and limit costs by purchasing a single hearing aid, but the reality is that if binaural hearing is not corrected with two hearing aids, your brain will have difficulty processing sounds. This will result in discomfort and fatigue.

If your concern is that wearing two hearing aids is too conspicuous, not to worry! Our audiologists will recommend the best in-ear hearing aids that comfortably sit deep inside the ear canal and are virtually invisible! Thanks to miniaturized technology, tiny in-ear hearing aids pack a ton of groundbreaking technology into a small device. Today’s hearing aids are so discreet that no one but you will even notice them! According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), only 20% of people who could benefit from hearing aids actually wear them. So take the plunge – wear both hearing aids – and join an elite group.

Today’s best in-ear hearing aids are sleek, smart, wireless and use Bluetooth which will enable you to stream TV, music, and calls from all your smart devices directly to your hearing aid! With Bluetooth, your little helpers will double up as headphones as well! Bluetooth essentially allows your hearing aids to sync up with another device wirelessly, without the need for cables. Hearing aids equipped with Bluetooth will improve all your listening experiences.

Many Bluetooth-powered hearing aids also connect to a smartphone app that can be used to control your device. These apps allow you to easily adjust settings like volume at the tap of a finger. Such apps are quite user friendly, and many even have the option of remote fine-tuning, which means that your hearing aid settings can be changed according to your preferences by an audiologist remotely. Now is a good time as any to benefit from remote care from the comfort of your home!