When searching for a hearing aid for yourself or a loved one you will be confronted by a variety of styles and features, and one of the most common is In-the-Ear (ITE). These hearing aids are a great choice for people with mild to moderate hearing loss as they are small, comfortable, and fit securely in the lower portion of the outer ear. Keep reading to find out more about this popular hearing aid style.
An in-the-ear hearing aid is a small device that is custom-made to fit your ear shape. The custom fit is achieved by first creating an ear mold which becomes the template for the device’s shape. 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 the components needed for this type of hearing aid are stored in a single case, eliminating the need for wires and tubes. As a result, ITE devices are light and extremely comfortable.
In-the-ear hearing aids have a number of auditory advantages, including their superior ability to pick up on high-frequency sounds. This enhanced ability to collect and focus high-frequency sounds is a result of their location inside rather than behind the outer ear. Another nice feature of the ITE hearing aid is that it sites recessed into the ear. This means that most people have no problem using headsets and telephones which rest up against the ear. In-the-ear hearing aids are very small, which offers both advantages and disadvantages.
Their small size keeps them from being very obvious, making them a great choice for listeners who are a little self-conscious about wearing a device. But, the small size also limits the size of the battery and optional features that can be included inside the case. Handling the device and changing the battery inside requires good finger dexterity and eyesight.
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.