Hearing Aids in Melville, NY
Clarity of sound, functionality, and unrivaled comfort are some of the main advantages of modern hearing aids. At Island Better Hearing in Melville, NY, we’re dedicated to helping you experience these benefits for yourself. The path to hearing better begins with finding a hearing aid appropriate for your specific type and severity of hearing loss. Contact us for a consultation so we can help you figure out the best solution for you.
Types of Hearing Aids
Hearing aids are broken down into about five categories in general.
Completely-in-Canal Hearing Aids
One of the smallest models of hearing aids, made to fit completely inside the ear, is called a completely-in-canal, or CIC hearing aid. This type of hearing aid is basically invisible when it's inside of the ear.
Completely-in-canal hearing aids are very discrete and can effectively manage mild to moderate hearing loss. Because CIC hearing aids fit entirely inside the ear, wind noise is not as much of an issue.
In-the-Ear Hearing Aids
Usually, sitting in the part of the earlobe shaped like a bowl, in-the-ear, or ITE hearing aids are a bit less discrete than CIC models. ITE hearing aids can also be made to sit in the lower part of the bowl shape if you want a more discrete look. When the device sits in the upper part of the bowl, it's called a "full shell," and when the device sits in the lower part, they're called a "half shell".
Because they're larger, ITE hearing aids tend to be more customizable and are generally easier to handle. The battery on this type of hearing aid will usually have more life than smaller models, and they will typically come with a more robust group of features.
In-the-Canal Hearing Aids
In-the-canal, or ITC hearing aids, fit onto the outer edge of the ear. Most of the hardware will be visible outside of the ear, while the speaker will be inside of the ear.
ITC hearing aids are bigger, so they are able to house more advanced features and usually have longer battery life. The fit is also more comfortable for some people. ITC devices are not the largest type of hearing aids, so they are usually less obvious than larger models.
Receiver-in-the Ear and Behind-the-Ear Models
There are some similarities between receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) devices and behind-the-ear (BTE) models: the mechanical parts and the power supply sit behind the ear. The parts that go behind the ear are connected to the speaker, which is inside of the ear, via a small wire.
Both parts of this hearing aid can be readily replaced, making them a great option for people of any age. BTE and RITE hearing aids can amplify power, making them an ideal solution for people who suffer from moderate to severe hearing loss.
Which model of hearing aids will best suit your needs?
Which model of hearing aids will be best for you will depend on your type and level of hearing loss and your specific preferences. In order to determine the best solution for you, contact us for a consultation.