Hearing Aid Styles
DIGITAL technology is the most sophisticated hearing aid technology. Digital technology gives the audiologist maximum control over sound quality and sound processing characteristics.
Open BTE: Open Behind-The-Ear (BTE) hearing aids use tiny casing and a nearly invisible slim tube. Open fittings offer a cosmetically apppealing option. They are lightweight and tiny, with a transparent dome that makes them less noticeable than aids with custom earmolds.
BTE: Behind-The-Ear (BTE) hearing aids have the most circuit options and typically have more power than any of the custom made in-the-ear aids. BTEs "sit" on the back of your ear. They are connected to custom-made earmolds. These aids can now be fitted with an invisible slim tube instead of the plastic tubing.
ITE: In-The-Ear hearing aids are more visible and the easiest to handle of the custom made aids. They have a longer battery life than completely-in-the-canal aids.
ITC: In-The-Canal hearing aids are slightly less visible than ITEs. They require good dexterity to control the volume wheels and other controls on the faceplate.
CIC: Completely-In-the-Canal hearing aids are one of the more cosmetically appealing custom made aids. They usually require a "removal string" due to their small size and their deep fit into the ear canal. CICs do not usually have manual controls because they are too small. CIC hearing aids have the shortest battery life.
Three major types of hearing aids
At ReSound, we offer three different categories of hearing aids:- Behind-the-ear (BTE)
- Remote Microphone Technology
- Custom in-the-ear models (ITE)
Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids
The main section of this hearing aid is hidden behind your ear and connected to a molded receiver that fits snugly in the outer ear.
Your hearing healthcare professional can help you determine whether you prefer fully automatic hearing aids that require no manual adjustments – or hearing aids that offers full control. These hearing aids offer a volume control and/or push button that allows selection from multiple programs for specific performance situations.
Suitable for: all types of hearing loss
Remote Microphone hearing aids
Remote Microphone is a new category of hearing aids developed by ReSound that combines the advantages of the behind-the-ear and custom (in-the-ear) models.
The microphone has been moved to the outer ear and is connected to the main body of the hearing aid by a thin transparent tube. The result is virtually invisible hearing aids that offer open-fitting comfort and maximum wind noise suppression.
Suitable for: mild or to moderately severe hearing loss
Custom in-the-ear hearing aids
Custom in-the-ear hearing aids are custom made to fit the contours of your ear canal. They’re easy to insert for all levels of dexterity and avoid conflict when wearing glasses, hats, etc.
- Full shell
- Half shell
- Canal
- Mini canal
- Completely in the canal (CIC)
Depending on the specific type, it may be more or less invisible in your ear. The size and shape of your ear canal along with your specific hearing loss determine which type of custom hearing aids are right for you.
Suitable for: mild to moderately severe hearing loss
IMAGES PROVIDED BY RESOUND.COM