| Completely in the canal hearing aids (also known as | | | | that completely in the canal hearing aids are |
| CIC hearing aids) are, as the name suggests, hearing | | | | somewhat more expensive to purchase then behind |
| aids which fit entirely within the wearer's ear canal. | | | | the ear hearing aids are. Another issue that may make |
| These revolutionary devices are the smallest hearing | | | | them cost prohibitive to those on a tight budget is that |
| aids on the market and are invisible to the average | | | | increased susceptibility to ear wax build up puts CIC |
| observer who doesn't know they are there. Most | | | | hearing aids at higher risk for damage, therefore |
| major hearing aid brands and manufacturers now | | | | necessitating pricey repair bills or replacement hearing |
| offer this inconspicuous alternative to traditional behind | | | | aids. |
| the ear, or BTE, hearing aids. | | | | Whereas BTE hearing instruments are appropriate for |
| CIC hearing aids are custom made to fit deep inside | | | | almost all hearing impaired individuals regardless of the |
| the individual wearers ear canal and are said to mimic | | | | type or degree of hearing loss, CIC hearing aids are |
| the natural auditory process more closely then any | | | | not recommended for individuals with certain kinds of |
| other style of hearing aid. They are best suited to | | | | hearing loss. They are also unlikely to be prescribed or |
| people with a mild to moderate hearing loss. There are | | | | advised for children. First of all children tend to be less |
| a number of advantages and disadvantages that | | | | able to tolerate the discomfort and irritations that |
| should be taken into consideration when deciding | | | | sometimes come along with the use of CIC models, |
| between CIC hearing aids and the BTE models. | | | | especially in the beginning. |
| For audiologists, otologists, speech therapists and other | | | | Plus children's ear canals aren't done growing, so they |
| hearing professionals, the primary appeal of CIC | | | | will need to be refitted and replaced much more often |
| hearing aids are their acoustic advantages. They are | | | | for them then for adults. The size of CIC hearing aids |
| able to closely simulate environmental, and more | | | | and their even tinier batteries make them difficult to |
| importantly, speech sounds, patterns, nuances etc. This | | | | manipulate for the elderly, arthritis sufferers and others |
| is imperative to a hearing impaired individual's | | | | with conditions and diseases which effect fine motor |
| competency with the spoken word. Additionally, since | | | | control. Feedback and no volume control are two |
| CIC hearing aids are worn closer to the eardrum then | | | | more drawbacks often mentioned by CIC hearing aid |
| their BTE counterparts, their microphones are better | | | | users. |
| able to amplify and therefore give a boost to any | | | | Audiologists are the best resource hearing impaired |
| residual hearing the wearer may have. The advantage | | | | individuals have to help them objectively decide |
| that is most often touted by the wearers of CIC | | | | whether CIC or BTE hearing aids are better for them. |
| devices, however, is their cosmetic appeal and | | | | They can also point wearers in the direction of the |
| inconspicuousness. | | | | best CIC hearing aids provider. Research on the pros |
| Conversely, it is important to keep in mind that CIC | | | | and cons can also be done at the library or on the |
| hearing aids also have some drawbacks. If financial | | | | internet. |
| constraints are a part of the picture, it should be noted | | | | |