| Looking at hearing aids reviews highlights better than | | | | that the entire ITE unit is placed in the outer ear, |
| any other process just how sophisticated these life | | | | whereas, an ITC aid is made to fit the specific user's |
| enhancing devices have become in recent decades. | | | | ear and canal shape. Indeed some can be inserted |
| It's a tautology to say that hearing aids were created | | | | almost completely in the canal and are all but invisible |
| to help improve the hearing of people with hearing | | | | to others. This last type has the acronym CIC |
| problems. While that is obviously true and is by far the | | | | (Completely In Canal). |
| most important factor involved, it's not the sole factor. | | | | Some ITE aids have additional built-in hearing enhancing |
| Convenience and appearance are secondary but | | | | features. One of these is called a "telecoil." This |
| nevertheless important considerations when choosing | | | | essentially enables the hearing aid pick up nearby |
| an aid. Some people are more conscious than others | | | | resonating electromagnetic waves of the type emitted |
| about how they look. But these are factors that, to | | | | around the earpiece of a telephone. The telecoil |
| some may not seem important, but, nevertheless | | | | equipped aid can make it much easier for wearers to |
| cannot be ignored. | | | | clearly hear conversation on a telephone. |
| Most people with impaired hearing would opt for the | | | | Some public spaces like auditoriums in cinemas, |
| least conspicuous devise on one conditions. That is if all | | | | theatres and schools have installed sound and public |
| other considerations were equal. In others words, if tiny | | | | address facilities called "induction loop" systems. As |
| and not so tiny devices performed to the same | | | | well as the normal sound waves, the electromagnetic |
| standard, and were much the same price, most people | | | | waves created by the sound system can be picked |
| would go for the tiny alternative. | | | | up by people wearing telecoil enhanced hearing aids. |
| But all things are not equal and even if such were the | | | | They can have a truly transforming effect on the |
| case, other criteria come into play. For example, some | | | | quality of life of hearing impaired people in such |
| could find a very tiny appliance difficult to handle and | | | | environments. |
| adjust, whatever about it being more discreet. They | | | | There are two types of BTE systems. Both types |
| may also find that the device gets clogged with wax | | | | consist of a small plastic case worn behind the ear. |
| more frequently and is awkward to clean. Finally, they | | | | One type is linked to a moulded earpiece in the outer |
| may find that the shorter duration of the battery | | | | ear, which essentially houses a small speaker. The |
| charge is an unacceptable nuisance. | | | | other type referred to as an "open fit" aid has a tiny |
| Ironically it is estimated that only about a fifth of people | | | | tube inserted into the ear canal. This tube is narrow |
| who would benefit from using a hearing aid actually | | | | enough to enable the canal to remain open. Because |
| acquires one. I may be that their impairment happened | | | | the canal is open, the wearer's own voice sounds |
| gradually, or they have become used to. So for people | | | | much more normal to them. This sort of aid also has |
| who suspects that they may not have the best | | | | the advantage of not been as badly effected by ear |
| hearing, it's well worth while to at least consider getting | | | | wax as other types. In both BTE systems, the section |
| it tested. | | | | behind the ear holds the electronics (including the |
| There are essentially three common types of hearing | | | | microphone) and the battery. |
| aid. These are: In the Ear aids (ITE), In the Canal aids | | | | Some hearing aids reviews can go into considerable |
| (ITC) and Behind the ear aids (BTE). These categories | | | | technical detail. This one is meant as a short overview |
| can be further subdivided but are accepted as the | | | | of the main types. Detailed information can be obtained |
| main ones. | | | | from manufacturers' websites and literature. |
| The difference between an ITE aid and an ITC aid is | | | | |