There are a LOT of different types of hearing aids today. Deciding which one to buy should be based on more than just appearance, but we also know that appearance is very important for a variety of reasons, often far more than just vanity. Some styles are more appropriate for certain types/degrees of hearing loss than others, so we recommend that your final decision should be made based on what works best, feels best, and – last but not least – looks best.
The newest hearing aid style – open fit – has become VERY popular. A large number of hearing aid styles can use open fit technology, providing users with a broad spectrum of choices AND a nearly invisible hearing aid. We take the time to review with you the pros and cons of various styles and will suggest the options that will work best for YOUR particular situation.
Receiver in the ear (RIC/RITE) hearing aids are the most popular today due to their inconspicuous nature, comfort and excellend sound quality. The receiver is bilt into a soft open dome or ear mold and placed inside the ear canal with thin electrical wires replacing the acoustic tule of conventional BTEs.
Conventional BTEs offer more power for severe hearing loss.
Custom hearing aids come in various size depending on your hearing loss and wishes.
Invisibility
While no hearing aid is ever completely invisible, open fit tubing with modern behind-the-ear devices makes aids nearly invisible. Newer patients chatting with our secretary will regularly comment on the problems of hearing loss. They’ll say, “You wouldn’t know though. You don’t wear a hearing aid.” She then turns her head completely to the side and says: Look closely.”
It happens all the time!
What about color?
An experienced Audiologist will often dispense a hearing aid in a color that blends with your skin and hair coloring. This provides an appearance enhancement, making the aid even less noticeable.
Some hearing aid sellers are now promote hearing aids in vivid colors such as Red and Navy Blue. From our experience, most hearing aid users do not want to call attention to their hearing difficulties. While watches are available with different color faceplates that change their appearance, the internal parts of a hearing aid simply cannot be transferred from shell to shell. Thus, the bright red aid from yesterday might not fit well with your plans and lifestyle tomorrow. Should you want to talk about shells in different colors, just let us know.
Other questions?
We’re happy to discuss options and concerns. Just let us know!
