As you search for a hearing aid – either for yourself or a loved one – one of the more widespread options you will come across is the in-the-ear (ITE) style. In-the-ear hearing aids are a popular choice for individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss. They are custom-made to fit comfortably in the lower portion of the outer ear. Keep reading to find out more about this popular hearing aid style.
An in-the-ear hearing aid is a small device that is custom-made to fit your ear shape. If you choose to use this type of device, your hearing professional will use a mold to make sure it fits your ear perfectly. By doing so, you will enjoy high quality sound, low feedback, and an extremely comfortable overall experience. Unlike behind-the-ear devices, ITE hearing aids don’t require any tubes or wires: all the device’s components are included in a single case. Overall they are easy to use being very lightweight and comfortable.
ITE devices are especially capable of picking up high-frequency sounds. Unlike a behind-the-ear model, these devices can take advantage of the outer ear’s ability to collect and focus high frequency sound waves. ITE devices are also recessed far enough into the ear that headsets and telephones can usually be used normally. The ITE device is very small. Their small size has advantages and disadvantages to consider.
Their small size keeps them from being very obvious, making them a great choice for listeners who are a little self-conscious about wearing a device. The downside of this is that they cannot store all of the features that other hearing aid styles do. People with poor motor control or eyesight problems may have difficulty replacing the battery or operating the controls.
As with all the hearing aid styles available, in-the-ear hearing aid has both advantages and disadvantages. Give us a call for help choosing the best hearing aid style for your lifestyle and hearing loss.