When shopping for a hearing aid for yourself or a loved one you’ll encounter a range of styles and shapes, and one of the most common is In-the-Ear (ITE). These tiny devices are made to fit in the lower portion of the outer ear, making them a comfortable choice for listeners with mild to moderate hearing problems. Read on to learn more about the advantages and disadvantages of ITE hearing aids.
Each ITE hearing aid is custom made for the wearer because it must fit the exact shape of your ear. The custom fit is achieved by first creating an ear mold which becomes the template for the device’s shape. By doing so, you will enjoy high quality sound, low feedback, and an extremely comfortable overall experience. All of the hearing aid components fit inside the case. That means that the ITE hearing aid has no external tubes or wires. This makes them lightweight and easy to wear.
ITE devices are especially capable of picking up high-frequency sounds. This is due to their placement in relation to the outer ear, which collects and focuses many high frequency sound waves. ITE devices are also recessed far enough into the ear that headsets and telephones can usually be used normally. This type of hearing aid’s small size can be both an advantage and a disadvantage.
The devices are easy to camouflage in the ear, making them a good choice for wearers who are self-conscious about their need for a hearing aid. However, this small size also causes a short battery life and keeps them from having all the features found in some other devices. Handling the device and changing the battery inside requires good finger dexterity and eyesight.
As with all the hearing aid styles available, ITE hearing aid has both advantages and disadvantages. For help choosing the best hearing aid style for your hearing loss and lifestyle give us a call.