If you need hearing aids, there are a lot of options to choose from. Fortunately, a knowledgeable audiologist can help. Dr. Charlie Palmer of Russellville Hearing Clinic will evaluate the extent of your hearing loss as well as your budget, lifestyle, and preferences to help you choose hearing aids you will want to wear. Here are just a few of the most popular kinds of listening devices he recommends to patients.

3 Common Kinds of Hearing Aids

1. Behind-the-Ear (BTE)

As their name suggests, BTE devices rest behind the ear. This is the most common kind of hearing aid, and it comes in a variety of sizes, colors, and designs. BTE aids are easy to adjust, and they are ideal for individuals who have moderate to severe hearing loss. Because they hook over the top of the ear, they are less discreet than other options; however, their larger size allows them to amplify sounds more than other styles. 

2. In-the-Ear (ITE)

ITE devices are customized for each user, so they fit snugly in the bowl-shaped portion of the ear. Like BTE aids, they are fairly easy to adjust for different noise environments because of their larger size. ITE devices are appropriate for virtually anyone, from those with mild loss to severe hearing issues; however, they are not as discreet as some of the other options available. They are the perfect compromise for people who do not want something as large as a BTE device but need an aid that is easy to handle and offers a long battery life. 

3. Invisible-in-the-Canal (IIC)

IIC devices are essentially invisible, making them the most discreet choice available. These custom hearing aids are worn farther in the ear canal than other options, and they must be removed daily. Unfortunately, those with severe hearing damage will not benefit from wearing IIC devices, but they can help individuals with mild to moderate loss. Aids of this style have many of the same features as BTE and ITE devices, but they are harder to adjust between environments because of their small size.

If you need hearing aids, turn to Russellville Hearing Clinic. They have been proudly serving patients throughout Pope County, AR, for more than two decades. Since they are not part of a buying group, they offer listening devices of all brands to give patients more options. Visit their website to learn more about their knowledgeable team, or call (479) 968-7250 to schedule an appointment.