Which hearing aid do I need?
Behind the ear , in the ear or speaker in the ear? This is how you find out! You need a hearing aid, which can be quite a shock for some people. There is a lot of choice in hearing aids and sometimes you can't see the forest for the trees. We are happy to explain to you what kind of hearing solutions there are and for which hearing loss each type is suitable.
Types of hearing loss
A quick crash course in hearing aid work. Hearing loss is divided into 4 different degrees:
- Mild hearing loss (20-30 decibels)
- Moderate hearing loss (30-60 dB)
- Severe hearing loss (60-90 dB)
- Very severe hearing loss to deafness (90+ dB)
When choosing a hearing aid, the location of the hearing loss is also taken into account. The choice of hearing aid can depend on which pitches need to be amplified. Based on the degree of loss and where the loss is, a choice is made as to which hearing solution is suitable. There are other things that are taken into account, but to keep it simple, you can assume that in most cases: the more severe the hearing loss, the larger the hearing aid.
What this also means is that even the best IHO or LIHO hearing aid may not be suitable for your hearing loss because the device simply cannot provide enough amplification. So pay attention to this when buying a hearing aid!
Types of hearing solutions
For convenience, below is an overview of the types of hearing aids available and what all the confusing abbreviations mean:
In The Ear Hearing Aid (ITE)
In The Ear Hearing Aid (ITE) ITE devices are very popular because they are usually very subtle. These devices are custom-made and are not suitable for every ear canal. There must be enough space to accommodate the necessary technology. There are different versions of the ITE device, the smallest of which is called CIC (completely in canal). If you look closely, you can see this in the photo.
These hearing aids are suitable for mild and moderate hearing losses. In some cases, ITE devices can also be fitted for severe hearing losses, but this depends on the pitches at which the losses are located.
If someone has little to no loss in the low tones, we usually notice that this causes an unpleasant hearing experience. This is because the ears are almost completely closed off, causing the ear canal to function as a sound box. This ensures that you will hear your own voice in a very strange way. That is why this device is often not recommended for only a loss of high tones.
Receiver In Canal / Speaker In The Ear hearing aids (RIC device or RIT device)
This is the most common model. These hearing aids hang behind the ear with a wire that runs into the ear. In the ear there is a little speaker where the sound comes out. There are caps on the speakers, which we call domes. The domes ensure that the right seal is achieved and that the speakers stay in the ear properly.
These devices are suitable for mild, moderate and in many cases severe hearing loss. Because the device is not limited to the size of the ear canal, these devices can generally provide more amplification than ITE devices.
Behind the Ear Hearing Aid (BTE)
With the AHO devices, the device hangs behind the ear, but instead of a wire, a tube runs from the device to a custom-made earpiece that sits in the ear. These devices are somewhat sturdier and easier to put in and take out for people with less motor skills.
These devices are suitable for moderate to very severe hearing loss. The custom-made earpiece and powerful devices provide a very large amplification range. Your ear is completely closed off with this type of hearing aid.
Hoe maak ik een goede keuze voor een hoortoestel?
Lyric hearing aid
Lyric devices are in a class of their own. These devices sit so deep in the ear that you cannot see them when you look at the ear. The device works with a built-in battery so the entire hearing aid needs to be replaced about every three months. The device is inserted and removed by a Lyric specialist. This device is one of the best hearing aids because it uses the natural function of the auricle and can provide amplification close to the eardrum.
These devices are suitable for mild to moderate hearing loss. In some cases, the device is also suitable for severe hearing loss. Ask your audiologist about this when you are going to buy a hearing aid.