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Which hearing aid do I need?

Behind-the-ear, in-the-ear or receiver-in-canal? Find out here!
For some people having to wear a hearing aid will come as a shock. After all, doesn’t a hearing aid look like a refrigerator dangling behind your ear? Fortunately, that is a thing of the past. In this blog, I explain what hearing solutions are available and which model best matches which type of hearing loss.

Types of hearing loss

Let’s take a quick look at the things a hearing care professional considers. Hearing loss is divided into four different degrees of loss:

  • Mild hearing loss (20-30 decibels (or dB)
  • Moderate hearing loss (30-60 dB)
  • Severe hearing loss (60-90 dB)
  • Profound hearing loss to deafness (90+ dB)

Attention is also paid to the frequency range of the hearing loss, as the choice of hearing aid may depend on which frequencies must be amplified. Based on the degree and frequency range of the hearing loss, a suitable solution is chosen. Other factors are taken into account, but put simply in most cases you can assume that the more severe the hearing loss is, the bigger the hearing aid will be.

Types of hearing solutions

Here’s a handy overview of the various types of hearing aids and the meaning of the abbreviations used:

  • In-the-ear hearing aid (ITE)
  • Receiver-in-canal hearing aid (RIC)
  • Behind-the-ear hearing aid (BTE)
  • Lyric hearing aid

Experience has shown that for someone who has little to no hearing loss in the lower frequencies, this type of hearing aid usually provides an unpleasant hearing experience. That’s because the ears are practically closed off, so that the ear canal will function as a kind of sound box and you will hear your own voice as a very strange sound. That’s why this type of hearing aid is usually not recommended in case of hearing loss in the higher frequencies only.

Lyric hearing aid

Lyric hearing aids are in a class of their own. They are inserted so deeply into the ear that they are not visible from the outside. These hearing aids use a built-in battery that must be replaced every three months. Inserting and removing the hearing aid is done by a Lyric specialist. This is one of the best hearing aids available, as it uses the auricle’s natural function and provides amplification close to the eardrum.

These hearing aids are suitable in case of mild to moderate hearing loss. In some cases, they are also suitable in case of severe hearing loss. Ask your hearing care professional when purchasing a hearing aid.

Ready to choose?

Our hearing care professionals are stand-by to provide you with advice and assistance in choosing a hearing aid. Visit our contact page to get in touch with us.