When you consider buying a hearing aid, it is very natural to have tons of questions. With the advancement of technology, invisible or smallest hearing aids are becoming gradually more popular.
In this blog post, many of these questions and misunderstandings about smallest hearing aids are answered.
What are smallest hearing aids?
Invisible hearing aids are very smallest that they cannot be seen placed inside the ear. They are often chosen by users when they want to keep their hearing loss hidden, or when traditional hearing aids seem to be very bulky. They are usually customized to fit your hearing requirement. They can be custom-fitted or ear-shaped.
In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids are invisible hearing aids that are worn in the ear canal. They are made up of a plastic single shell, which is sometimes covered by a soft plastic dome inserted into the ear. They have two styles: invisible in the canal (IIC) and completely in the canal (CIC):
They are very discreet. You cannot view them from the outside.
They are best used for people with mild to moderate hearing loss.
They have very good sound quality because they fit deeply and comfortably in the ear.
It is an option for those concerned about cosmetic appearance.
Some of them can be controlled using an app on the phone or using a remote control.
How do smallest hearing aids work?
Most smallest hearing aid models contain a tiny outdoor microphone, a microprocessor, a speaker, a built-in amplifier, a supply system and a removable battery, usually not rechargeable.
They mostly come with shells in different skin tones to facilitate the invisibility of the devices. Some have a push-button, allowing you to either change the volume and the setting or mute the devices. Some users prefer this type and find it more comfortable as it allows them to have no physical parts showing outside their ear.
How small can hearing aids be? How do they look like?
When it comes to smallest hearing aids, people usually look for a device that looks aesthetically alluring and not too big. They are designed to be undetectable. Since they don’t have components outside the ear, others don’t know you are even wearing a hearing aid.
They have a thin plastic ‘pin’ that remains accessible. This allows you to pull the hidden hearing out using it.
They have one push button at the top pf the ear that you could select a color matching your hair or skin tone, allowing it to blend nicely.
They insist of two different cases: one as a carrying case and the other as a rechargeable one that you plug into the wall and you charge the hearing aids overnight.
Why do people choose discreet and smallest hearing aids?
Hearing loss still is stigmatized in our society. People always perceive it as being “old”. People usually go for these smallest hearing aids for many reasons:
They are anxious about the effect of the hearing aid appearance.
These hearing aids don’t interfere with their active lifestyle- they can easily travel and play sports.
They find comfort in wearing these due to their low weight and the absence of the external devices and wires.
They seek more self-confidence when wearing them.
They go after advanced technology in a small device- complex sound technology with extreme precision.
They value their privacy and want to keep the focus of their surroundings on them and not their hearing loss.
How can you choose smallest hearing aids?
To get started with such a hearing aid, you need to contact your audiologist to decide together. They will make sure that this type of hearing aid is right for you. If the hearing aids are custom-made, they will ensure that it matches the shape of your inner ear to receive the optimum comfort and sound.
It is very important to discuss all these issues with your audiologist. Do not forget that you will be wearing these hearing aids on daily basics, so you need to make sure that you have the right one suiting your lifestyle and condition.
What are the benefits of smallest hearing aids?
There are many advantages for smallest hearing aids.
Discretion
They are not noticeable to others when you wear them.
Comfort
They are more relaxed to wear them than the traditional hearing aids since they don’t have any visible parts that can rub against the skin or get caught in the hair and bother them. There are no eternal tubes or wires.
They are useful for people who usually need to put things on their ears or head such as healthcare workers using stethoscopes, headsets or protective gear/helmets.
Improved sound quality
Their location near the ear drum allows them to provide better sound quality and more natural sound than the traditional ones.
They are less prone to the whistling or wind noise that might accompany the hearing aid.
You can hear your own voice while wearing them without feeling too loud or having a hollow quality to it.
Are smallest hearing aids right for everyone?
The direct answer is no. They are not appropriate for every ear or everyone. For example, if you spend a lot of time in complex and loud environments like concerts, sporty events and noisy restaurants, you might want to choose the smallest hearing aids. This is because they contain the digital noise reduction option that minimizes background sounds. On the other hand, if you spend a lot of time at home or in quiet environments, you might want hearing aid with advanced signal processing because it increases the clarity of speech.
There are different levels of hearing loss. Smallest hearing aids are suitable for people with mild to moderate hearing loss. Because they are so small, people with severe or profound hearing loss will be able to make use of them.
Another inconvenience is its hearing aid batteries are so small and changing them might turn into a big challenge for those suffering from dexterity or vision problems.
There are different ear shapes, so this might not make it compatible to all. For example, if your ear canals are thin or short, they might not sit comfortably within the ears.
What’s the average lifespan of smallest hearing aids?
On average, hearing aids last from three to seven years. In-the-ear hearing aids last four to five years due to the construction of the hearing aid itself. They are usually exposed to more moisture and high temperature. This is what makes them more susceptible to damage and impairment. However, there are specific factors that might impact the average lifespan of hearing aids, these include:
The materials used to design the hearing aid
The frequency of cleaning
Where the hearing aid is worn
How the hearing aid is stored
The frequency of maintenance
The technological advancements
Do they cost more than other hearing aids?
The price of hearing aids usually is determined by several factors such as:
Technological advancements
Research and development
Professional services supplied and provided by audiologists
Continuing care
Customization of the hearing aids
Warranties you might want to buy
Cost bundling
The prices of invisible hearing aids, like those in general, vary and are divided into different prices according to many features, mostly the ones aforementioned above.
If you are experiencing any hearing loss or problem, seek help from a professional. There is no shame in acknowledging that you need medical help and professional advice. Millions of people wear hearing aids, so you are not the first one!
It is important to consider several things before choosing the right hearing aids. Your level of hearing, your personal preference and your ear canal shape are all factors to consider when buying invisible hearing aids.
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