One of the biggest stigmas when it comes to hearing aids is their appearance. For years hearing aids have been seen as bulky and clunky devices that people did not want to be seen wearing. As technology has gotten better, hearing aids have gotten smaller. There are now several different option for those hearing aid wearers who don’t want the world to know they have hearing loss.
Completely in the Canal (CIC) aids are made from impressions of the wearer’s ears. The aids sit deep in the ear canal and are nearly invisible to the casual observer. Being deep in the canal helps reduce feedback and provide a more natural hearing experience because the microphone is so close to the eardrum. Being in the canal also presents some issues to wearers, with wax and moisture build up leading to daily cleaning and routine maintenance, as well as a short battery life due to the small size of the aids.
Another option for discreet hearing aids are the Receiver in Canal (RIC) style. RIC use a thin plastic tube to connect the receiver in the ear to the body of the aid located discreetly behind the ear. RIC aids are an open-fit style, which helps some wearers feel more comfortable and minimizes the sound of a wearer speaking or chewing, as these noises are allowed to escape through the ear canal.
Today’s technology even lets wearers adjust their aid discreetly. Some aids come with small remotes that look like pens or a key fob. Other aids have smartphone apps that allow wearers to adjust volume levels easily.
If you would like to learn more about the different styles of hearing aids or would like to find out if you are candidate for hearing aids, contact Hearing Revolution at 1-877-426-0687.