Hearing Aids and Other Technology

Hearing aids are available for children and adults with all degrees of hearing loss. The type of hearing aid a person selects will depend on their degree of hearing loss, ability to understand speech, the situations in which they need to hear and cosmetic concerns

Hearing aid styles

Behind the ear (BTE) hearing aids are the most commonly dispensed hearing aids. They are available for people with mild to severe hearing losses. BTE hearing aids fit over the ear and use an earmold to send sound into the ear. They are usually easy to manipulate as the switches are larger than in some of the other hearing aids. They can usually be easily connected to an FM system so they are ideal for children in school.

In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids are very popular with adults who have mild to moderately-severe hearing loss because they are smaller than BTE hearing aids. They fill in the ear and usually have one or two small switches, which are used to turn the hearing aid on and off, or to change programs. Because these are small they are more difficult to manipulate and so may be difficult for people who have dexterity problems with their fingers, or for children when their ears are continuing to grow and when they will need an FM system in school.

Completely-in-the-Canal (CIC) hearing aids are very small hearing aids that fit into the ear canal and are less visible than ITE hearing aids.

Body worn hearing aids are used very rarely with current technology. They are about the size of an iPod and are worn in a pocket with a cord going up to the ear. They are used for patients with profound hearing losses or patients who have physical problems using other hearing aids.

Hearing aid types

Digital hearing aids make use of digital technology to control the auditory signal. They are usually able to provide a cleaner signal with less background noise.

Programmable hearing aids are hearing aids that are programmed using a computer. They may be digital or analog.

Analog hearing aids use an analog signal to amplify sound. These hearing aids are usually less expensive then digital hearing aids and may be very good for patients with more mild hearing losses and for patients who do not rely on listening to understand speech.

Group listening systems

FM systems

Even when using the best, most appropriate hearing aids people will have problems hearing when the talking is more than a few feet away or when there is competing noise. FM systems are used to improve the ability to hear when the talker is at a distance or in the presence of competing noise. An FM system comes in two parts. The talker uses a microphone and the listener has a receiver connected to the hearing aids. This may be connected directly or by using a small loudspeaker. An FM system will significantly improve the ability to hear in a difficult listening situation and is recommended for everyone with hearing loss.

Infra-red systems

Infra-red systems are similar to FM systems in that they are used to improve listening at distance and in noise. The signal is transmitted using infrared waves. The listener wears an infra-red receiver either through headphones or attached to hearing aids. This system is frequently used in theatres. It can only be used indoors because the signal would be interrupted by sunlight.

Tele-coil systems

Tele-coil systems make use of the telephone coil on a person's hearing aid. The tele-coil can be used to help people communicate on the phone and can be used for hearing in groups. Patients can use a tele-loop worn around their necks, and theatres and other meeting areas can use a tele-loop to surround a room. People turn their hearing aids to the tele-coil and they will pick up the signal coming from the talker's microphone. Not all hearing aids have equally strong tele-loops so the loudness and clarity of the signal will vary.