How to Choose an In-the-Canal Hearing Aid

Just because you accept that you need to wear a hearing aid doesn't mean that you want to advertise the fact. As you've talked through your options with your hearing specialist, they may have recommended that you try an in-the-canal unit.

These hearing aids sit snugly inside your ear canal. They aren't as obvious as other types of hearing aids, such as those that sit behind the ear. While this all sounds good, there are a few different options here. What are they, and which one is best for you?

Types of In-the-Canal Hearing Aids

All hearing aids that fit in your ear canal go in the same place, more or less. They fit inside the canal, which is the hole in your ear through which you hear.

There are three main types of in-the-canal hearing aids. You can choose from:

• Standard in-the canal hearing aids.
• Completely-in-the-canal hearing aids.
• Invisible-in-the-canal hearing aids.

From a cosmetic perspective, these hearing aids come in different sizes. Some are more obvious than others. For example, a general in-the-canal hearing aid has the biggest plate face. You can see more of this aid in the ear.

A completely-in-the-canal option is slightly smaller. You can still see it if you look hard, but its smaller size makes it less visible. If you want a virtually concealed aid, then an invisible-in-the-ear option may suit you. This is the smallest and most unobtrusive of the three canal aid options.

Choosing the Right In-the-Canal Hearing Aid

There's nothing wrong with wanting an unobtrusive hearing aid. However, you shouldn't let cosmetic considerations cloud your judgement. You also need a hearing aid that helps you fix your hearing problems.

All types of in-the-canal hearing aids have their pros and cons. Generally, the smaller you go, the less power you may get.

While this isn't a problem if you only have mild hearing loss, you need to choose a bigger hearing aid if your hearing issues are more severe. For example, invisible-in-the-canal hearing aids may not improve your hearing as much as in-the-canal models. These models may be slightly more visible, but they could help you hear more clearly.

To find out more about your options, ask your hearing aid consultant for advice. They can talk you through all the advantages and disadvantages of each type of in-the-canal aid. They can then discuss which one will best suit your hearing loss problems.

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