Hearing Aid Information
Choosing hearing aids can be an overwhelming process! There is a lot of information to review before making a purchase. Your audiologist will help you answer all of your questions and make sure you know which options are best for your type of hearing loss and your lifestyle.
Styles of Hearing Aids
- In-the-Canal (ITC) and Completely-in-the-Canal (CIC) aids
These aids are in a tiny case that fits partly or completely into the ear canal. They are the smallest aids available and offer some cosmetic and listening advantages.
- In-the-Ear (ITE) aids
All parts of the hearing aid are in a shell that fills in the outer part of the ear. These aids are larger than canal aids and, for some people, may be easier to handle than smaller aids.
- Behind-the-Ear (BTE) aids
All parts of the aid are in a small plastic case that hooks behind the ear. The case is connected to an earmold by a piece of clear tubing. This style is often chosen for young children for safety and growth reasons. BTE aids can be water resistant and offer several customized features for the individual.
- Behind-the-Ear Aid: Open Fit
A small plastic case hooks behind the ear, and a very fine clear tube runs into the ear canal. Inside the ear canal, a small, soft silicone dome or a molded, highly vented acrylic tip holds the tube in place. These aids offer cosmetic and listening advantages and are used typically for adults.
- Receiver-in-Canal Aids
These aids look similar to the behind-the-ear hearing aid with a difference: the speaker of the hearing aid is placed inside the ear canal, and thin electrical wires replace the acoustic tube of the BTE aid. These aids also offer cosmetic and listening advantages and are typically used for adults.
Types of Hearing Aids
- Digital Programmable
These hearing aids have all the features of analog aids but use digitized sound processing (DSP) to convert sound waves to digital signals. A computer chip in the aid analyzes the signals and makes modifications to provide a clear and amplified sound to the individual. Digital hearing aids are usually self-adjusting and highly programmable. Your audiologist can program the aid to send a signal that matches your specific type of hearing loss. Key features of digital hearing aids include better fit, noise reduction, less feedback (whistling sounds), and management of loudness comfort. These tend to be the most expensive aids.
- Conventional analog
These are hearing aids that are designed with a particular frequency response based on your tpe of hearing loss. Your audiologist will tell the manufacturer which settings to install. While there are a few programmable adjustments, these aids generally amplify all sound (speech and noise) in the same way. Conventional analog hearing aids tend to be the least expensive but can be appropriate for certain types of hearing loss.
- Analog programmable
These hearing aids have a microchip that allows your audiologist to program the aid for different listening environments. The program settings depend on your type of hearing loss, your speech understanding, and your tolerance for louder sounds.
Caring for Your Hearing Aids
Your hearing aids will require special care to make sure they work correctly and last for a long time. Hearing aids can be wiped clean with a soft, dry cloth to remove dirt and grime. Earmolds can be removed from the aid and cleaned with a mild soap solution. Cleaning each part will help reduce irritation in both the ear and behind the ear.
Too much moisture will damage your hearing aids. A hearing aid drying container will help keep moisture from building up inside the aids. (Batteries should be removed from the aids before putting them in the drying container.)
Regular visits to your audiologist are also important because your audiologist will perform basic maintenance on your aids and make any necessary adjustments.
Insurance for Hearing Aids
- Private health care plans
Some plans will cover the costs of hearing tests, hearing evaluations, and possible partial or full coverage of a hearing aid. Unfortunately, most private insurance plans tend to only partially cover aids. When researching your plan's details, check for terms like audiology, hearing care, other rehabilitation services, or other medically necessary devices. Check with your employer's benefits manager for what your plan will offer.
- Medicare
Medicare currently does not cover hearing aids.
- Medicaid
Medicaid often covers hearing aids and related services for adults and by law, must cover them for children.
- U.S. Veterans Administration (VA)
The VA System's National Audiology and Speech Pathology Service provides extensive clinical services to veterans with hearing, speech, and language problems. It is National VA Policy that hearing aids be made available to eligible veterans. Contact the VA Health Benefits Service Center to find out about your eligibility status.
Hearing Aids for Children
Infants can be fit with hearing aids and assistive technology as soon as days after birth. It is important to work with your audiologist and early intervention team to evaluate what your child needs. Very young children cannot adjust their own aids so the aids need to be easily manipulated and monitored by parents and caregivers. As your child gets older and can respond to more sophisticated tests, the hearing aids will be adjusted accordingly. Remember - as your child grows, so does her ear! She will need new earmolds on a regular basis, more often as young child and less frequently as they get older. Once you have selected a hearing aid, your audiologist will program it using the results of your child's hearing tests.
Keeping the hearing aids on your child's head might be your greatest challenge! It is important for your child to wear his aids as much as possible. If worn since infancy, your child will probably learn to wear them without resistance. An older child fit with hearing aids might be more challenging. There are some products available to help keep the hearing aids secured to your child's head. Huggie Aids (two-sided tape), lightweight caps, headbands, and hearing aid clips are a few options. Your audiologist will help you with these options.
