If you need a hearing aid, or need to purchase one for a loved one, then you may be curious how hearing aids work. Beltone, a leader in the hearing care industry, believes in helping our customers to be educated and informed consumers. We want to provide you with all the information you need, so you can make the best decision for you or your loved one. Read on to learn more about what a hearing aid is, how they work, and what different types and technologies are available to you. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to give Beltone’s Hearing Care Centers of the Central Valley a call!
What Is a Hearing Aid?
Hearing aids are small electronic devices worn in or behind the ear. These devices make some sounds louder so that a person with hearing loss can listen, communicate, and participate more fully in daily activities. A hearing aid can help people hear more in both quiet and noisy situations.
How Does a Hearing Aid Work?
Hearing aids have three basic parts: a microphone, amplifier, and speaker. The hearing aid receives sound through a microphone, which converts the sound waves to electrical signals and sends them to an amplifier. The amplifier increases the power of the signals and then sends them to the ear through a speaker.
Many people who find themselves in need of a hearing aid are suffering from hearing loss resulting from damage to the hair cells, small sensory cells in the inner ear. Called sensorineural hearing loss, this damage can occur as a result of disease, aging, or injury from noise or certain medicines. For these people, hearing aids work by magnifying sound vibrations entering the ear where surviving hair cells detect the larger vibrations and convert them into neural signals that are passed along to the brain.
Are There Different Types of Hearing Aids?
Yes, there are two main types of hearing aids:
Inside the Ear Hearing Aids
Inside the Ear hearing aid devices offer you a discreet style, yet powerful performance. There are a few different options for Inside the Ear hearing aids:
Invisible-in-Canal (IIC) devices – IIC devices are the smallest custom product available, almost invisible as they sit deep inside the ear canal. IIC is the perfect solution for those who want a discreet hearing aid and have a mild-to-moderate hearing loss. The IIC style is available in both the Beltone Amaze and Beltone Serene hearing aid product families.
In-the-Canal (ITC) devices – In-the-Canal (ITC) devices are custom-made, based on an impression taken of your ear canal and the surrounding area. They are slightly larger than Invisible-in-Canal (IIC) hearing aids, but still considered cosmetically appealing and their medium size makes them a great choice for push button controls. ITC hearing aids offer a secure fit, easy insertion and removal, longer battery life, and all of the components in an ITC hearing aid are encased within a lightweight plastic shell. ITC devices work best for mild-to-moderate hearing loss.
Outside the Ear Hearing Aids
Outside the Ear styles are also popular and consist of two main types:
Behind-the-Ear (BTE) devices
The Behind-the-Ear (BTE) style is appropriate for people of all ages, fits the widest range of hearing loss, and all Beltone devices are available as BTE styles. The BTE style rests comfortably behind your ear; sound travels through a tiny tube to a custom earpiece called an earmold that fits in your ear canal. BTE devices are small, easy to wear, and feature a curved casing designed to nestle comfortably behind the ear. By matching flesh tone or hair color, they hide with ease.
Receiver-in-Ear (RIE) devices
A Receiver-in-Ear (RIE) style is different; unlike a standard BTE, the receiver has been removed from the housing and mounted externally in a tube fitted into the ear with a soft dome. The main section of a RIE hearing aid is hidden behind your ear, and RIE hearing aids are usually smaller than standard BTE hearing aids. Some BTE hearing devices also come in micro-RIE or mini-RIE, offering users an even smaller, more discreet device. The Beltone Envision, Commence, Serene, and Achieve product families are available in RIE styles.
How Do I Choose a Hearing Aid?
The first step to finding the right hearing aid device for you or your loved one is to consult with a hearing health professional. Your hearing care professional will work with you to find the hearing device that best fits your lifestyle, budget and degree of hearing loss. By examining your unique requirements, you and your hearing care professional can determine the best fit for your needs. At Beltone’s Hearing Care Centers of the Central Valley, our caring staff of hearing health professionals is here to offer you comprehensive support and compassionate care. Our team of professionals truly care about your hearing health journey.
Come to Beltone’s Hearing Care Centers of the Central Valley to Find the Right Hearing Aid for You or Your Loved One!
When you are ready to look for the right hearing aid for you or your loved one, come visit us at Beltone’s Hearing Care Centers of the Central Valley. With five offices to serve the Central California region, Fresno, Hanford, Modesto, Sonora, and Visalia, Beltone’s Hearing Care Centers of the Central Valley are a great choice for your hearing care needs! Come in and meet our team of caring, professional hearing care providers who are here to be by your side throughout each step of your hearing health journey. Call us today at (559) 981-8894 to speak with our friendly staff or click here to schedule an appointment for your complimentary hearing evaluation today!