Hearing Doctors of Kansas | Audiologists

The Situation

For some people, the biggest deterrent to wearing a hearing aid is concern about how it will affect their appearance. In fact, 1 in 5 people who choose not to wear hearing aids (in spite of hearing loss) say it’s because they don’t like what other people will think about them.

How We Can Help

Thanks to digital technology that is constantly improving, many of today’s hearing aids are sleeker, smaller, and less noticeable than those of years past.

There are four basic styles of hearing aids:

• Open-fit.
  The smallest style, these aids fit behind the ear, and carry sound through a small tube or wire to a speaker inside the ear canal. They are hardly visible, use very small batteries, and cannot be manually adjusted. Best for mild to moderate high-frequency hearing loss.
• In-the-canal.
  A small, barely noticeable option, these fit either partially or entirely in the ear canal. They use small batteries, which may not last as long as those in larger aids. Good for mild to moderate hearing loss.
• In-the-ear.
  These aids rest in the outer part of the ear. Slightly larger, they are easier to handle, use larger batteries that often last longer, and include additional features such as volume control. Appropriate for mild to severe hearing loss.
• Behind-the-ear.
  This style sits behind the ear, and connects to an earmold with tubing. These are typically the largest style, though some smaller, less visible options now exist. They are able to amplify more than the other styles, they work with nearly any type of hearing loss, and they are regularly used for children.

With hearing loss affecting such a large portion of the population — 17% of Americans — there are a great number of options on the market. Some hearing aid companies are even producing aids with bright, fun patterns that speak to a new generation, and a new confidence with the devices.

Because Hearing Doctors of Kansas doesn’t focus on a particular brand, patients can choose from a wider array of hearing aids. This makes it easier to find an aid that works for you.

Sources: National Council on Aging, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Mayo Clinic