If you have any form of hearing loss, one of the biggest decisions you need to make is what sort of hearing aid you are going to purchase. Of course, your audiologist is going to be able to provide you with their expert advice regarding which sort of hearing device is going to be right for you. However, it does help to make sure that you have a good understanding of the sort of hearing aids that are available. One option is an invisible-in-canal hearing aid (IIC), which offers the most discreet appearance out of all other options. Below, we are going to reveal everything that you need to know about this sort of hearing aid.

What is an invisible-in-canal (IIC) hearing aid?

IIC hearing devices are what people tend to refer to when they say invisible hearing aids. These sort of hearing devices are the smallest that are available on the market at the moment. They have been designed and sculptured so that they can fit fully into your ear canal – your external auditory meatus. Because of this, they are either fully or almost completely invisible. You can use extraction cords to help you insert and remove the hearing device from your ear. When you have your hearing aid fitting with your audiologist, they will be able to provide you with all of the information you need to make sure that you can insert and remove your hearing device properly. 

Some of the pros and drawbacks associated with this type of hearing device

When you are purchasing any sort of hearing device, it is important to consider the pros and the drawbacks associated with the hearing aid. After all, there is no right or wrong hearing aid; it is all about figuring out what is going to be right for you and your situation. Which hearing aid is correct for you depends on a number of different factors, including cosmetic appeal, budget, lifestyle needs, ear anatomy and your desired features. This is why it is important to work with an experienced audiologist who can help you get to the bottom of your decision!

So, let’s take a look at some of the pros associated with IIC hearing devices. These hearing aids are custom-fitted to your ear. They also rest deep in the second bend of your ear canal, as well as being the smallest and most discreet type of hearing aid that is available today. Therefore, if your main concern is making sure that people cannot see your hearing device, this is definitely an option that you should consider. However, it is important to be aware that a small hearing aid can also have a number of drawbacks, so let’s take a look at these as well. Small hearing aids like this aren’t always able to accommodate memory controls or manual volume. Aside from these small batteries need more frequent changing and they can be more challenging to wears that have dexterity issues.  

In addition to this, a lot of people find that the location of the microphone in this type of ear device can provide a lot of benefits. Because the hearing device is fitted within the ear canal, instead of behind the ear, this can be beneficial when using the telephone. It can also help to preserve the natural acoustics provided by the external ear that helps with the localizing the direction of sound from behind you and in front of you.

It is also worth considering the fact that more maintenance can be required for these sorts of hearing devices. This is because they can be more susceptible to damage that is caused because of earwax ingression inside of the microphone port, which is situated inside of the ear canal. You ear anatomy is also going to need to be of a certain size and shape in order to house all of the electronic components inside. 

Contact Sommerville Audiology & Hearing Aid Center today if you want more information about hearing aids

If you are concerned about your hearing loss, it is imperative to speak to an experienced audiologist as soon as possible. If you would like to find out more about Sommerville Audiology & Hearing Aid Center and the service that we provide, all you need to do is give us a call today for more information at 586-298-3788. We look forward to hearing from you and we are happy to answer any questions, no matter how big or small.