Hearing Aids 101

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​A hearing aid is a small, electronic device that amplifies sound. No matter what the size, style or manufacturer, all hearing aids have some of the same basic components: ​

• Microphone to pick up sound
• Sound processor
• Amplifier
• Receiver (miniature loudspeaker)
• Battery

Internal controls are set by your audiologist. These controls determine which pitches are amplified, the amount of initial volume provided when the aid is turned on, and the loudest sound the hearing aid can process. External controls are set by the hearing aid user. Very small aids may not have external controls. The controls may include a volume button and program switch.

Styles of Hearing Aids

Behind-the-Ear hearing aids (BTE) fit behind the ear and are connected to an earpiece that delivers sound inside the ear canal. BTEs are suitable for both children and adults and for any degree of hearing loss, from mild to profound. Some BTEs are now available in miniature sizes and are cosmetically discreet. They have seen a major increase in sales because of smaller sizes, comfort in the ear, and more natural soun​d quality (especially if the ear canal is not completely plugged.) However, depending on the volume requirements and individual factors of the user, larger instruments may be necessary.

In-the-Ear hearing aids (ITE) have a custom shell case made to fit the curves of the ear canal and outer ear. It is made out of a hard plastic material. The hearing aid shell houses all of the miniature hearing aid components. ITE aids are generally not recommended for children because of safety concerns over the hard plastic cracking in their ears, and the increased number of shell re-makes due to rapid ear growth. There are several sub-styles of ITE hearing aids:

• Full-Shell: fills entire "bowl" of outer ear
• Half-shell: fills half of the "bowl"
• In-the-canal (ITC): mostly in the ear canal but is still visible
• Completely-in-the-canal (CIC): recessed deeply into the ear canal and is usually not visible

Bone-Conduction Hearing Devices provide sound through a small vibrator powered by a hearing device attached to a wearable headband, or a surgically implanted attachment. These are used for patients who were born with no ear canals, and have normal inner ear function. They are also used with patients with single-sided deafness or other conditions that make it difficult to use other types of hearing devices.

Which Hearing Aid is Right for Me? 
​With so many factors involved in the process of selecting amplification, the assistance of an experienced audiologist assures you of choosing a hearing aid that best suits your needs. Request a visit with a Boys Town Audiologist today.

• Transcript

  Hearing Aids 101
  

  Hearing aids, all of them are basically the same; they amplify sounds to make them louder so that the person with hearing loss can hear the sounds.

  All hearing aids have a microphone, an amplifier, which is what makes the sounds louder, and all of them have a computer chip. This just allows for more complex processing then what we used to be able to do.

  Then all hearing aids have a speaker that presents a sound.

  What are the different types of hearing aids?

  Sizes differ across hearing aids. We’ve got some that rest up on top of the ear and for those, there is something that goes down into the ear so you can route the sound into the ear.

  We also have smaller ones that go actually into the ear canal.

  The main difference is cosmetics. The smaller ones are more cosmetically appealing, also, power differences. We can get greater power with a larger hearing aid, which is really important if you have a more severe hearing loss.

  What determines the selection of a specific hearing aid?

  Your age, so, if you’re a child, you would want the kind that goes on top of your ear. The reason for that is it’s going to work best with some of the devices that schools use so that you can hear the teacher better.

  Then the other consideration is how severe is your hearing loss. The more severe it is, the bigger the hearing aid you will need.

  I think the most important thing is making sure the hearing aid is going to amplify the sound enough for your hearing loss.

  We always work with the patient and try to figure out what is going to best fit their needs.