If you’re like many people, you may think of the concepts “invisible” and “hearing aid” are mutually exclusive. After all, you may have grown up with a hearing impaired grandparent or neighbor who wore a large, clunky, and very noticeable hearing aid. However, technology has advanced by leaps and bounds over the past few years making invisible hearing aids a popular reality for many people living with hearing loss. Let’s take a closer look at these discrete devices, along with what you should know if you’re considering getting an invisible hearing aid.
What Is An Invisible Hearing Aid?
While there are many different types of hearing aids on the market today, Invisible-In-Canal (IIC) devices are the smallest kind available. While not technically invisible, they are the next best thing for people looking for a winning combination of discretion, comfort, and effectiveness.
Worn deep within the canal of the ear, IIC hearing aids are ideal for people with most types of moderate hearing loss. They offer exceptional clarity of sound due to their close proximity to the eardrum, thereby maximizing sound travel and minimizing ambient noise. They also offer other advanced functionality, such as noise reduction, voice recognition, and advanced sound processing.
Benefits of Invisible Hearing Aids
Invisible hearing aids offer a number of advantages over conventional hearing aids. These include:
- Unparalleled discretion
- A secure fit ideal for the physically active
- A deep fit which prevents the occlusion or “stuffed up” effect
A Few Things to Keep in Mind
While IIC hearing aids are a terrific option for many people with hearing loss, they are not a one-size-fits-all solution. If you are experiencing extreme hearing loss, an IIC hearing aid may not be powerful enough to meet your needs. Additionally, because IIC hearing aids are designed to be removed daily, you must be comfortable with the practice of interesting and removing the device. Invisible hearing aids also have shorter battery lives due to their small size, while being more vulnerable to wax buildup and moisture.
Lastly is the issue of price. Because of their intensive manufacturing and fitting processes, IIC hearing aids typically cost more than other hearing aid alternatives. Still, most users agree that their benefits make them a worthwhile investment.
When choosing a hearing aid, your audiologist will work with you to evaluate the type and extent of your hearing loss, your lifestyle, and other factors in order to help you determine whether an IIC hearing aid is right for you.
Whether you’re going to dinner at a crowded restaurant, watching your favorite television show, or attending an important meeting, invisible hearing aids offer a powerful new way to adjust to any environment and start making the most out of everyday activities. The result? A fuller quality of life with no sacrifice of quality or discretion.