If you’ve been struggling to hear the world around you, becoming the proud owner of a new set of hearing aids can be completely life-changing.
If it’s the first time you’ve ever used a hearing aid, or you’re thinking of investing in one but you’re not sure how to use them, we’re here to walk you through the different types of hearing aids and show you how to insert them correctly.
Different Types Of Hearing Aids
The type of hearing aid you choose may depend on how severe your hearing loss is, your cosmetic concerns, and your lifestyle preferences.
There are two types of hearing aids you can choose from: In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids and behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids.
In-The-Ear (ITE) Hearing Aids
ITE hearing aids are pretty self-explanatory – instead of sitting behind the ear, they’re a small device that sits directly inside the inner ear. If you’re concerned about wearing a visible hearing aid, ITE hearing aids can be an ideal solution.
These types of hearing aids are often custom-made to provide the right fit for your ear. This is done by taking an impression of your ear during your consultation.
Your custom-made hearing aid will also be available in a variety of different skin tones to make it as discreet as possible.
Some ITE aids may sit deep inside the ear canal, while others can be close to the outer ear. The positioning of your ITE hearing aid may depend on how severe your hearing loss is.
Behind-The-Ear (BTE) Hearing Aids
Instead of sitting inside the ear canal like ITE aids, BTE aids are worn on top of the outer ear.
They route the sounds of your environment down into your ear canal through a dome style or earmold that’s custom made and sits around the opening of the ear canal.
BTE aids are often available in different colors to match your preferences and skin tone. You’ll have more customization options with these aids, and you can make them as personalized and extravagant as you wish.
Most BTE and ITE hearing aids require button batteries. These will need to be replaced between three to twenty days. However, some BTE and ITE aids now come with rechargeable batteries.
How To Insert An In-The-Ear (ITE) Hearing Aid
Start by identifying the left and right hearing aid. This is because each hearing aid may be shaped or programmed differently.
Distinguishing between the two is more challenging on ITE hearing aids than BTE hearing aids. However, most manufacturers will color-code each hearing aid to help you.
Once you’ve found the right and left hearing aids, follow the steps below:
- If your hearing aid is color-coded, hold it with the colored dot facing upward. Then, place the opposite tip of the hearing aid into your ear canal.
- To help your ITE hearing aid sit deeper in your ear canal, gently pull your ear outwards and give the hearing aid a gentle push. You may need to twist it slightly if it’s not positioned correctly. Make sure you’re following the natural contour of your ear canal.
How To Remove An In-The-Ear (ITE) Hearing Aid
To remove your ITE hearing aid, follow these steps:
- Gently take the removal line of your ITE hearing aid (this should be connected to the ITE). If you don’t have one, grab the earmold instead.
- Now, pull the removal line or earmold slowly out of your ear canal. Your ITE hearing aid should come out freely.
Once you’ve removed your ITE hearing aid, remember to turn it off to conserve battery.
How To Insert A Behind-The-Ear (BTE) Hearing Aid
Your BTE aid may use a thin tube or a hook. We’ll teach you how to insert both.
To put on a BTE hearing aid with a thin tube, you should:
- Start by placing the hearing aid behind your ear
- Then, hold the place where the tube bends between your fingers. Your earpiece should now be facing the ear canal opening
- Now, slowly start to push the earpiece into your ear. If the thin tube sits comfortably close to the side of your head, you’ve done it correctly
To put on a BTE hearing aid with a hook, you should:
- Start by pinching the top of your ear, and gently pull it outwards. Now, press the mold of your hearing aid in the direction of your ear canal. You may need to twist it slightly
- Once the mold is in place, put the hearing instrument behind your ear
How To Remove A Behind-The-Ear (BTE) Hearing Aid
To remove a BTE hearing aid with thin tubes, complete the following steps:
- Hold the bend of the tube between your fingers. Once you have a good grip, slowly start to pull the earpiece out of the ear canal via the tubes. Be careful not to apply too much pressure.
- Once the earpiece is out, you can remove the part of the hearing aid that sits on top of your ear
If you need to remove a BTE hearing aid with a hook, you should:
- Take the wire that attaches your earmold to the hearing aid between your fingers. Gently pull the ear mold away from your ear canal until it’s removed. If you had to twist the mold to get it inside your ear, you might need to twist it to get it back out.
Once you’ve removed your hearing aid, remember to turn it off to preserve battery life.
The Bottom Line
If you can’t hear as clearly as you used to, investing in a hearing aid could be one of the greatest decisions you’ll ever make.
Today, hearing aids are more diverse than ever, so regardless of your budget or your cosmetic concerns, you can be sure to find the right hearing aid for you.
Whether that’s an ITE hearing aid or a BTE hearing aid, there’s something for everyone. If you’re not sure which hearing aid is best for you, consult a healthcare professional for more information.