Pros and cons of small hearing aids?
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Hello, my friend has been diagnosed with hearing loss and his hearing care professional recommends hearing aids. Thanks to today’s technology, there is a variety of styles and manufacturers to choose from, including some which fit so discreetly they are virtually invisible. Which one should he choose? What are the pros and cons of small hearing aids?
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@cherry The most discreet small hearing aids include custom "in the ear" (ITE) styles, such as "completely in the canal" (CIC) and "invisible in the canal" (IIC). Both of these types fit deep inside the ear canal, hidden in the contours of the ear. Although social stigmas may have you leaning toward smaller, more discreet custom devices, these models aren’t suitable for everyone. These devices are as close to being invisible as they get. There are no external tubes or wires. Because they are lightweight and custom molded to fit inside your ear canal, they are comfortable for most wearers. These small hearing aids aren't suitable for people with severe, more advanced hearing loss. They work best for mild to moderate losses. If your hearing loss is worse than that, you may hear better wearing a behind the ear (BTE) model, which can pack more power inside. They don’t fit in everyone’s ear canal. Those with short or differently-shaped ear canals can’t wear them.