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Hearing aids Cape Town | Styles available for all ages

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A hearing aid is a tiny electronic device worn in or behind the ear to make certain sounds clearer for individuals with hearing loss to improve communication in daily activities. A hearing aid can improve a person’s ability to hear in both quiet and noisy situations and is suitable for individuals of all ages suffering from hearing loss due to disease, ageing or injury.

Hearing aids Cape Town are comprised of three basic parts: the microphone, amplifier and speaker. Sound around the wearer is received through the microphone and converted into electrical signals for the amplifier to process. The amplifier then sends these signals through the speaker for the wearer to hear.

The extent of the individual’s hearing loss will determine what kind of hearing aid is needed. The greater the damage, the more amplification the wearer will require. There are, however, practical limits to how much amplification a hearing aid can provide. In certain scenarios where the inner ear is too damaged, no extent of amplification can assist in converting the needed neural signals.

What styles of hearing aids are available?

  1. Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids
    BTE hearing aids consist of a case worn behind the ear and connected to the earmold that fits the outer ear. These devices’ electronic parts are protected in the hard plastic case located behind the ear and work by allowing sound to travel from the earmold into the ear. All ages can use these hearing aids for mild to severe hearing loss.

    The industry’s latest BTE device is a small, open-fit hearing aid. These devices fit entirely behind the ear with a narrow tube that is inserted into the ear canal. This kind of hearing aid is a good choice for individuals who experience earwax build-up, as it is less likely to face damage as a result.

  1. In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids
    The device fits completely inside the individual’s outer ear and is generally used by those facing mild to severe hearing loss. A hard plastic casing protects the electronic components of this device.

    ITE hearing aids can feature a telecoil to allow this device to receive sound from the circuitry rather than the microphone. This improves conversation over telephonic devices and helps to hear in noisy, public facilities. These hearing aids are generally not worn by children, as they would require frequent replacement as the ear grows.

  1. Canal aids
    These hearing aids fit into the ear’s canal, wearers have a choice between two styles. In-the-canal (ITC) hearing aids are designed to fit the size and shape of an individual’s ear canal, while a completely-in-canal (CIC) hearing aid is designed to be nearly hidden within the ear canal. These hearing aids are suitable for individuals with mild to moderately severe hearing loss.

    The small size of these devices can make them difficult to adjust and move. As a result, they are not the recommended type of hearing aid for young children.