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In the ear
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As the name implies, in-the-ear hearing-aids are placed inside the auditory canal (see picture). |
These appliances are the best system for combining performance with looks, and are far less visible than behind-the-ear models.
Their placing inside the auditory canal requires more maintenance and cleaning, to prevent wax or moisture from damaging the electronic circuits.
In-the-ear hearing-aids can in turn be divided into subcategories, according to the depth of insertion: - Full conch
The appliance fills the entire conch.
Though being an in-the-ear hearing-aid, it can improve serious hearing problems since its size enables the insertion of powerful receivers and batteries capable of supplying high currents. - Half conch
Smaller than the full conch, it is more limited in maximum output power and gain. - In-the-canal
Introduced almost entirely in the auditory canal, it is less visible than the former models. The volume control and the program change button, if any, can be placed on the outside of the appliance, concealed by the tragus.
This is aesthetically the best solution for improving medium to medium-serious hearing problems. - Deep in-the-canal insertion
Placed entirely in the auditory canal, it is the only type of appliance that is practically invisible.
The appliance has a thin clear nylon string for its removal and when correctly worn, is the only part of the appliance visible from the outside.
With the latter two categories (in-the-canal and deep in-the-canal) the placing of the microphone inside the auditory canal enables the appliance to exploit the normal directionality provided by the auricle, thus offering an extremely natural feeling in locating sounds. Due to their exceptionally small size, these appliances can only improve medium hearing problems. |
