Pros and Cons of ITE Hearing Aids

When it comes to finding the right hearing aid for you, there are a huge range of options to consider. If you’re confused about the types available, then learning more about the pros and cons of one of the most popular forms of hearing aids might be the right choice for you. In an effort to enhance your understanding of the subject, we’re going to focus on in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids in this post.

ITE hearing aids are among the most popular kinds of hearing aids. ITE aids have a number of benefits— but also a number of limitations. Read on for a full-scope picture of what ITE hearing aids might be able to offer you.

Pros

ITE hearing aids are a popular choice for a reason. Here are some of the reasons it’s definitely worth asking your hearing care provider about this particular kind of device:

• Excellent sound quality and amplification. ITE hearing aids use twin microphones, which help to provide truly excellent sound quality. This means they are suitable for all levels of hearing loss, and work particularly well if your hearing loss is quite advanced.
• Discretion. Many users feel that ITE hearing aids are more discreet than their behind-the-ear (BTE) counterparts.
• Comfort. All ITE hearing aids are custom-designed for the user, so if you have struggled to find a hearing aid that truly feels comfortable, an ITE device might be more suitable for you.
• Recessed design. When wearing an ITE hearing aid, you can still use telephones and headsets without having to remove your hearing aid. This allows for an ease of use that other types of devices don’t necessarily offer.

Cons

Of course, no hearing aid is perfect, and ITE devices do have their downsides. Your hearing health professional may be able to advise you of options to help eliminate these potential downsides of ITE hearing aids, but you still need to be aware of them so as to make informed purchasing decisions.

• Higher levels of cleaning. ITE hearing aids tend to require more cleaning than, particularly, BTE options. This is because they sit close to the ear, and are more likely to experience issues with ear wax build-up.
• More prone to needing repairs. ITE hearing aids are more liable to need repairs than BTE options, which is definitely an aspect you’re going to want to consider. Of course, good maintenance can help offset the need for repairs, but it is nevertheless a factor you need to consider.
• Potential feedback. The components of ITE devices are closer to one another than with other hearing aid styles, which can make them more prone to feedback issues.

There is no perfect hearing aid design that only offers benefits and no potential downsides. Now you know the realities — good and bad — of ITE hearing aids, you can discuss your options with your hearing specialist, safe in the knowledge that you’re able to make a fully informed decision.