Hearing Aids for Elderly People, Men and Children | 2022 Types & Comprehensive Buyer’s Guide
In this guide, you will learn about hearing aids and everything you need to know about this kind of health disorder. What causes hearing impairment and why are these devices so beneficial? What are their main types and how should you use them more effectively? Read a thorough analysis of this issue, as well as recommendations and tips offered by specialists. A comparative chart with products’ main characteristics will help you pick up the right device.
Winston Churchill once said, “All the great things are simple, and many can be expressed in a single word: freedom, justice, honor, duty, mercy, hope.” Indeed, there is something intoxicating about being free, especially for those who were once deprived of this privilege. Just imagine that one tiny thing would allow you to engage in what you loved to do on days when you had stronger health! Today, I am going to talk about restoring your freedom to hear and freedom to communicate, something that forms our basic needs as we cannot image ourselves living outside the society and we can hardly be happy without understanding our family members and friends.
What You Will Learn From This Guide:
- What is hearing loss?
- What kind of hearing loss can occur and why?
- What hearing aids are and why do scientists recommend them
- How do hearing aids work?
- Types
- BTE Type — Best feature-packed devices
- ITE Type — Best small devices with beneficial functions
- ITC Type — Best devices for shy people
- CIC Type — Best invisible devices
- RITE Type — Best solution with a hidden receiver
- Comparison table of hearing aid types & their effectiveness
- What are the best hearing aids for children?
- Tips for wearing hearing aids
- What to look for when buying
- What are the alternatives to hearing aids? Two best television listening devices
What is Hearing Loss?
Almost 50 million people in the US are known to suffer from hearing loss, which is about twenty percent of the entire population. If you believe that this kind of disorder can be left the way it is, you are wrong. Your troubles will progress further and you will find it increasingly harder to communicate with other people. As specialists from Jefferson University highlight, this is likely to result in both emotional and physical health issues, including depression.
Hearing loss is a result of damaging the inner ear, which can be caused by a number of reasons. This disorder is often caused by infections, trauma, long-term exposure to loud sounds, and drug effects and can even indicate the development of a tumor. For this reason, before anything else, you need to consult a doctor to determine the root of the problem.
And yet, the most common reason is aging. Almost 25% of Americans older than 65 and about half of those who are over the age of 74 suffer from this disorder to varying degrees. According to the University of California, among elderly people, hearing loss is the 3rd most prevalent health issue, after arthritis and hypertension. Whereas staying social helps to prevent depression, improves cognitive function, and stems the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. In fact, elderly people become much healthier and stronger in general as they move and interact more often. Apart from that, social communication makes the blood pressure lower because they become less prone to stress.
That said, scientists point out that this kind of disorder is more common among men. This is due to the fact that throughout their lives, men tend to deal with construction tools, guns and other items producing loud noises.
What Kind of Hearing Loss Can Occur and Why?
When dealing with hearing loss, you should distinguish several types and degrees of this health disorder. An American association specializing in these issues outlines 3 main types that include conductive, sensorineural, and mixed hearing loss.
The first one occurs when sound cannot penetrate into the outer and middle ear and the person has difficulty in perceiving soft sounds. This type of disorder is typically caused by allergy, infections or fluid buildup in the middle ear or in the case your ear is chilled with colds. Physical injuries like damaging an eardrum, as well as tumors or any foreign object in the canal can lead to such consequences.
This can be fixed by surgical intervention or medication. Practically in all such cases, hearing aids can be used as a common treatment. If the disorder has become too severe, patients are usually offered surgically inserted implants.
Sensorineural type, also known as SNHL, generally occurs when the inner ear is damaged but can also be caused by problems happening with the nerve pathways connecting the brain and the inner ear. In this case, a person will hardly distinguish soft sounds while the louder ones will be muffled. Among the possible causes, it is worth noting toxic medicine, various diseases, heredity, head trauma, prolonged exposure to noises as well as aging.
This type is the most widespread and this is what a person will have to learn to live with as neither surgical interventions nor medicine can generally help. And this is where hearing aids come in handy as the most common way to maintain an active social life.
And finally, the third type is a mixed one that happens when the outer and inner or the middle and inner ears are affected. The causes are the same as for conductive or sensorineural hearing loss. As an illustration, a worker at a steel factory may have a hearing loss as a result of exposure to loud sounds but, at the same time, he or she can have fluid in the middle ear. A combination of two issues aggravates this disorder even more.
What Hearing Aids Are and Why Scientists Recommend Them
These devices are designed to improve hearing and speech for those who suffer from hearing loss. They are typically electronic and run on batteries. When the device is turned on, all sounds become louder and, as a result, you hear better.
As soon as you detect the problem, consult a doctor to find out which device would be right for you and whether you need surgical intervention or not. Hearing aids can enhance your ability to communicate, particularly in cases when neither medication nor surgery can help. According to Harvard Men’s Health Watch, wearing these devices is the “easiest solution to hearing loss.”
The only real obstacle is associated with how people wearing them look like. Actually, the problem is in self-perception since many patients, especially men, feel somehow ashamed of using hearing aids, believing that this will prompt other people to treat them as weak persons being in the twilight of their years.
This results in quite unsatisfactory statistics, with only half of male patients agreeing to use these devices. What you should understand is that wearing them or not is not actually a matter of your personal preference but rather is the only sensible choice if you have to live with hearing loss and do not want your life quality to deteriorate.
Benefits of Wearing Hearing Aids
When a person has physical limitations and then they are miraculously removed, he or she feels such a wonderful and unparalleled sensation which can only be compared with the flight of a bird. Yeah, many obvious things which we have been taken for granted throughout our lives one day turn out to be the greatest wealth that exists in this world!
With hearing aids, you will not just perceive sounds more clearly. They will spare you from having to strain each time when someone starts to talk to you — these painstaking efforts make you exhausted by the end of the day. Experts from the Oregon Hearing Research Center specify the following benefits delivered by these devices:
- They facilitate interpersonal communication, helping you to build stronger social relationships.
- You will easily perceive electronic sounds including those emitted by TVs. If some appliances such as a refrigerator or clocks will seem to you too loud and irritating, you can always adjust your hearing aids so that they do not make you feel uncomfortable.
- In case you are exposed to loud background sounds, a device with microphones will be very helpful.
- Wearing two devices at a time will assist you in revealing the source of the sound, i.e. where it is coming from. Moreover, when the brain gets the sound only on one side, the cells of the other are more likely to atrophy.
- Increase your workplace productivity.
- Dr. Charlotte Yeh notes that people suffering hearing loss and lose the ability to distinguish different sounds while these devices prevent this from happening.
- In addition, those who resist using hearing aids are likely to face with loneliness, the negative effect of which can be compared to smoking more than a dozen cigarettes per day.
How Do Hearing Aids Work?
These are devices that usually come in small sizes and are placed behind the ear. They amplify sounds and most models can do it selectively, suppressing background noises and focusing on human speech detected closer to the user. As a result, a person with hearing loss can stay socially engaged as he or she does not have trouble with perceiving different sounds.
Generally, the device consists of 3 basic components: a microphone, amplifier, and speaker. The sound waves are received by the unit’s microphone and then converted into electrical signals. The latter are transmitted to an amplifier which, in its turn, increases their power and then sends them to a speaker. This is where your ear receives louder and more distinct sounds.
You can watch this video to see how these devices work -
What Types of Hearing Aids Are There?
So what you get are tiny computers that can actually do more than just transmit sounds. There are additional features that are very beneficial for people suffering from hearing loss. There are models capable to distinguish different environments, such as when you are driving a car or dining in a restaurant. Dual microphones allow the user to get “selected sounds”, for example, neglecting background noise, they make louder the sounds produced by those who are next to you.
Moreover, these devices can be programmed and customized in accordance with the needs of each particular patient. This means that you must not use someone’s hearing aids but, instead, should have your individual ones. Now, let’s see what types are available on the market today.
BTE Type — a Multitude of Options
The most common type is BTE, which stands for “Behind the Ear.” The device sits over the ear and transmits the sound via a special earmold. According to OHSU specialists, such models are recommended for treating both moderate and severe hearing loss since they are extremely powerful.
These devices are convenient to use due to their large-size controls, however, it is their size that discourages many customers from buying them. For this reason, some manufacturers have developed models of other types to cater to consumer preferences. And yet, some people may find BTE design more appealing as these devices often come in various colors, something that makes them particularly popular with children.
Models of this type are easier to clean and handle. One of the most important benefits delivered by BTE-type models is their long service life. This became possible due to their design that implies leaving some of the components outside of your ear so that organic substances could not damage them with the passing of time.
Rechargeable BTE Air Conduction Hearing Aids for Both Ears | Hearing Assist
This is the most expensive high-end item in the review, offering a broad range of possibilities to the user. The product comes with a comfortable charging station and has 4 volume controls enabling to adjust the device for various environments. You get a one-year warranty and a 2-months money-back guarantee. What I like about this model is that there is no need to bother with changing batteries as it has the rechargeable one. I think you will easily develop a habit of placing the unit in a charging station when you go to bed and put it on in the morning.
This is a programmable device with 4 preset programs intended for quiet and noisy places, for watching TV and going outdoors. To switch from one to another program, you just need to press a button. With this product, you get two ear tubes and three ear plugs of different size so that you can choose the most comfortable one.
Hearing Assist: Check the current price
Invisible Hearing Aid with Digital Noise Reduction
If your prime concern is to wear a device that is hardly noticeable by other people, take a look at this model. Like the previous item, this one is about one inch in length, weighs less than half an ounce but it is made in a natural color, whereas that by Otofonix is silver grey and can stand out against your skin. With this model, you also get 4 programs designed for different environments, 8 batteries, and a 1-year warranty.
There is also a possibility for the reduction of background noise while focusing on human speech. On top of that, you will not hear any feedback when talking by phone. And yet, some customers claim that the device is inconvenient to use during phone calls and they had to take the amplifier out when they are on phone.
LifeEar: Check the current price
Digital Hearing Aids with 500-hour Battery
This model is a good compromise between price and functionality. It will cost you some $100, quite a reasonable price for a device with 4 programs and a battery lasting up to 500 hours. While the unit is hard to conceal as it is larger than the previous models, the manufacturer has developed an interesting design solution — the product resembles a modern device in a metallic blue color, which is why the user would look sportive rather than a person with physical limitations. Another advantage of this model is that it can be inserted in either ear and work effectively in each of them.
Britzgo BHA-220D: Check the current price
Super Slim and Durable Hearing Aids | Siemens
This is a digital model with a processing chip ensuring a high-quality sound. It can be used both for left and right ears and is recommended for people with moderate to severe hearing loss. What I particularly like about this product is its robust design as the unit is made of very durable materials.
Why is it that important? Well, we all love spending time outdoors, especially elderly people enjoying breathing fresh air. But this means that the device will be inevitably exposed to fallouts or other unfavorable weather conditions. This model is resistant to moisture, which is an obvious advantage. In addition, it is convenient to handle thanks to a manual rocker button allowing you to fully control the device. At present, the product that comes with 3 ear tips of different sizes, 2 tubes, battery, and a case is offered at a discount price of about $150.
Siemens: Check the current price
ITE Type — a Compromise Between Size and Functionality
ITE or in-the-ear type is definitely for those, for whom the size matters. They are much smaller but, contrary to canal hearing aids that are the smallest ones, and offer more beneficial functions. For example, some models offer a feature that allows avoiding a whistling sound when talking on the phone. Devices of this type are prescribed for people who have hearing issues of varying severity. Such unit available mainly in natural color should be inserted in the ear’s bowl.
First and foremost, this is a feature-packed device with 4 settings that can be programmed in accordance with your preferences. Secondly, it is really small-size and compact. Thirdly, you will get 3 silicone tips so that you could choose the size that suits you most. The seller provides a one-month money-back guarantee in case you will not like the product. The device automatically reduces background noise while boosting the soft speech of people talking to you. Another advantage is the Multi Memory system adds overall volume in specific environments.
If your budget is limited, you may get a cheaper option by RovPro. Although the device also has a noise reduction function, it is quite unsophisticated. As the manufacturer notes, you may hear a whistling sound when the item is not inserted well or has a wrong size of an earmuff. With the product, you will get 4 earmuffs that are made of silicone and are available in different sizes. The battery lasts for 100 hours, however, it does not come with the product. As you can see, this model is affordable, easy to use and very simple, but keep in mind that these are the features that do not stand for quality.
ITC Type — for Shy People
If you are a shy person, in-the-canal type would be a wise choice for you. Such models are so tiny that they can be easily inserted in the ear canal. Many people opt for these devices because while being very compact they come with a very important feature allowing the use of two microphones.
And yet, the size involves certain downsides. First, some people may find the control inconvenient to handle and secondly, this type is not suitable for those who suffer severe hearing loss. As experts with Oklahoma State University note, it represents a balance between power and technology.
Well, look at an interesting model. HD 500 Digital Hearing Aid is fully programmable and comes with settings that can be adjusted in accordance with your needs. It looks weightless like a butterfly and is really invisible inside the ear. At the same time, its small size does not negatively affect the sound quality, which is due to the product’s design placing most of the unit deep within the canal. Once positioned inside the canal, it is secured in place and cannot slip out.
Watch a video about how to insert and use a device of this type
A cheaper model by Medijoy that also comes with 3 ear tips of different sizes will cost you just some $50. Unlike the previous model, it does not look so weightless but still is small enough to be hidden in your ear. However, its main disadvantage in comparison with the item above is the absence of the most significant features. So, in order to reduce the noise, the manufacturer suggests that you turn down the volume. Needless to say that in this case, you will have difficulty in hearing other sounds as well.
CIC Type — Invisible and Pricy
Such models are located completely inside the ear canal and they are hardly visible. Despite their size, they still can have some useful features like enabling the user to talk by phone without hearing a whistling. On top of that, these devices allow you to hear better under windy conditions, which is due to the position of its microphone. You will not have to adjust them manually as everything is automatic there.
Among the disadvantages, a relatively high price should be mentioned as well as the effect of occlusion when a person hears his or her voice excessively loud. Models of this type are recommended for people with a mild and moderate levels of disorder.
This model by LAIWEN is the smallest digital device made of top-grade materials, something that ensures that it will not fall apart after constant inserting and pulling out of the ear canal. It as designed to improve sounds both emitted by appliances such as TV and telephone as well as human speech. One of the product's advantages is low power consumption, which means the battery will last longer and you will save on buying new ones. This device is particularly good for noisy environments because of its digital noise reduction feature allowing not only identify sounds but also select the desired one. The seller offers a 45-day money-back guarantee for those who will be dissatisfied with the product.
There is also the invisible-in-the-canal type of hearing aids, however, these devices are so inferior in terms of sound quality and functionality that I am not going to elaborate on them. The only real benefit they offer is a super small size, a feature that can attract some customers, though.
RITE Type — Effective Solution for Hiding a Receiver
RITE that stands for receiver-in-the-ear is the device placed behind the ear, with the receiver being inserted inside it. The latter is the main difference between this type and BTE. Such location of the receiver allows the manufacturers to produce models of smaller sizes so that the users could wear them discreetly.
Apart from this benefit, RITE models have a number of other helpful features. First, the sound comes directly to the canal, enhancing its quality. Secondly, you will be able to use standard earmolds of different sizes. Thirdly, devices of this type are recommended for people suffering not only mild and moderate but also severe hearing loss. And fourthly, unlike typical in-the-canal models, these products are usually available in various colors.
You get a high-performance DSP model by Newsound. It has two processors ensuring the accurate quality of the sound, two channels and a multiple band frequency. You can change settings and volume using a digital rocker switch while the feature of noise reduction feature filters echoes signals emitted by the microphone. A good feature is a sound notification when the battery is running out so that you will not be left wrong-footed somewhere in the street.
Or you may get yourself a cheaper one but without some of the features mentioned above. It also has a noise reduction feature and a rocker switch, apart from its four preset programs for various environments. The product comes with 3 domes of differing sizes, allowing you to choose the most comfortable one. Some customers complain that the device produces whistling sounds that are actually a so-called feedback. you can resolve it by lowering the volume.
Comparison Table of Hearing Aid Types
| Type / Level of Hearing Loss | Mode of Operation | Advantages | Disadvantages |
| BTE (behind-the-ear type) / Mild to severe | Placed over the ear and transmits the sound via an earmold. | Re-programmable Most popular Convenient Good for children Often available in different colors Long service life | Visible Larger than devices of other types |
| ITE (in-the-ear type) / Mild to severe | Fill the full bowl of your ear. | Smaller than BTE Unlike the canal options, have enough useful functions. Often have a telecoil switch | Less powerful than BTE They are not so easy to clean Still can be visible |
| ITC (in-the-canal type) / Mild to moderate | Fill half of your ear bowl | Tiny and compact Allow the use of two microphones | May be inconvenient to handle |
| CIC (completely-in-the-canal type) / Mild to moderate | Placed inside the canal | Almost invisible May have a telecoil switch | High price Occlusion effect |
| RITE (receiver-in-the-ear type) / Mild to severe | Placed over the ear with the speaker inside the canal | Attractive design Sound natural Good for high-frequency sounds Reduces occlusion | Offers fewer features compared to BTE |
What Are the Best Hearing Aids for Children?
Before buying a device, you should first consult a doctor to find out why your kid has difficulties with perceiving sounds. Note that this disorder can be caused by a tumor, something that poses greater health hazards and requires immediate treatment.
Does your kid really need hearing aids? Although it is a doctor who should give you the answer, look at a list of indications provided by specialists from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. So you will likely have to acquire this device if:
- Your kid has a permanent impairment and neither surgical intervention nor medicine can improve his or her condition.
- The level of hearing loss is so severe that your kid often fails to distinguish what people tell him or her. This may result in poor school performance and troubles with social engagement.
- When things are so bad that even the most powerful hearing aids will not be able to make your kid hear very loud sounds.
- When a device can fit the ear of your kid. In some cases, ears can be slightly deformed, which will make it inconvenient for the person to wear such inserts.
Among the above-mentioned types, the best one is BTE. As I have already said, such models are available in different colors, which makes them more appealing to children. However, it is not just color that makes this type be preferable for kids. The changeable earmolds are the best solution to keeping up with children’s rapidly growing organism. As a rule, children may need up to 4 sets earmolds over the course of one year, otherwise, the sound will not be heard well enough.
Best hearing aids for kids and accessories
A good example of a device that best suits children is the brand name BTE hearing aids by Siemens. First, it comes with 3 ear plugs of different sizes so that you can change them as your child is growing. Secondly, it is made of strong material and is resistant to moisture, which is particularly important when it comes to children because, you know, they just couldn’t stay put! Thirdly, the item has a nice design but, at the same time, does not stand out.
What is important is to make this experience amusing for your child so that he or she does not perceive this health issue as an obstacle in their life. This is where all sorts of accessories come in handy. Look at this bright-colored silicone loop for girls.
She will enjoy wearing this lightweight and appealing pink thing with a toy. That said, the item has a practical use as it is intended for BTE models and is designed to protect them from being lost or dropped, something that happens with children from time to time.
For boys, you may choose another option offered by Clip. Apart from being preferred by men, the blue color is known to have a positive psychological effect as it is associated with water and, therefore, is believed to evoke feelings of calmness and serenity.
ITE-type devices are less popular because their earmolds need to be regularly reshaped while the unit itself is made of a hard material which can harm the kid’s ear. When choosing a product, keep in mind that the size of the item is irrespective of age but rather should be selected in accordance with the severity of the disorder.
Tips for Wearing Hearing Aids
Much depends on the approach you are going to take. What you should realize is that you will enter a new world, which is why it would be wise to learn a lot and maybe even change some habits. So here are the tips suggested by scientists from the University of Rochester on how to make the device work more effectively.
- Remember that your normal hearing will not be restored while the electronic device you wear will transmit sounds that can be different from those you have got used to. Therefore, patience is the key to success. After a while, you will get accustomed to these new sounds.
- When you will start using them for the first time, find somewhere quiet. Gradually increase the level of noise so that your ear is not damaged by sudden changes.
- Test the device in different locations and environments, choosing the best one for you.
- Keep a diary, writing down your suggestions and notes there.
What to Look for When Buying
After consulting a doctor and receiving a recommendation for using hearing aids, you will find out that there is an ocean of marketed products, from which you will have to choose the right model. So here are some suggestions on what features you should consider before you buy a product.
- DSP. Whether you need a digital or analog device is actually the question about how complex it should be. Digital models turn sounds into digital signals and process them by means of DSP. The letter can control the sound level, noise and other parameters making your communication more effective.
- Channel separation. You may need a device that automatically decreases unnecessary loud noises but allows you to hear people’s speech better. That is why apparatuses separating channels are so useful. You can amplify the volume of one channel while reducing that of the other.
- How many channels it has. This influences your possibilities for programming in accordance with the severity of your hearing loss. However, avoid buying models providing for more than twenty channels as it may lead to the sounds being less clear.
- Dual microphones will let you understand what people say in a noisy environment, however, they will not completely suppress the noise and you will still hear it.
- The number of programs. This offers you greater opportunities as there are programs designed to improve listening to TVs or talking by phone.
- Bluetooth compatibility. The device will receive a signal from Bluetooth and transmit it to the hearing aids.
What Are the Alternatives to Hearing Aids?
Some people suffer a mild hearing loss that does have a tangible impact on their perception of human speech while not allowing them to fully enjoy watching TV and movies. I guess, it occurred to you that you turned up the volume of the TV, despite the objection from your family members. But often it is not a sufficient cause for wearing hearing aids. Well, is there any happy middle ground, you may ask? Yeah, there is and these are television listening devices.
Take a look at this brand name model by Sennheiser. This is a digital wireless headphone that can be adjusted based on your personal preferences. You can select either of 3 profiles intended to improve your listening of TV and music. One of the advantages is the unit is comfortable to wear because it weighs just a bit over two ounces. So you can sit back, relax and enjoy watching movies. On top of that, the device covers 200 feet and has a battery lasting for up to 12 hours.
There are cheaper options, though. The Simolio headset is designed for the same purpose, however, this model cannot boast having the same level of convenience and sleek design. The product will cost you less than $100 but it is bulkier, covers a smaller area — approximately 100 feet — and has a battery lasting for at most seven hours. Still, the model has its own advantages, such as flexible headset beams that can be adjusted so that they sit in your ears more comfortably.
Sennheiser: Check the current price
Comparison Chart of the Effectiveness of 15 Hearing Aids
| Product | Type | Advantages |
| Hearing Assist | BTE | Rechargeable battery Effectiveness: 10 |
| Otofonix Elite | BTE | 4 programs and ten volume levels Effectiveness: 10 |
| LifeEar | BTE | 4 programs Effectiveness: 9 |
| Britzgo BHA-220D | BTE | 4 programs Effectiveness: 9 |
| Banglijian | BTE | 3 programs Effectiveness: 8 |
| Siemens
| BTE | For either right and left ear Effectiveness: 10 |
| HD 390 Hearing Aid
| ITE | Compact Effectiveness: 10 |
| RovPro | ITE | Reduces background noise Effectiveness: 8 |
| HD 500 Digital Hearing Aid
| ITC | Fully programmable Effectiveness: 10 |
| Medijoy | ITC | Budget choice Effectiveness: 8 |
| LAIWEN | CIC | The smallest option Effectiveness: 9 |
| Newsound
| RITE | High-performance DSP model Effectiveness: 10 |
| FIIL | RITE | 4 preset programs Effectiveness: 9 |
| Sennheiser | television listening devices | Adjustable wireless headphone Effectiveness: 10 |
| Simolio | Adjustable wireless headset Effectiveness: 8 |
FAQ
What is the best hearing aid?
A model by Hearing Assist offers you the greater number of beneficial features and allows to choose your size of ear plugs. However, if you have a limited budget, opt for Banglijian produced by a reliable manufacturer offering a 3-year guarantee.
Is there an alternative to hearing aids?
Apart from surgery and medication, you can consider products that are less powerful but can serve as a sort of alternative to hearing aids for those who resist wearing them. So there are television listening devices allowing the user to adjust the volume without making it too loud for the other people in the room.
Does this device help slow hearing loss?
No, they cannot. These devices are intended to make you feel comfortable despite having this kind of disorder.
Can I sleep with hearing aids?
Sleeping with them does not pose significant risks, however, you may accidentally damage the device or hurt the ear when having troubled sleep.
Can I swim with this device?
No, you should not do that as there is no waterproof hearing aids on the market. Some are water-resistant enough to wear them in the open air without worrying about rains but they definitely should not be submerged into the water.
