Hearing aids are an effective and popular tool for people with hearing loss. In 2019, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that 7.1% of adults aged 45 and over used a hearing aid.
One of the biggest decisions you can make when choosing hearing aids is deciding what style works best for you. One option that is appealing to those who feel self-conscious about wearing hearing aids is invisible hearing aids, also known as invisible-in-the-canal (IIC) hearing aids.
Let’s look at some of the benefits as well as the limitations of invisible hearing aids to see if they might work well for you.
Why Users Love Invisible Hearing Aids 
As the name suggests, invisible hearing aids are practically impossible for other people to see. This is because they are extremely small and fit completely within the ear canal with no parts outside the ear. This means you can be in a work meeting or out to eat with friends at Mother’s Bistro & Bar without anyone noticing that you’re wearing hearing aids.
Other benefits of invisible hearing aids include:
- They are strong enough to help people with mild to moderately severe hearing loss
- You’re less likely to be bothered by wind noise since no part of the device sits outside your ear
- They sit inside the ear canal next to the ear drum, so sounds do not get blocked from entering your ear canal naturally
- They can be worn with helmets or headphones, which makes them a good choice for physical activities like running and biking.
Possible Limitations
While invisible hearing aids are a great choice for many, they aren’t the right choice for everyone. Potential limitations include:
- They don’t fit with all ear canal shapes
- Some people cannot get comfortable with feeling an object in their ear canal
- They have a shorter battery lifespan than other models
- Their small size may make them more difficult to use for people with dexterity issues
- No rechargeable options are currently available
Choosing The Right Hearing Aid For You
So many different factors will determine what model of hearing aid works best for you, including your style preferences, hearing needs, living arrangements, as well as your work and hobbies. Be open with your audiologist about what’s important to you, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. This will help ensure that you get the most satisfaction from your hearing aids.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call PDX ENT today.
