Types of hearing aids

A conventional hearing aid amplifies all sounds, both those that the user wants to hear and those that the user wants to avoid. This can cause discomfort for the hearing aid user because we all become more sensitive to noise with age.
Digital hearing aids help the patient with hearing loss obviate background noise. Digital hearing aids amplify speech and speech sounds, while the sounds that make up the background noise are moderated.
Most hearing aid users hear well in quiet environments, but in noisy environments, their situation is very difficult. Therefore, it is very important that family members and professionals give the necessary support immediately after the acquisition of the hearing aid, so that the user adapts to use the hearing aid in all situations of daily life.
Use of BTE hearing aids
The BTE hearing aids are placed behind the ear and connected to the earmold by a slim tube.
The battery and the switch on/off:
In this model the battery is placed so that the + sign is up. The compartment closes with a "click", and the hearing aid turns on, since the battery compartment of this type also functions as an on/ off switch. The hearing aid is turned off by opening the compartment and turns on by closing it.
The volume control:
The volume control is a small cogwheel that can be turned up or down. Make sure the hearing aid is off when you put it in your ear. Some models with digital volume control have a spring lever that is pressed up to increase the volume, and down to reduce it. Fully automatic hearing aids do not usually have manual volume control.
The M-T switch:
The M-T switch can be set to the M position for the microphone and T to the inductive coil. In some cases, the M-T switch has a central position (MT) that allows listening through the microphone and the inductive coil at the same time.
Intracanial hearing aids and CICs
In intra-channel hearing aids, the electronic components are located directly in the mold. There are two types of intracanal hearing aids: those that rest in the arch of the outer ear or those that are located within the ear canal. Intra-channel hearing aids require that the ear canal be of a certain shape and size. To be able to use these hearing aids it is also important that the user has a good motor and vision, since these can be difficult to manage and maintain for people with a bad sight.
An intracanal hearing aid for the right ear has a red dot, and for the left ear a blue dot. The CICs are miniature hearing aids with a nylon extraction wire located next to the battery compartment. The extraction wire is necessary to be able to remove the hearing aid from the ear. A CIC hearing aid beeps when turned on, which means that the hearing aid and the battery work. By correctly placing the hearing aid in the ear canal, the beep stops. The CIC hearing aid switches off by opening the battery compartment.
The battery and the on / off switch:
The location of the battery compartment in intra-channel hearing aids varies depending on the model.
In some types with vertical stack, the on/ off function is incorporated in the battery compartment. When the compartment is closed, the hearing aid is on. If the compartment is opened slightly and a "click" is noted, the hearing aid is switched off.
Volume control:
The volume control is regulated in various ways in intra-channel hearing aids. In some hearing aids, the volume control is a small flat wheel that can be turned with the tip of your finger to the right or left to increase or decrease the volume. In others, the volume control is a small vertical gear that can be turned up or down. Fully automatic hearing aids do not usually have manual volume control.
M-T switch: If the hearing aid is equipped with an inductive coil, there are two settings: 1) The position Microphone or Inductive coil or 2) The position Microphone and Microphone / Inductive coil. The desired position is selected by pressing the battery compartment for a few seconds. In remote-controlled hearing aids, the Inductive Coil position will be located on the remote control.
Hearing aids with multiple programs
To reduce the discomfort caused by background noise and make it more comfortable for the user to hear and get the most out of the music, there are hearing aids with several listening programs that are adapted to the individual needs of each one. These hearing aids are available with and without remote control. To facilitate handling, in some hearing aids the functions have been transferred to a remote control that is easier to handle. This means that in the remote control you can choose between microphone and inductive coil, change the hearing program and increase or decrease the volume. The remote control has its own battery.



Pocket hearing aid
The pocket hearing aid is a small box containing electronic components, a cable with a headset and a mold. It is equipped with start / stop function, M-T switch, volume control and an N-H control. If the hearing aid is placed in the H position, the bass tones are separated and the treble tones are enhanced. This can facilitate speech intelligibility in situations with a lot of background noise. The normal position is N. The size of the pocket hearing aid makes it easier for people with difficulties to see or handle behind-the-ear or intra-canal hearing aids, which are smaller in size.