When most people think of hearing aids, they tend to think of bulky behind-the-ear contraptions worn by elderly citizens. Truthfully, hearing aids are available in all shapes, colors, and sizes! If you are looking for a discreet type of hearing aid, an in-the-ear hearing aid is an option worth considering.
What Is an In-The-Ear Hearing Aid?
An in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aid is a type of custom hearing aid that fits completely in your outer ear, specifically in the concha. The ITE hearing aid is built from a custom mold that is made of your own ear. ITE hearing aids are less bulky than behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids since they do not include the hard plastic case or tube that rest outside the ear.
Although ITE hearing aids are less bulky than BTE hearing aids, they are not completely hidden from view. If you’re looking for nearly invisible hearing aids, the in-the-canal (ITC), completely-in-canal (CIC), or invisible-in-canal (IIC) hearing aids are more appropriate. These smaller hearing aids fit further into the ear canal, making them harder to see by others.
In-the-ear hearing aids can be either half shell or full shell. A half shell hearing aid does not fill the upper portion of the ear like the full shell does. They usually contain all the same features. The half shell is a little smaller and therefore may be a little more difficult to handle for those with poor dexterity.
Best In-The-Ear (ITE) Hearing Aids
#1 Phonak Virto P-312
Phonak’s Virto P-312 hearing aids offer the most wireless connections you can find in an in-the-ear style hearing aid. They have universal Bluetooth connectivity for streaming music, phone calls, and other audio from a smartphone. They are also compatible with Phonak’s Roger system for more help in difficult listening environments, and can be remotely adjusted by your hearing professional via the myPhonak app.
Pros:
- Universal Bluetooth compatible
- Compatible with Phonak’s Roger Assistive Listening Device Roger
- Remote programming adjustments available
- Includes tinnitus balance program
Cons:
- Not rechargeable
#2 ReSound Custom
ReSound’s Custom hearing aids are one of the few custom-built rechargeable ITE hearing aids available. They have a unique design that makes them look like you’re wearing an earbud with all the hearing benefits and comfort of a custom hearing aid.
Pros:
- Rechargeable
- Looks like an earbud design with a custom fit
- Comes in black or skin tone colors
Cons:
- Is not hands-free calling on Android phones, only iPhone.
Who Can Wear an ITE Hearing Aid?
Typically, the smaller the hearing aid, the lesser the power, controls, and battery life available. The three smallest type of hearing aids (in-the-canal, completely-in-canal, and invisible-in-canal hearing aids) are generally not advised for those with severe hearing loss. Fortunately, ITE hearing aids are discreet yet still large enough to house larger batteries for longer battery life, directional microphones, and volume control. These characteristics make ITE hearing aids suitable for those with mild to severe hearing loss.
Benefits to Wearing an ITE Hearing Aid
There are many situations in which ITE hearing aids are more beneficial when compared to other types of hearing aids:
- When wearing eyeglasses, headbands, masks, or other accessories that rest on the ear, BTE hearing aids can interfere with these accessories and cause ear soreness over time.
- While exercising or performing a sport, some do not like the slight movement of BTE hearing aids.
- When one has large or clumsy fingers, ITE hearing aids are large enough to easily handle and manipulate when compared to smaller hearing aids that sit within the ear canal.
- When one is prone to losing small items, ITE hearing aids are preferred over the smaller hearing aids that sit within the ear canal.
- When it comes to wax buildup, ITE hearing aids require less cleaning and maintenance.
Who Should Not Wear an ITE Hearing Aid?
ITE hearing aids are only recommended for adults and not children. The small size of ITE hearing aids and their lack of tamper-proof battery covers can be dangerous to children. In addition, children need new molds made of the ear at least once a year as they grow. New molds for ITE hearing aids can become quite expensive.
Those with drainage coming from the ear canal should not wear ITE hearing aids. This may be due to chronic ear infections. The fluid draining from the ear will likely clog the ITE hearing aids and cause it to have consistent malfunctions.
Where can you get an ITE hearing aid?
There are two types of in-the-ear hearing aids; prescription and over-the-counter. Prescription in-the-ear hearing aids can only be purchased from a licensed hearing aid professional such as an audiologist or hearing instrument specialist. An over-the-counter ITE hearing aid can be purchased from online retailers, brick and mortar retailers or hearing professionals like Dr. Hearing Loss. If you need assistance with which OTC in-the-ear hearing aid is right for you, schedule a free consultation with us.
FAQs
What is the difference between a custom in-the-ear hearing aid and a non-custom in-the-ear hearing aid?
A custom in-the-ear hearing aid is customized to the user’s ear shape. “Custom” in this case does not have anything to do with sound, but has to do with how it fits in the ear. In order to make a hearing aid custom, an earmold impression is taken of the user’s ear canal and the hearing aid shell, which houses all the hearing aid electronics, is built based on that impression by the hearing aid manufacturer. Most prescription ITE hearing aids are custom.
A non-custom in-the-ear hearing aid does not involve an impression of the ear canal because the shape is not customized to the user’s ear. Instead, most non-custom in-the-ear hearing aids include several different tip options for the user to choose from. The tip sizes usually come in small, medium, and large, but sometimes there are more size variations available. The user should try out different tip sizes to see which one fits the most comfortably in their ear. All over-the-counter ITE hearing aids are non-custom so that an earmold impression is not needed.
Do ITE hearing aids hurt?
An ITE hearing aid should never hurt you and should go unnoticed while being worn. In fact, it may be hard to remember its even there! Any pain felt while wearing a hearing aid can be due to a poor fit or a protrusion on the hearing aid. A trip to an audiologist is recommended, where an audiologist can quickly adjust the hearing aid to better fit your ear.
It should be noted that wearing a hearing aid does require an adjustment period. It can take 2-4 weeks, sometimes longer, to get comfortable wearing a device in your ear. The brain also takes just as much time to adjust to newly amplified sounds. As you transition into wearing a hearing aid for the first time, it’s not unusual to feel fatigue or get headaches. However, these symptoms should go away as you become more acclimated to the hearing aid.
Will an ITE hearing aid make my ears itch?
There are instances where a hearing aid may cause some itchiness. In most cases, ear irritation is a result of the body adjusting to the hearing aid after an initial fitting. In other cases, itchiness can be caused by an allergy to the material of the hearing aid, a poor fit of the hearing aid, moisture trapped in the ear canal, or wax built up in the ear canal. All these causes for itching can be easily resolved by visiting the appropriate physician.
Are ITE hearing aids waterproof?
The Phonak Audeo Life hearing aid is considered waterproof (for a depth of 1/2 meter) and it is only available in the receiver-in-canal (RIC) style . ITE hearing aids are not waterproof, but most are considered water-resistant. This means that you must never dunk your ITE hearing aid in a swimming pool or take a shower with it on, but you should be fine running to your car while it’s raining outside.
Do ITE hearing aids whistle?
Yes, ITE hearing aids will whistle, or give feedback, when they are covered. They are comparable to BTE hearing aids in this way. You may get feedback while wearing earmuffs, laying on a pillow, or giving a hug but it should not be whistling at other times.
Can ITE hearing aids help with tinnitus?
Yes, ITE hearing aids can help minimize tinnitus symptoms. Hearing aids, in general, can be used to dampen ringing sounds while amplifying other sounds. There are also ITE hearing aid manufacturers that offer sound therapy features within the hearing aids, specifically targeted for tinnitus sufferers
How much does an ITE hearing aid cost?
The cost of one ITE hearing aid can range from $2,000 to $4,000. The cost varies depending on the model of the hearing aid and the amount of technology offered by the hearing aid. Current technology available for ITE hearing aids include noise reduction, Bluetooth, tinnitus relief, and phone apps. Your audiologist can help you pick what features are best for you.
Is an ITE Hearing Aid Right for You?
Deciding on the right hearing aid can be a difficult decision. There are many factors to consider, such as aesthetic, physical age, degree of hearing loss, and lifestyle needs. In-the-ear hearing aids offer a more compact alternative to behind-the-ear hearing aids, and a more powerful alternative to smaller in-the-canal hearing aids. An ITE hearing aid is a great option for adults with mild to severe hearing loss, who are looking for a hearing aid that is robust and easy to handle.
Sources
- Brad Ingrao, AuD. Best Hearing Aids for Tinnitus in 2022. https://www.seniorliving.org/hearing-aids/best/tinnitus/. February 10, 2022.
- Hearing aids: How to choose the right one. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hearing-loss/in-depth/hearing-aids/art-20044116. October 21, 2020.
- Hearing Aids. UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. https://www.chp.edu/our-services/audiology/patient-procedures/hearing-aids. Accessed February 19, 2022.
- Sally Wadyka. How to Get Used to Hearing Aids. https://www.consumerreports.org/hearing-aids/how-to-get-used-to-hearing-aids/. March 28, 2019.
- In the Ear Hearing Aids, ITE. Starkey. https://www.starkey.com/hearing-aids/styles/in-the-ear. Accessed February 19, 2022.
- Tao Cui, AuD. When Hearing Aids Cause Itchy Ears, What Can be Done? https://www.audiologyonline.com/ask-the-experts/when-hearing-aids-cause-itchy-12800. July 28, 2014.
- Tom Raines. How Much Do Hearing Aids Cost? https://www.consumeraffairs.com/health/hearing-aid-cost.html. August 25, 2021.
- Waterproof or Water-Resistant Hearing Aids? Audiological Services. https://audiologicalservices.net/audiology-blog-lufkin-tx/waterproof-or-water-resistant-hearing-aids. Accessed February 21, 2022.
Leave a Reply