While still slightly visible, in the canal (ITC) hearing aids are where discreet, hidden hearing begins. If you’re looking for a hearing aid that won’t easily be noticed, ITC hearing aids are a great place to start.
What Are In The Canal (ITC) Hearing Aids?
ITC hearing aids are lightweight single piece hearing aids that rest partly in the ear canal. They are custom made made to fit the size and shape of a person’s ear canal. They have a reputation for being both comfortable and easier to use. They are a bit smaller than ITE hearing aids, as they just fill the opening of the ear and not the entire area.
ITC hearing aids are mainly designed for people with mild to moderate hearing loss (although some severe hearing loss models exist).
While smaller and more discreet than in the ear (ITE) or behind the ear (BTE) hearing aids, some models of ITC hearing aids are still large enough to fit directional mics and have decent battery life.
What Are The Pros of ITC Hearing Aids?
The main draw of an ITC and other smaller ITE hearing aids is of course, the size. Because they partly fit into the ear canal, they are are less visible than larger styles. They also offer both cosmetic and listening advantages.
What Are The Cons of ITC Hearing Aids?
While smaller may be less noticeable, in the case of hearing aids it also means less powerful. The smaller size means less power & features – for those with more severe hearing loss or want many advanced features with their hearing aid, a traditional BTE hearing aid might better serve your needs.
In addition, the smaller size can make handling difficult and care more difficult. If you tend to drop things, then maybe a sturdier model would be better!
As with ITE hearing aids, ITC hearing aids are also not recommended for children.
Because ITC hearing aids fit into your ear canal, they are prone to earwax clogging the speakers.
The information in this guide has been written using the following reliable sources:
https://www.nidcd.nih.gov, https://www.mayoclinic.org/
