Which of the most popular ITC and CIC hearing aids is right for you?

After your hearing evaluation, when your hearing aid dispenser recommends that you consider wearing a hearing aid, you will usually be referred to a number of different types of hearing aids, except for larger behind-the-ear devices (BTE) that hang behind the pinna, and hearing aids that are external to the receiver (RIC), many users expect to wear invisible and beautiful custom hearing aids (in-the-ear) and do not want others to see that they are wearing hearing aids. If you're also looking to test a custom machine that fits in your ear canal, it's helpful to understand the pros and cons of each type of custom machine before you make a decision. Common custom-made hearing aids are in-canal (ITC), deep in-canal (CIC) and ultra-recessed (IIC) hearing aids, which are suitable for mild to moderate to severe hearing loss. If you're also looking for a custom hearing aid that looks invisible, the following detailed analysis can help you understand which of these hearing aids is best for you.

ITC hearing aids

ITC hearing aids are designed to be fixed in the canal of the ear, which is very small compared to the skull, and the skin tone appearance and the occlusion of the pinna help you improve your hearing without worrying that others will easily find your hearing aids.

Nowadays, almost everyone has a smartphone, and many people like to use the Bluetooth of their mobile phones to make calls and listen to music. Due to the suitable wearing position and body size, ITC hearing aids, such as the high-end FUGUE H series hearing aids from AUSTAR, have built-in wireless Bluetooth function, which allows the wearer to use the hearing aid to answer calls, listen to music and radio, etc.

The downside of ITC is that it does not provide sufficient sound gain for extremely severe deafness. For those who are susceptible to recurrent ear infections, ITC may also be inappropriate. On the other hand, there are pros and cons to the size of the ITC, because it is small enough that it may not be visible from the back that the hearing aid is worn, but also because it is small, the ITC requires more skill to remove from the ear than a behind-the-ear hearing aid, and the battery capacity is relatively smaller, and the use time is shorter.

CIC hearing aids

CIC hearing aids are named "completely in the ear canal" and are suitable for mild to moderate to severe hearing loss. CIC hearing aids are popular because they follow the trend of miniaturization and meet the aesthetic needs of users, and it is almost impossible to see after wearing it, and it is difficult for others to notice it. Since CIC hearing aids are made from the ear canal, the earmold is very close to the shape of the ear canal, so it is very comfortable to wear, and sometimes you even forget that you are wearing a hearing aid. Some users will complain that they have ear blockage problems after wearing hearing aids, their voice sounds muffled like they are in a bucket, and the hearing aid has no use when the air vents are opened, but when they wear CIC hearing aids, the situation is greatly improved. This is because the occlusion effect is mainly caused by the vibration of the cartilage of the external auditory canal, and if the hearing aid penetrates deep into the bone of the external auditory canal, the vibrational energy of the cartilage can be released from the external auditory canal, thus significantly reducing the occlusion effect.

Similar to the shortcomings of ITC, CIC hearing aids are smaller and use smaller batteries, so they may need to be replaced more frequently and will not be able to provide enough sound for people with very severe hearing loss. Compared with ITC, CIC is relatively more expensive in terms of price, and adjusting the volume is not as convenient as large hearing aids such as behind-the-ear hearing aids. As one of the smallest hearing aids on the market, those with less dexterous hands may have some difficulty changing the battery and wearing the hearing aids.

Reliable hearing aid manufacturer

AUSTAR is the best hearing aid manufacturer and brand in China with medical standards, with CE, ISO13485 and FDA certificates. Choosing to do business with AUSTAR means that you will get competitive price, reliable quality, satisfactory after-sales service and OEM/ODM.

When purchasing hearing aids from China, the AUSTAR brand is the first choice, and you get what you pay for. Reliable!