Hearing Loss and Choosing Your Hearing Aid
General awareness information. Diagnosis and treatment are decided by a specialist after assessment.
Possible signs of hearing loss
- Often asking people to repeat.
- Difficulty following speech in noise.
- Turning the TV up louder than usual.
- Ringing or a blocked feeling in the ear.
Hearing aid types
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Behind-the-ear (BTE / RIC) | Most common; suits a wide range of hearing loss. |
| In-the-ear (ITE / ITC / CIC) | Smaller and worn in the ear; suits some cases depending on ear canal and loss. |
How to choose
- Get a hearing assessment to know the type and degree of loss.
- Consider your lifestyle: work, meetings, sport, phone use.
- Comfort, ear shape and ease of handling.
- Budget and follow-up care.
Do not buy hearing aids without a hearing assessment.