As technology progresses, we often see things getting incredibly small. Everything from cell phones to home computers has shrunk significantly over the past couple of decades, as engineers find great ways of packing more tech into less space. And the same is true when it comes to hearing aid technology, especially in-the-ear or ITE hearing aids. Many hearing loss sufferers are going to their audiologist and finding out about ITE hearing aids, and here are some of the main benefits they will discover.

What are ITE hearing aids?

What exactly are ITE hearing aids? These particular hearing aids are custom built, so can come in all kinds of shapes and sizes. There are even varieties of ITE hearing aids within the broad scope of the term, for example, you can choose invisible-in-canal, or IIC, or use a more visible full shell hearing aid. Now, let’s take a look at the benefits you can expect from ITE aids.

Benefit 1: Discreet

Part of the reason why ITE hearing aids are becoming increasingly popular is that they are often highly discreet. However, it’s not as simple as saying that you cannot see any ITE device. In truth, the broad range of ITE varieties includes the full shell, which is one of the most obvious aids out there on the market today. That said, the IIC range is almost invisible to the naked eye, as they reside in the ear canal. If you want to buy ITE hearing aids for discreet reasons, make sure you chat with your audiologist for the full details of what is available.

Benefit 2: Easy to use

Another big attraction for people who suffer from hearing loss is they are desperate for something easy to use. And given that ITE is custom built devices that contain everything in one single unit, it’s much easier to maintain and keep clean than, say, a hearing aid with multiple parts. Essentially, it’s a lot easier and far less fiddly than having to use an external battery wrapped around your ear, and fitting or taking out a tiny microphone every time you use it.

Benefit 3: Comfort

As long as you and your audiologist get your fitting right, ITE hearing aids can be incredibly comfortable, to the point where users can often forget they are wearing them. Another of these comfort benefits is when users pick up a phone or use a headset  there are none of the discomforts you might have from wearing a behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid. The weight of your hearing aid is also important; the bulkier the aid, the more uncomfortable and heavy it will feel. With ITE hearing aids, it’s so easy to wear them as they have been fitted precisely for your ear shape and hearing requirements.

There are flaws with ITE hearing aids, of course. Handling the devices requires good dexterity so they may not be suitable for the aging or infirm. And, as your audiologist will tell you they may also be unsuitable as they aren’t as feature-rich as the larger, BTE alternatives. However, despite its flaws, many people suffering from hearing loss benefit greatly from these clever and inconspicuous devices; why not see your audiologist and see if they can do the same for you?