The intervention methods for deafness are diverse, among which hearing aids are one of the most commonly used and safe methods to improve listening and speech communication ability. the initial era of sound collectors, through the rapid development of the carbon age, vacuum tube age, transistor age, and integrated circuit age, it has now entered the era of full and artificial intelligence, which can better meet the needs of the deaf population and provide higher quality listening experience. There are many brands and types of hearing aids, and how to choose suitable hearing aid is a matter of concern for every deaf person and their families, as well as for all clinical otolaryngologists, audiologists, and hearing aid dispens.
1.Types of Hearing Aids
Based on the conduction pathway of sound waves, hearing aids can be divided into conduction hearing aids, bone conduction hearing aids, and special types of hearing aids — signal transduction hearing aids, as shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1 Types of hearing aids
1.1 Air Con Hearing Aids
Air conduction hearing aids collect sound through microphones, process it by nonlinear amplification and compression, and transmit the processed sound signals to the auditory center of the through receivers. According to their appearance, air conduction hearing aids can be divided into box-type, behind-the-ear type, and custom-made hearing aids.
box-type hearing aid, also known as body-worn or pocket-type, is similar in appearance to a small radio, with built-in microphones, amplifiers and batteries, connected to headphones and earpieces by a long lead. Due to its poor concealment, high background noise, and low sound quality, it has gradually been replaced other types of hearing aids. The behind-the-ear hearing aid is named because the body of the hearing aid is placed behind the auricle when worn, and it is widely used type of hearing aid at present. According to the position of the receiver, it can be divided into traditional behind-the-ear hearing aids (BTE) and receiverin-the-canal hearing aids (RIC), as shown in Figure 2. The receiver of the BTE is located inside the housing of the hearing aid, the sound is transmitted to the external auditory canal through the sound guide pipe; the receiver of the RIC is connected to the ear canal through a thin wire, also known as open-fit digital hearing aid, with a smaller behind-the-ear housing part, which can change the power of the hearing aid by replacing the receiver to meet the listening needs patients with different degrees of hearing loss. Custom-made hearing aids need to be customized according to the shape of the user’s concha and external auditory canal, with all located inside the housing, without the need for connecting parts such as leads, sound guide pipes, and earmolds, and can be divided into in-the-ear (ITE, in-the-canal (ITC), completely-in-the-canal (CIC), and invisible-in-the-canal (IIC hearing aids according to the volume of the body, as shown in Figure 3.
Figure 2 Appearance and wearing effect of BTE and RICFigure 3. Appearance and wearing effect of various types of custom hearing aids
1.2 Bone-conduction Hearing Aids
Bone-conduction hearing aids also collect sound byphones, and convert the amplified electrical signals into mechanical vibrations in a way that bypasses the outer and middle ear by vibrating the skull bones (such as the bone and mastoid, and transmit them to the inner ear, as shown in Fig. 4.
Figure 4: Principle of bone conduction and air conduction
Based on whether surgery is required for implantation, bone-conduction hearing aids can divided into implantable and non-implantable. The implantable consists of an internal implant and an external processor, which are connected by a skin base or magnetic attraction, such bone anchored hearing aids (BAHA), bone bridges, etc.; Non-implantable forms include eyeglasses, headband, soft band, adhesive, and tooth, etc. According to whether the skull is vibrated directly, bone-conduction hearing aids can be divided into direct bone conduction and transcutaneous bone conduction. Direct bone conduction to the bone conduction oscillator directly adhered to the surface of the skull, such as bone anchored and tooth conduction, while transcutaneous bone conduction refers to the bone conduction oscillator closely to the skin, and the vibration is transmitted from the skin to the skull, such as bone bridges and most non-implantable bone-conduction hearing aids belong to transaneous bone conduction.
1.3 Signal Binaural Routing Hearing Aids
Signal binaural routing hearing aids are a special type of hearing aids, for patients with asymmetrical hearing loss (AHL) and single-sided deafness (SSD), that is, one ear is completely deaf or severely hearing impaired, the other ear is partially hearing impaired or basically normal. Signal binaural routing hearing aids are divided into two categories: one is the use of wireless transmission mode, which transmits sound collected on the poor ear side to the good ear side, and uses the auditory pathway of the better ear to transmit the sound on the poor ear side to the auditory. According to whether the microphone (i.e., amplification compensation sound) is configured on the good ear side, it is divided into bilateral signal binaural routing hearing aidsbilateral contralateral routing of signal, Bi-CROS) and unilateral signal binaural routing hearing aids (contralateral routing of signal, CROS), former configures the microphone to compensate for the better ear hearing, as shown in Fig. 5; the other is the trans-cranial signal binaural routing hearing (trans-cranial contralateral routing of signal, T-CROS), which is received by the auricle-mounted hearing aid on the poor ear side and the sound signal is transmitted to the oscillator in the ear canal on the same side, and the sound is transmitted to the cochlea of the good ear side through the of the skull.
Figure 5: Working principle of CROS and Bi-CROS
2.How to choose the right hearing aid
How to choose the right hearing aid, air conduction bone conduction? Behind-the-ear or custom-made? Is a more expensive hearing aid necessarily better? To answer the above questions, it is necessary to consider a variety of, such as the nature and degree of hearing loss, age and operational ability, external and middle ear conditions, listening needs, comfort, aesthetics and cost-performance ratio.
2.1 Air conduction or bone conduction?
The human ear perceives sound mainly through the air conduction pathway. The sound conduction mode of air conduction hearing aids is closer to normal listening state of the ear, and compared with bone conduction hearing aids, they have a wider frequency response range, more complete sound signal transmission, less energy loss and higher sound transmission. Therefore, in general, air conduction hearing aids are preferred. However, there are some special cases where bone conduction hearing aids can be considered for use, such as congen microtia, atresia or stenosis of the external auditory canal, or mastoidectomy with a large cavity left over. These patients do not have normal auditory canal structures and cannot wear earpieces, eardrums or custom-made hearing aids; patients with perforated tympanic membrane and long-term recurrent ot media are prone to otitis externa and otitis media infection after occlusion of the external auditory canal, and the receiver in the ear canal is also prone to damage from erosion. It is recommended to choose bone conduction hearing aids first, or to wear air conduction hearing aids after surgical repair of the tympanic membrane and dry ears. In addition, with oily earwax are not recommended to choose custom-made hearing aids because secretions can easily cause frequent damage to internal components and shorten the service life. Bone conduction hearing are suitable for patients with conductive deafness, sensorineural deafness with preserved bone conduction hearing and mixed deafness because of their small maximum sound output and are more suitable for to moderate hearing loss. For unilateral severe or profound hearing loss, bone conduction hearing aids or signal transmission hearing aids should be prioritized according to the hearing status of the other ear
2.2Behind-the-ear or custom-made?
Behind-the-ear hearing aids are the most widely used type of hearing aids at. They have a large range of power selection and are suitable for patients with mild to severe hearing loss. However, custom-made hearing aids, due to the limitations of space, and receiver position, the smaller the volume, the smaller the range of power selection, and the more suitable for patients with mild to moderate hearing loss. For hearing-impaired individuals with a high-frequency drop, normal or mild decrease in low and mid-frequencies, it is recommended to choose behind-the-ear hearing aids first, with the receiver with an open earpiece of the appropriate size to release low-frequency energy and thus reduce the feeling of occlusion. Since the shape of the external auditory canal of and children has not yet been finalized, wearing custom-made hearing aids requires frequent replacement of the body shell, which adds additional financial burden. However, behind-the-ear hearing only need to replace the eardrum of the appropriate size regularly. For some elderly hearing-impaired individuals with poor finger dexterity, ITC, CIC, I and other custom-made hearing aids are relatively more difficult to use because of their more delicate appearance and smaller external adjustment keys and battery size. Therefore, from the perspective of daily use, slightly larger ITE or behind-the-ear hearing aids are more suitable.
2.3 Is it better to choose the most expensive one?
The price of a hearing aid ranges from a few thousand to tens of thousands, does that mean the more expensive the better? This is not necessarily the case. Price is not the only factor that determines the quality of a hearing aid, and it should be considered comprehensively based on the user’s degree of hearing loss, financial budget, and listening needs. Technology and functions are key factors that determine the price of a hearing aid. Just like electronic products such as mobile phones and computers, the more advanced the chip used in a hearing aid, the faster the computing speed, the more channels, the more precise the processing of sound, and the clearer the sound quality, the more expensive the price will be. Some hearing aids also have advanced technologies and functions such as noise suppression, automatic focusing, wireless connection, wind noise management, remote control, direct audio input, frequency shifting technology, tinnitus masking, etc., which will also increase the cost of the hearing aid. Generally speaking, the heavier the degree of hearing loss, the greater the power of the hearing aid needed, and the higher the price. If the user’s daily life and work environment is more complex, in the case of allowing financial conditions, it is recommended to choose a hearing aid with stronger noise reduction ability, more channels, and more functions. In addition, the price of a hearing aid is also closely related to its appearance. For example, custom-made hearing aids such as ITC, CIC, IIC, due to their more delicate and small appearance, have higher technical requirements for production, so the price is higher compared to the same type of behind-the-ear hearing aids. Hearing aids need to be adjusted or maintained regularly during use, and good after-sales service is also an important factor affecting the price of hearing aids.
In conclusion, before wearing a hearing aid, it is necessary to have a perfect professional audiological test and necessary imaging examination to clarify the nature, degree, trend of the hearing curve, and the cause of hearing loss, combined with the user’s age, operational ability, external and middle ear conditions, listening needs, economic ability, and other personal conditions, to choose a suitable power and type of hearing aid. On the basis of ensuring listening effects, it is necessary to insist on wearing it for a long time. Therefore, it is necessary to pay close attention to the comfort of wearing, rather than blindly pursuing beauty and invisibility.
The hearing aid dome is the “bridge” connecting the hearing aid to the user’s ear canal, and its functions cover three dimensions: acoustic optimization, physical fixation, and health protection. When choosing, it is necessary to consider the type of hearing loss, the anatomy of the ear canal, lifestyle, and the model of the hearing aid comprehensively, and to adjust under the guidance of a professional audiologist to maximize the hearing effect. The role of the hearing aid dome is not only about comfort but also directly affects the transmission effect of sound and the overall performance of the hearing aid. Below is a detailed guide to choosing a hearing aid dome, covering types, applicable scenarios, precautions, and maintenance suggestions to help you make the right choice based on your personal needs: 01 hearing aid dome types and characteristics 1 Standard hearing aid dome (universal type) 2 Custom ear mold 3 Open hearing aid dome (with ventilation hole) 4 Closed hearing aid dome 5 RIC/RITE dedicated hearing aid dome 02 Key Factors to Consider When Choosing Ear Plugs 1 Degree of Hearing Loss 2 Comfort and Fit 3 Management of Plugged Ear Effect 4 Usage Scenarios 5 Special Needs 03 Notes for Trial and Adjustment 1 Professional Fitting: 2 Feedback Squealing Troubleshooting: 3 Comfort Test: 04 Maintenance and Replacement of Ear Plugs 1 Cleaning Methods: 2 Replacement Cycle: 3 Storage Recommendations:
Nowadays, Bluetooth technology has been widely used in various fields, and the hearing aid industry is no exception. For example, the Bluetooth technology we often use been well applied to hearing aid products, bringing more convenience and practicality to the user experience. Many functions that could not be realized in the past have now been realized through technology. The Bluetooth function of the hearing aid is the biggest change in the function of the hearing aid in recent years. The advantages of Bluetooth hearing aids Bluetooth hearing aids integrate Bluetooth functionality, allowing wireless connection to your mobile phone or television. This is a very convenient feature for hearing aids. With Bluetooth hearing aids, mobile phone or television signals are transmitted directly to the hearing aid via radio (Bluetooth), and the effect is very good, with no distortion and no loss of signal. Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids can be wirelessly programmed, connected to mobile phones to make calls and listen to music, connected to wireless microphones to achieve long-distance communication and communication, wirelessly connected to televisions, etc., watching TV will not affect others, making listening clearer. Moreover, Bluetooth hearing aids can also be wirelessly connected to debugging software, making it more convenient to debug hearing aids. Real-time APP connection Bluetooth functionality is not just about connecting hearing aids to your phone, it also works in conjunction with a Bluetooth hearing aid app, which allows you to control your hearing aids from your phone at any time and anywhere. However, some Bluetooth hearing aid models or brands have their own app applications, which can fully leverage the advantages of Bluetooth functionality. Solving the problem of making phone calls The problem of unclear and inconvenient phone calls has been solved. The hearing aid only needs to be paired and connected with the mobile phone’s Bluetooth. When there is an incoming call, the Bluetooth hearing aid becomes a wireless Bluetooth headset, avoiding the feedback phenomenon of the hearing aid. Solving the problem of watching TV The Bluetooth headset can effectively reduce the attenuation of sound. Some deaf users like to watch TV, but ordinary hearing aids are still not very effective. Now that there is a Bluetooth hearing aid, you can pair it with a TV box for watching TV. After matching, the sound in the TV is directly transmitted to the hearing aid, which improves the listening effect and does not affect the family watching TV. Realizing long-distance transmission Bluetooth hearing aids can achieve long-distance transmission, with no attenuation of sound transmission, good transmission stability, clearer and more comfortable sound, less signal interference, and can be connected with wireless accessories for use. It can be connected with a wireless microphone, and the microphone can directly receive the language signal, which can achieve long-distance conversation, such as conversation places such as meetings and classrooms. Connect your phone to listen to music and scroll through videos Bluetooth hearing aids can connect to your phone via wireless Bluetooth function, which can better answer calls, watch videos, listen to music, etc. For deaf people who love music and like to listen to songs and scroll through short videos, this function is extremely friendly to them, and there is no need to worry about it. Reduce interference from the surrounding environment Wireless Bluetooth technology can effectively reduce interference from the surrounding environment. We can connect the hearing aid to Bluetooth and choose to attenuate the microphone function, so we only hear the signal sound from Bluetooth, and block other interference sources. With the increasing demand for telephone communication, video chat, watching TV, browsing short videos and other behaviors deeply into everyone’s life, our demand for hearing AIDS will also change. Therefore, when the existing hearing AIDS can not meet the above behaviors, you can consider using a wireless hearing AIDS, through the wireless connection between hearing AIDS and devices, so that listening effects are better. However, no matter how convenient the wireless Bluetooth function of the hearing aid is, it is not perfect and still has shortcomings, such as high price, fast power consumption, model restrictions, unstable signals and so on. In fact, wireless Bluetooth hearing AIDS are not the needs of all hearing aid users, users can choose according to their own actual situation, believe that in the future, the wireless Bluetooth technology of hearing AIDS will be better and better.
Why do hearing aids vary so much in price? If you’re considering purchasing a hearing aid, you might be surprised to find that the price range in the market can be extremely wide—from cheap devices costing a few tens of dollars to high-end models that can go up to a few thousands. Why is there such a big price gap? Is an expensive hearing aid really better than a cheaper one? This article will provide you with a detailed analysis of the factors behind the price of hearing aids, helping you make a more informed decision when it comes to making a purchase. First and foremost, the price difference of hearing aids is closely related to their types. Currently, hearing aids on the market are mainly divided into the following categories: (1) Over-the-Counter (OTC) Hearing Aids (2) Standard Digital Hearing Aids (3) High-end Custom Hearing Aids (4) Implanted hearing aids (such as cochlear implants) (1) Material The materials used in cheap and expensive hearing aids are different. Hearing aids made from low-cost materials have a shorter lifespan and the sound amplification and reproduction will have a significant distortion, affecting listening quality and satisfaction. Expensive hearing aids use better materials, which last longer and are less likely to break. The sound reproduction is more realistic and clear. (2) Technology Cheap hearing aids are more like a combination of speakers, amplifiers, and microphones. They simply amplify the sound without any processing, including amplifying the surrounding noise along with the sound into the ear canal. Expensive hearing aids have chips and algorithms. They process the collected sound, amplifying the speech sounds more and suppressing the noise. This makes the sound heard by the ear clearer and cleaner. (3) Function Cheap hearing aids can only simply amplify the sound, without noise reduction function, without strong sound interruption function, and are not friendly to the ears. Expensive hearing aids have an automatic noise reduction function, have an instantaneous loud sound interruption function, avoid too loud sound breaking the eardrum, and some expensive hearing aids have a Bluetooth direct connection function, which allows us to hear music and watch videos with a cleaner sound. (4) Service (5) Brand and market positioning (6) Appearance and customization (1) Advantages and Disadvantages of Cheap Hearing Aids (<$500) ✅Pros: ❌Cons: (2) Advantages and Disadvantages of Mid-Range to High-End Hearing Aids ($500-$5,000) ✅Pros: ❌Cons: 4.How to Choose the Right Hearing Aid for You? (1) Assess Your Hearing Needs (2) Set a Budget (3) Trial Period and After-Sales Service (4) Consult with a Hearing Expert As technology advances and market competition intensifies, the price of hearing aids may gradually decrease, especially with the growing popularity of OTC hearing aids that make it possible for more people to get help at a lower cost. However, high-end hearing aids will still maintain higher prices due to ongoing technological innovations. Conclusion: The most expensive is not always the best, but the cheapest may not be sufficient. The price difference in hearing aids reflects a combination of technology, service, and brand value. If you have mild hearing loss, OTC hearing aids can be a good choice; but if you need better sound quality and adaptability, investing in a mid to high-end hearing aid might be more worthwhile. Most importantly, make an informed choice based on your hearing needs, budget, and lifestyle, and consult a professional audiologist if necessary. We hope this article helps you understand the price differences in hearing aids and find the best solution for you! If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment and join the discussion. Your hearing health is worth the investment, choose the right hearing aid and let the world sound clearer! 🎧
