It is necessary to get a hearing test performed by an experienced audiologist when you want to be fitted with a hearing aid. Unfortunately, this is not convenient for people with very little time to spare. It is important to look for an alternative, such as an in canal hearing aid that may be purchased over the counter or ordered online.
What Do You Need to Know About the in-Canal Hearing Aid?
As is obvious from the term, this type of hearing aid is inserted into the ear canal to enable you to hear sounds clearly. It is important to know that the device will fit snugly into your ear canal without discomfiting you. This is suitable for people with mild to moderate hearing loss, either. Another aspect to keep in mind is that such hearing aids are also discreet and remain fairly invisible when used.
The in-canal hearing devices are available in two separate types, namely: –
- In-the-Canal (ITC) hearing aids– These devices are placed in the lower part of the ear and remain out of sight of the public. The devices are usually molded according to the shape of your ear. Additionally, they include features to control the volume and other settings individually. This characteristic makes such devices popular as well.
- Completely-in-the-Canal (CIC) hearing aids– These aids are extremely small in size and remain more or less invisible when inserted into the ear canal. With only the narrow wire being obvious, the general public is unable to know the presence of the aid. Being the best device to counter mild to moderate hearing loss, this type of aid is available from multiple companies and comes in diverse models. However, even the best CIC aid does not permit the user to control the direction of the microphone from the settings.
Reasons to source the CIC over the counter
With the FDA permitting the sale of the hearing aids over the counter, more users plagued with mild to moderate hearing loss find it convenient to purchase the device from their nearest pharmacy. What’s more? You may also order your chosen device online and have it delivered right to your doorstep.
There is no harm in buying the hearing aid online as long as it meets your requirements. Some of the benefits associated with OTC devices include the following: –
- No hearing test or professional guidance from a medical professional is needed to buy the hearing aid.
- The device will come with set features and a standard design with no room for customization.
- While the standard OTC hearing aids do not improve hearing in noisy environments, the best quality devices come with noise reduction features, making them suitable for all users.
- Yes! You will be responsible for maintenance and troubleshooting as required. However, the instruction manual that comes with the product can help you continue using it effectively.
Users have expressed satisfaction after using a quality in canal hearing aid, which may be ordered from the dealer/company or sourced over the counter.
