Completely-in-canal hearing aids, also known as CIC hearing aids, are becoming increasingly common. These hearing aids fit entirely inside the ear canal, making them mostly invisible to anyone who looks at you. While they're an excellent choice for many patients, they are not right for everyone. Ask yourself these questions to help determine if CIC hearing aids are the right choice for you.

Does the idea of wearing a hearing aid constantly appeal to you?

CIC hearing aids can be inserted and worn for months at a time. Many patients find this appealing since they don't have to worry about removing their hearing aid every day. However, others find it annoying to wear a hearing aid constantly. Though they are small, you may feel the hearing aids if you put pressure on your ear while laying in bed. Removing them nightly is an option, but only if you have the dexterity to do so (they're very small and can be tricky to apply if your hands shake or are stiff).

Do you mind replacing the batteries often?

CIC hearing aids tend to go through batteries more quickly than other types of hearing aids. This is because they are so small that they can only accommodate tiny batteries. Changing the batteries in these devices is an intricate task. So you'll want to make sure you're capable of doing this or that you have a friend or relative who can change the batteries for you as needed. If you're seriously considering CIC hearing aids, an audiologist will likely let you try changing the batteries to see whether or not you're comfortable doing so before you commit to buying this type of hearing aid.

Do you mind experiencing omnidirectional sound?

CIC hearing aids amplify sound in a way that makes it sound like all noises are coming from directly in front of you. Many patients are willing to deal with this because they really value the invisible quality of CIC hearing aids. However, if you want to hear sounds all around you, you may want to consider a behind-the-ear hearing aid with a multidirectional microphone instead. CIC hearing aids are simply too small to allow for multidirectional sound technology.

How serious is your hearing loss?

CIC hearing aids are only recommended for those with mild to moderate hearing loss. If you have major hearing loss, you'll want to consider more powerful options, like behind-the-ear (BTE) and in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids.

For more information, contact Audiology Consultants, P.C. or a similar organization.