Hearing Aid Lingo Explained | health article

Hearing aid experts seem to sometimes speak in code. Understand exactly what they are saying by being able to decode some of the most often used terms. We?ve included a short list below as well as an easy-to-understand description of each one. Even if you understand these, medical professionals may sometimes forget to speak in an understandable language that the general public can easily decode. If this happens to you, always ask the doctor or specialist to slow down and to explain, in plain terms, what they mean. This way, you will never be in the dark about any treatment or hearing aid.

Some of the most commonly used lingo includes:

- BTE ? Remember the hearing aids designed to be worn behind the ear? These used to be one of the only hearing aid options. BTE stands for ?Behind the Ear.?

- RITE ? This is the new option in hearing aid technology. Short for ?Receiver in the Ear,? these aids have a tube that ends up toward the behind of the ear. The receiver is placed in the ear canal. The look is natural; this device is barely detectable. It?s a favorite for people worried about the hit to their vanity that having a hearing aid can inspire.

- ITE ? This aid is ?In the Ear,? and it?s a first choice for protecting the ear. These can be built specifically for your ear, and they are molded to perfectly fit inside.

- ITC ? The ?In the Canal? hearing aids can be seen by the naked eye. Part of the device is sticking out of the ear at all times, but it still is not hugely cumbersome.

- CIC ? The ultimate in hidden hearing aid technology, this aid is placed in the ear canal. No one can see it. Unless someone knew you had a hearing aid, they would never suspect that it was there.

Technological advancements make it a definite that more acronyms will be added to this list within a short period of time. However, if you understand the ones listed above, you are well on your way to becoming an educated hearing aid consumer; one who listens as the doctor spouts out information that sounds like another language to other people. Congratulations! You are well on your way toward selecting the hearing aid that is right for you and your unique challenges.

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