Hearing loss is a common condition that affects many people around the world, regardless of age, gender or lifestyle. While it can be frustrating to be hard of hearing, great strides have been taken in the technology behind hearing aids which has produced many 
options for sufferers of hearing loss. With help from your Pittsfield ear, nose and throat specialist, Dr. Giulio I. Cavalli, you can choose the one that is most comfortable and beneficial to you to ensure that you get back to hearing clearly.
What style of hearing aid is right for me?
Hearing aids come in all shapes and sizes. There are important details to each style that can help in choosing the right device for you.
- CIC (Completely-in-Canal): These tiny hearing aids are designed to fit completely inside of the ear canal, making them the least visible style. Since it fits snugly inside of the canal, wearing this style decreases the chance to pick up noise from the wind. The CIC is suitable for mild to moderate hearing loss.
- ITC (In-the-Canal): The ITC is molded especially for your ear and rests partially inside of the ear canal. This type of aid works best for mild to moderate hearing loss.
- ITE (In-the-Ear): ITE hearing aids are made in two different styles. One fits into the inside, bowl-shaped area of your ear (called a full shell ITE), and one fits only in the lower part of the bowl-shape (called a half shell ITE). This aid is large enough to incorporate features such as volume control and is helpful in cases of moderate to severe hearing loss.
- BTE (Behind-the-Ear): While the largest style of hearing aid, BTE’s are also the most powerful. These aids fit over the top of the ear and attach to a mold that fits into the ear via a tube. They may be more susceptible to wind noise due to their size, but are affecting in any type of hearing loss, from mild to severe.
- RIC (Receiver-in-Canal)/RITE (Receiver-in-the-Ear): These aids are very similar to BTE’s, but are connected to the mold by a tiny wire rather than a tube.
- Open Fit: Open fit hearing aids are specialized to keep the ear canal clear and open. This means sounds with lower frequencies can enter the ear, and higher frequency noises are amplified by the device. Additionally, since the ear is open and not plugged, the wearer’s own voice sounds “normal” and not muffled. These aids help sufferers with mild to moderate hearing loss most.
Dr. Giulio I. Cavalli, M.D., P.C. and the staff at Giulio Cavalli Medical in Pittsfield, MA can help you find the perfect hearing aid for your specific condition. Call (413) 443-6116 to schedule an appointment today!