The Leading Types of Hearing Aids and Devices for Seniors

Hearing aids for mild hearing loss

Seniors with mild hearing loss may prefer a hearing aid with a lower profile, i.e. one that rests inside the ear and is harder to see with the naked eye. The trade-off is that smaller hearing aids may lack the power to significantly improve hearing in seniors with more severe hearing loss. Hearing aids that rest fully inside the ear also tend to be more susceptible to earwax clogging than other styles.

These are the three most discrete styles of hearing aid that seniors with mild hearing loss should consider:

Completely-in-the-canal (CIC). This style of hearing aid is molded to fit entirely inside the ear canal. It improves mild to moderate hearing loss, according to the Mayo Clinic.

• Pros:
  • Small and discrete
  • Less likely to pick up wind noise

• Cons:
  • Short battery life
  • Batteries can be hard to replace
  • Doesn’t tend to include extra features, such as built-in volume control

In-the-canal (ITC). This style is custom-molded to fit partly in the ear canal and can improve mild to moderate hearing loss in adults.

• Pros:
  • Less visible than larger styles
  • Includes features that can’t fit on a CIC

• Cons:
  • Not as discrete as a CIC
  • Features such as volume control can be hard to operate

In-the-ear (ITE). This type of hearing aid comes in two styles. They can be either full-shell, and fill most of the bowl-shaped area of the outer ear; or half-shell, and fill only the lower part of the ear. The Mayo Clinic claims that both options are helpful for people with mild-to-severe hearing loss.

• Pros:
  • More available features than CIC or ITC models, such as directional microphones, which allow for better hearing in noisy environments
  • Features are easier to use than those on a CIC or ITC
  • Longer battery life
  • More options for rechargeable batteries

• Cons:
  • More susceptible to wind noise than a CIC or ITC
  • Not as discrete as a CIC or ITC

Hearing aids for severe hearing loss

Seniors with severe hearing loss will most likely be prescribed hearing aids that rest on the exterior of the ear. External hearing aids tend to offer more amplification, and they often have features that in-ear styles lack, such as built-in volume controls and directional microphones.

Seniors with severe hearing loss should consider behind-the-ear, receiver-in-canal or receiver-in-the-ear, and open-fit styles:

Behind-the-ear (BTE). This style of hearing aid rests behind the ear and has a small tube that hooks over the top and connects to an earmold, which is custom-fit to the ear canal. The Mayo Clinic recommends this style for almost any type of hearing loss.

• Pros:
  • Higher levels of amplification than other styles
  • More available features than other styles, including directional microphones and rechargeable batteries

• Cons:
  • Tends to be the largest style of hearing aid
  • Susceptible to wind noise

Receiver-in-canal (RIC) and receiver-in-the-ear (RITE). These styles are similar to a BTE, except instead of tubing, they feature a tiny wire that connects to the speaker and receiver.

Telecoils and hearing loops

A telecoil, or T-coil, is an optional copper wire that allows hearing aids to receive wireless signals directly. Many public buildings with intercoms use inductive loop systems or hearing loops to broadcast public announcements directly to hearing aids with T-coils.

Once within the loop and with their T-coil setting activated, users can hear any broadcast on the building’s audio system. Hearing loops can be found in many churches, lecture halls, movie theaters, and concert venues.

Cochlear implants

Cochlear implants are an excellent option for seniors with severe or profound hearing loss. These small electronic devices are surgically implanted onto the back of the head to stimulate the nerve that controls hearing. The external part of the implant sits behind the ear and picks up sounds with a microphone. The sounds are then processed and transmitted to the internal part of the implant to create a sensation of sound.

While they cannot necessarily return lost hearing to previous levels, cochlear implants can improve the ability to understand speech, with proper rehabilitation and training from licensed professionals. According to John Hopkins Medicine, cochlear implant surgery is a safe and well-tolerated procedure. Seniors who think they might benefit from a cochlear implant should contact their doctor to discuss this and other treatment options for hearing loss.

Cochlear implants can cost between $30,000 and $50,000 if you pay out-of-pocket. Unlike external hearing aids, this option can often be substantially covered in cost by Medicare – up to 80%. Check the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Service’s National Coverage Determination for cochlear implants to see if you are eligible.

Over-the-counter assistive hearing devices

Several over-the-counter products can benefit seniors with mild hearing loss. Some options work in tandem with hearing aids, while others are for those who don’t have them. For seniors who are hard of hearing or deaf, assistance devices that can benefit them include:

Hearing amplifiers

Otherwise known as a personal sound amplification product (PSAP), hearing amplifiers are one variety of over-the-counter hearing loss products. These devices are not FDA-approved like a hearing aid, and they do not require an audiogram. While not meant to be used by people with severe hearing loss, they can assist hard-of-hearing seniors with everyday tasks like watching television, or conversing in a loud restaurant.

A wide range of these devices offer features often found in hearing aids, such as Bluetooth connectivity and directional microphones. Popular hearing amplifiers include:

• Otofonix Elite Hearing Aid
  • Price: $350-$750 per ear
  • Features: Background noise reduction, customizable settings, and an inconspicuous design that rests behind the ear.

• Williams Sound PockeTalker Ultra Duo Sound Amplifier
  • Price: $150
  • Features: Comes with headphones and earbuds, a year’s supply of batteries, and a 30-day risk-free trial.

Personal assistive listening devices

Seniors with hearing loss can also benefit from the vast array of personal assistive listening devices that are currently available. Common personal assistive listening devices include:

• Amplified telephones. These phones typically feature amplified handset receivers, simplified controls, and extra-loud ringers. They also often incorporate a visual element such as a flashing light. The VTech SN5147 Amplified Senior Phone is a popular and affordable option for seniors who have trouble communicating over the phone.
• Notification systems. Seniors dealing with hearing loss have several different options for notification systems. Most of these systems feature flashing lights, vibrations, and amplified sounds that notify a senior if an alarm is going off. The National Fire Protection Agency states that seniors who are deaf or hard of hearing should use alarms with strobe lights that are medically approved. Alarms for sleeping areas are also required to be intense enough to wake a sleeping person.
• TV streamers. TV streamers allow seniors to enjoy their favorite TV shows and movies at the volume they prefer. The device connects to a television and broadcasts the sound to a wireless headset. TV streamers are also great for couples who wish to watch the same show at different volumes.