A Guide to ITC Hearing Aids

In-the-canal (ITC) hearing aids are also known as “half-shell” hearing aids. They look very similar to ITE (in-the-ear) hearing aids, but the main difference is they’re smaller and get fitted to the lower part of the ear – the ear canal.

As with in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids, ITC hearing aids get designed and custom-made for a unique fit to your ears. A mold gets taken of each ear to ensure a perfect and comfortable fit. ITC hearing aids are popular with people that prefer the smaller size compared with ITE styles.

If your audiologist confirms that you are experiencing hearing loss, they might recommend ITC hearing aids as one option to improve sound clarity and your quality of life. Learn more about ITC hearing aids and why they could be a good choice for your needs.

Why Should You Consider ITC Hearing Aids?

One of the reasons ITC hearing aids are popular is that they are discreet. Their small size makes them less obvious compared with other styles, including ITE ones. Your audiologist may recommend ITC hearing aids if you would prefer to wear discreet hearing aids.

Another reason to consider ITC hearing aids is that they are ideal for mild to moderate hearing loss.  They’re also easy to insert in the ears, especially as they are custom-designed for you and offer high comfort levels.

Many hearing aid users prefer using ITC hearing aids because of their ease of control and adjustment. They feature basic controls, with only advanced settings needing external adjustment.

You might also want to consider ITC hearing aids because they make life easier when using the telephone or a mobile phone. The reason is simple: you don’t need to hold a phone at an angle as you might do with other styles of hearing aids.

If you have a job that requires plenty of telephone use each day, it makes sense to invest in discreet hearing aids like these, which fit perfectly inside your ear canals. Lastly, maintaining ITC hearing aids is a straightforward process.

Comparisons With Other Hearing Aid Styles

ITC hearing aids are one of the few smallest examples on the market. They’re smaller than ITE ones as they only get installed in the lower half of the ear. What’s more, they are simple to fit and remove when required.

Some controls must get managed externally with a remote control or smartphone app as it’s impossible to fit all controls on each hearing aid’s exterior due to the small size.

Potential Downsides to ITE Hearing Aids

Although there are many benefits to having ITC hearing aids, there are some disadvantages you must keep in mind. For instance, while they are a discreet design, they aren’t an invisible one.

Secondly, they aren’t suitable for people with dexterity issues or visual impairments as they require a high level of maintenance. That’s because they are very susceptible to natural ear moisture and earwax. Of course, that’s the trade-off with having such small hearing aids.

ITC hearing aids make sense for individuals experiencing mild to moderate hearing loss that want a discreet solution but are okay with regular maintenance requirements.