What are IIC Hearing Aids?

With so many hearing aids out there, it can be difficult to know which is going to be the right style for you. If you think you might need a hearing aid, get in touch with an audiologist to discuss your options. They will be able to tell you the exact extent of your hearing loss and inform you of what solutions are likely to be necessary in your individual case.

Wearing a hearing aid is one of the most common recommendations for treating hearing loss, of course, and a popular option is the invisible-in-canal (IIC) style. Let’s take a look at IIC hearing aids right now to see what they are best for and how they differ from other types.

What are IIC hearing aids?

An IIC hearing aid is also known as invisible-in-the-canal, and as the name would suggest, it is a type of hearing aid that is completely invisible to anyone looking directly at the ear. There are other types of hearing aid which sit in the canal, but the IIC is made specifically to be completely invisible. It is a little like the completely-in-canal (CIC) hearing aid, except with a few minor differences.

How it differs from CIC

The main difference between CIC and IIC is that the IIC sits further down the ear canal than the CIC, meaning that it is even deeper and therefore harder to see. The other main difference is that it is smaller than the CIC, again contributing to its invisibility but also making it a more comfortable option for many people. When choosing between CIC and IIC, you may want the latter if privacy is a main concern – as nobody will ever know you are wearing a hearing aid, even if they look directly in your ear.

Invisible control

Because the device is entirely in the ear canal, you can’t control it manually by touching the hearing aid itself. However, the upside of this is that you are able to control it remotely, and this remote control feature is usually extremely discreet – often small enough to fit onto a keychain with ease. You will have this dedicated external device on you to alter the settings whenever you need to, giving you a much easier control than you have with some other types of hearing aid.

Natural sounds

Because of the location in the canal, this type of hearing aid provides an incredible natural sound experience. That’s because your ear is still able to carry out its natural functions, such as using the outside of the ear as a kind of funnel for the sound. You’ll also experience reduced wind noise and similar distractions, which can help you in hearing a lot more effectively.

If you think that you might need a hearing aid, be sure to contact your audiologist for an appointment at your earliest convenience.