People with mild to moderate hearing problems are candidates for completely-in-canal (CIC) hearing aids – the smallest of the hearing aid styles available today. CIC hearing aids are different than other devices due to their size, custom fit and location in the ear canal. CIC hearing aids offer several pros for the wearer, as well as a couple of cons that you should be aware of before getting one.
Advantages – Completely-in-Canals are small and their size and fit hold several aesthetic as well as listening advantages. Because of their small size, it’s difficult for others to notice a CIC without looking for it and it works automatically without extra knobs and buttons to control. They may be more comfortable to wear due to their custom fitting. A few completely-in-canal hearing aid models can also be worn for extended periods of time, up to several months in most cases, so you won’t be inconvenienced by having to remember to take out your device when showering or sleeping. Models that cannot remain in the ear are equipped with a tiny string for easy removal. Because the device is inside the ear, your outer ear keeps away wind noise and allows you to use the telephone with ease. Additionally, the natural anatomy of the ear helps guide sound to the instrument, which improves the directionality of the sound.
Disadvantages – Because the CIC hearing aids are small, they are generally less powerful and go through batteries faster than larger ones. They are generally the more expensive option because they are custom fitted to the wearer’s ear. Additionally, their tiny size doesn’t leave room for extra features, so you won’t be able to adjust the volume or experience directional sound (the sound in front of you appears louder than one that coming from somewhere else). Moreover, CICs are not powerful enough for people with major hearing loss.
