The predecessor to Invisible in Canal hearing aids Completely in Canal, or CIC, are the second smallest type of hearing aids. These hearing aids are designed to sit inside the ear canal, with only the faceplate and battery cover visible, rendering them almost invisible for most people. CICs are suitable for those with moderate to severe hearing loss.
The benefits:
- Powerful enough for those with severe and profound hearing loss.
- Preserves the natural acoustics of sounds originating from in front or behind the listener.
- Good for using the telephone
- Are available in both wireless and telecoil options from most manufacturers
The limitations:
- May need to be ‘reshelled’ as ear canal cartilage can change shape and size over time, which will necessitate new ear impressions being taken and is not covered by the warranty.
- The omni-directional microphone picks up sounds from all around the listener equally, making it difficult to hear in noisy environments.
- Require more maintenance than other types and can be damaged by wax entering the microphone port.
- The smaller area means that they can be more prone to feedback and echoing.
- Not suitable for everyone’s ear anatomy. Movements such as talking and chewing may cause them to become loose, especially for those with straight, inclined ear canals.
Features:
- Custom made to fit your individual ears’ anatomy
- Recommended for all levels of hearing loss
- Almost invisible