Invisible in the canal hearing aids are exactly what they say on the tin. They are invisible hearing aids and sit inside the ear canal making them invisible from the outside. These types of hearing aids are a perfect cosmetic solution if you do not want anyone knowing you wear hearing aids. Each invisible in canal hearing aid is custom made to each ear canal to ensure a perfect, comfortable fit.
The first step in deciding if these tiny marvels are the right fit for you starts with a hearing assessment and then a detailed examination of your ear. The ear canal needs to be the requisite size to house the invisible hearing aid and its components.
South East Hearing Care Centres have all the tools and expertise to go through your hearing journey with you and choose the correct solution for you. Book an appointment with a hearing care professional today and discover the best hearing aids for your needs.
What are invisible-in-canal hearing aids?
Invisible in the canal hearing aids are extremely small and offer the wearer discreet hearing aids to help combat hearing loss. Although tiny, the hearing aid offers powerful technology to really improve hearing, whilst being small and discreet in the ear.
Hearing aids have come a long way over the past century of electronic amplification devices and now there are a huge range of hearing aid styles available.
The evolution of invisible hearing aids
Starting as transportable table top, large cumbersome amplifiers, the next innovation in the 1940s was to have body-worn hearing aids which were significantly sized boxes which were secreted on the body with wires leading to the ears.
The next innovation was behind-the-ear (bte) hearing aids in the 1960s which we are very familiar with today. They were still quite large and very visible.
The 1980s heralded the first custom made in-the-ear hearing aids which filled the whole of the outer ear. This was a significant step in miniaturisation allowing the easy wearing of glasses.
In-the-ear hearing aids have gradually become smaller with half-shell, in-the-canal and now invisible-in-the-canal, the smallest custom hearing aids available now.
The advantages of invisible-in-canal (IIC) hearing aids
For anyone who is reticent to wearing hearing aids, the IIC is a perfect solution. We understand people’s reluctance to wear hearing aids and the reasons are varied and valid. The most recent IIC hearing aids are packed full of wonderful technology to ensure improved hearing and a better quality of life.
Being placed inside the ear canal places the hearing aid in the perfect place to capture sound using what is known as the Pinna effect. This allows the wearer to have improved sound localisation, less interference from background noise and less disruption from wind noise.
The disadvantages of invisible-in-canal (IIC) hearing aids
There are very few disadvantages from IIC hearing aids but it must be noted that due to their miniature size, there is no space for receivers or transmitters, Bluetooth or telecoils. That means the hearing aids cannot talk to each other and they cannot be controlled by the wearer, through electronic remote controls or mobile Apps.
Are IIC hearing aids right for you?
- IIC hearing aids cover a wide range of hearing losses and can cope with moderate hearing loss to severe hearing loss but not very severe or profound.
- These hearing aids are particularly good for active types as their fit inside the ear canal makes them very secure so can be worn whilst running or playing sports.
- They are very good for telephone use and more importantly they are an extremely discreet hearing aid.
A detailed hearing assessment and ear examination using microscopes and cameras will confirm whether an IIC solution is right for you.
Book a hearing aid assessment
South East Hearing Care Centres are able to provide IIC hearing aids at all our partner clinics and are highly skilled at acquiring the deep ear impressions required to make these tiny custom devices.
Book a comprehensive consultation through our website form submission or contact one of our partner clinics in Chichester, Horsham or Seaford.