Pros and Cons of ITC Hearing Aids

When it comes to choosing a hearing aid that suits you, there are a huge number of different options to consider. There is no hearing aid style that is suitable for everyone, which means you have to undertake a large amount of research to ensure you know exactly what you’re buying.

To try and make this easier for you, below, we’re going to discuss a particular type of hearing aid in detail. We’ll focus on in-the-canal (ITC) hearing aids; a popular choice that serves very well many people who are experiencing hearing loss. As well as covering the benefits these hearing aids can offer to you, we’ll also overview the potential downsides, so you can be sure you’re always making an informed purchasing decision.

Pros

ITC hearing aids are a great choice for many people and lifestyles, as they offer a range of benefits that many people find advantageous. For example…

• Very discreet. As the name suggests, ITC hearing aids are extremely discreet, as they sit inside the ear canal. This means they are largely unseen by onlookers. If you’re concerned about the aesthetics of wearing a hearing aid, ITC devices will likely appeal to you.
• Suitable for severe forms of hearing loss. Due to the nature of their design, ITC hearing aids sit close to the eardrum, which makes them suitable for all forms of hearing loss. If you have previously tried hearing aids that weren’t quite sufficient to deal with moderate to severe hearing loss, then an ITC hearing aid may be the answer you have been looking for.
• Easier to use with telephones and headsets. Again, this benefit is thanks to the inherent design of ITC hearing aids. As they sit in the ear canal, you should have no problems using a telephone and/or headset when your hearing aid is in place.

Cons

No type of hearing aid is perfect, and ITC hearing aids do have downsides that you will need to be aware of. Here’s a quick overview of their potential issues…

• Reduced battery performance. ITC hearing aids are smaller in size than other options, which allows them to be discreet, but also means that their battery power isn’t quite as robust.
• Tend to need the most repairs. Due to their proximity to the ear canal, ITC hearing aids tend to need more repairs, particularly for issues caused by moisture and ear wax. They are still good devices that shouldn’t be too problematic, but on average, they will require more trips back to the audiologist for maintenance and repair work.
• Not suitable for all ear canals. ITC hearing aids are not suitable for all ear canals, so your individual physiology may be a deciding factor on whether or not this kind of device will work for you. Your audiologist should be able to advise you further on this.

Like all devices, ITC hearing aids offer a range of positives and negatives. Now you have a thorough overview of what you can expect from ITC hearing aids, you can discuss your options with your audiologist safe in the knowledge that you’re informed of the realities of what life might be like with this kind of device.