Open Fit Hearing Aids
Thanks to their extremely small size, these aids are nearly invisible to most observers. Size matters, and in this case, it means that smallness is prized. Some may also refer to these devices as Open Ear Hearing Aids. This is a new technology, and is an improvement on BTE Hearing Aids. The shell that fits around the ear tends to be smaller and the whole aid is much lighter than the older aids.
There is much research being done to improve Open Fit Hearing Aids for people with severe hearing loss. At present, those with high frequency hearing loss and normal to low frequency hearing may get the most benefit out of these aids.
A symptom of high frequency hearing loss is being able to hear, but not understand, what is being said.
These aids are lightweight and many users forget they are wearing something after just a short while. Another big difference is that standard hearing aids have an ear mould; these do not, so the wearer’s ear canal is open.
Benefits
Besides not causing occlusion, which is really just a fancy term for blockage, Open Fit Hearing Aids may not be much more expensive than regular in-the-ear or behind-the-ear hearing aids. Some users may find the automatic controls to be an advantage and the fact that they are not custom made, could make them easier to fit. This also means that the fitting time is considerably shorter because the audiologist does not need to take impressions of your ears to create the moulds.
No longer will it feel as though you are talking with one finger stuck inside your ear. And that oh so familiar sensation of hearing your own voice echo while talking, will also be eliminated with an Open Fit aid.
How do these devices differ from what else is available?
Open Fit hearing aids have digital a feedback cancellation system that eliminates the horrible howling or squealing sound that so many wearers complain of.
They do not have visible controls and function automatically.