Tag Archives: Hearing Loss Treatment

Hearing Aids Detroit

Different Types of Hearing Aids

If you have been noticing some of the signs of hearing loss, if you have recently taken a hearing test, or if your audiologist has said directly that it’s time to be fitted for hearing aids, then it’s time to start researching the different types and styles of hearing aids.

At Platinum Hearing Aids, our audiologists specialize in providing the right fit, style, and functioning hearing aid for each of our patients. Life can change quickly when hearing loss occurs, and when it comes to your hearing, we want everyone’s life to be as uneventful as possible. If you’re just starting your search for the right aid, here is some basic information on the types that we commonly fit patients with.

Completely in the Canal (CIC)

Made to help with mild to moderate hearing loss in adults, this type of aid is actually molded to the inside of your ear canal. They are the smallest and hardest to see, there’s less chance of picking up on wind or other noises, and they use small batteries. On the other hand, this type often doesn’t have other features, such as volume control, the batteries have a shorter life and can be hard to handle, and the speaker on the unit may become clogged with earwax.

Hearing Aids Detroit

In the Canal (ITC)

This type is also molded to fit your ear canal exactly and it fits just slightly in the canal. An ITC aid is used for mild to moderate hearing loss in adults. Because of the slightly larger size, the hearing aid has some beneficial features.

In the Ear (ITE)

There are two types of ITE hearing aids: one that sits in the bowl area of your outer ear, and one that sits on the lower part, or half shell of the ear. Both of these can be used for adults with mild to severe hearing loss. This type has features such as volume control that wouldn’t fit on smaller pieces. Because of the size, they are easier to handle and use a larger battery with a longer life. However, they are also easier to see and there is a bigger chance of picking up wind and other noises.

Behind the Ear (BTE)

As the name suggests, this type of hearing aid sits behind the ear. Another custom piece sits in your ear canal, called an earmold, that is connected to the hearing aid by a tune. This design treats all stages of hearing loss in people of all ages. This type is larger than the others, but there are new styles that are hard to see.

Receiver in Canal (RIC) or Receiver in the Ear (RITE)

These are similar to the Behind the Ear style, but have a speaker that sits either in the canal or in the ear. A wire connects the two pieces, instead of a tube. These are great for patients who want a hearing aid that is harder to see, but also wants the benefits of a larger piece.

Open Fit

This type is also similar to Behind the Ear aids. With this style, your ear canal is open to hear low-frequency sounds, and the hearing aid will amplify high-frequency sounds. These are harder to see, but have smaller parts that may be harder to handle.

If you want to be fitted for a hearing aid that increases your quality of life, get in touch with the audiologists at Platinum Hearing Aids. We are passionate about improving our patients’ lives.

Hearing Aids Detroit

The Dangers of Q-Tips and Benefits of Earwax

When you get out of the shower, you dry off with your towel and maybe some mornings or evenings you grab a few Q-tips and try to dry out your ears so you can get that full body clean feeling. But have you heard that using Q-tips may cause more harm than good? You don’t have to give up using these tools completely, but there is a right and a wrong way to use them. And using them incorrectly could cause serious damage to your ears and potentially your hearing.

At Platinum Hearing Aids, we have a team of audiologists who are passionate about educating our patients about all potential hearing issues, from tinnitus to hearing loss. Get in touch with us today for quality hearing aids and thorough treatment.

What’s Wrong With Q-tips?

“The rule of thumb with Q-tips is don’t put anything in your ear smaller than your elbow,” says William H. Shapiro, audiologist and associate professor at NYU Langone. When you insert a Q-tip to presumably remove wax from the area just outside the inner ear, what you are really doing is pushing any existing wax further into your ear.

Effects of Using Q-tips Incorrectly

Your eardrum lies just beyond where you’re pressing the Q-tip, so the wax you’re trying to remove is really being pressed up against the eardrum. When a build up of wax occurs, it can prevent your eardrum from effectively vibrating, which is how you hear. Over time, this can lead to hearing loss.

If hearing loss hasn’t caused you to go in your bathroom and throw out any Q-tips you find, here’s another scary effect: insects. The wax in your ear is actually very beneficial and serves multiple purposes.

  • Safety Device: Wax helps to keep out spiders and other insects that try to crawl into your ear at night.
  • Lubrication: Wax keeps your ear canal lubricated to prevent it from becoming dry and itchy.
  • Acidic: Wax is acidic, which will help prevent fungus from growing in your years.
  • A Trap: Along with spiders, wax also keeps our hair, dust, and dead skin.

What is Wax?

Have you ever wondered what wax is made of? The proper name for earwax is cerumen, and it only occurs in the area just outside of the ear canal. In this area, there are thousands of sebaceous glands, which you can blame for oily hair, and sweat glands. The substance secreted by these glands is what the wax develops from.

How to Safely Use Q-tips

Many audiologists may tell you that there isn’t a safe way to use Q-tips, but if you just have to clean your ears, only swab the outside of your ear. If you do need a build up of wax removed, schedule an appointment with a doctor to have it safely and professionally removed.

What Not to Do

Avoid pushing the swab into your ear, even if you are being extremely careful. If you are considering using the ear candling method, don’t. This method uses pressure to pull out the wax, which can also cause damage to your eardrum.

Always keep in mind that earwax is good for you and it should stay in your ears! If you have any questions, get in touch with Platinum Hearing Aids today.