If you and your doctor have determined that your hearing loss problem warrants a hearing aid, then you will want to speak with your hearing specialist about the options you have. Of course, educating yourself beforehand is always a good place to start. Therefore, take the time to learn a bit about the options you may have with regard to hearing aids in the following crash course.

Educating oneself is always the first step in conquering a new phase in life. When you educate yourself about a potential problem or medical issue, you gain power over the problem. It will allow you to break through from fear, worry, or anxiety as you learn the ins and outs of your health issue. It is no different with a hearing problem.

One option for hearing aids is a canal hearing aid. They are used for mild to severe hearing loss, although they are not strongly suggested for persons with severe cases as their size makes it more difficult to amplify their volume and overall power. One subtype of the canal style is a hearing aid that goes completely into your ear, making it hidden. The other subtype is one that still goes into the canal but is visible on the outside. Both are made to fit perfectly into your ear, meaning a model of your ear canal will be made in order to craft the devices specifically for you.

In-the-ear hearing aids are made to set just inside the ear, making it visible, just like the second subtype of the canal style. They are also used for mild to severe cases of hearing loss. Since they rest on the outer ear area, which grows with age, the in-the-ear style is not highly recommended for children. This style allows the hearing specialist to decide whether to equip your device with a special coil that can make listening to sound through speakers and telephones easier. The reasoning for this is that the coil uses a magnet rather than the usual hearing aid microphone. As you know, microphone and speaks can often interact, causing feedback. The magnetic coil removes the risk of such feedback, making it slightly easier on you to hear over the phone or speakers.

Behind-the-ear is the third style available. These are also used for mild to severe hearing loss. For children, it is the most common. Like the name suggests, the hearing aid itself with all the electrical parts sits behind the ear, which is connected to a small node fit inside the outer ear. The node can be placed fully inside the tube, invisible, or can fill the canal, making it even more visible than the canal or in-the-ear styles.

Apart from the three styles, there are two major types of electronics used. The two main types are digital and analog. You will work closely with your specialist to determine not only which style will best work for your needs and lifestyle but also which type of electronics will be used within your hearing aid. Either way, it will be specifically catered to you in a variety of ways. The technology in these small devices is truly amazing. The effect is even more amazing. People such as yourself who have experienced frustration and worry over the loss of hearing have been given a new lease on life thanks to these miniscule devices.