Pros and Cons of In-the-canal (ITC) Hearing Aids

hand inserting itc hearing aid into model ear

Finding the right hearing aid for your own needs is a crucial step. There are a number of different hearing aid types and ensuring that you understand the differences and have taken everything into account when it comes to your requirements, comfort and level of hearing loss is vital. The hearing aid is there to improve your quality of life, and if it doesn’t, you should look for another option. If it does, then you know you’ve made the right choice. 

In-the-canal (ITC) hearing aids can be an ideal solution when you need assistance to improve your hearing. They fill about half the ear, and regarding their size, they are somewhere between in the ear (ITE) and completely in canal (CIC). 

The Benefits of ITC Hearing Aids 

Before you can decide whether ITC hearing aids are right for you, it’s important to know more about them. This will help you make a decision, although it’s also important to speak to your hearing aid specialist about what will work best for you; they’ll have the most up-to-date information available. 

One of the benefits of using an ITC hearing aid is that there are many different options. If you need to, you can add further features to the ITC hearing aid if they will help your hearing and improve your quality of life. 

Another benefit is that ITC hearing aids are custom-made. Therefore, they are possibly the most comfortable type of hearing aid. If you need to wear your hearing aid a lot of the time and comfort is important – which it will be for most people – then ITC could be an excellent choice. 

The Downside of ITC Hearing Aids 

Of course, along with the benefits, there are some downsides to using ITC hearing aids. One of these negatives is that they are quite small, and this can be problematic for those who have issues with dexterity; you’ll need to take them out to clean them, and if this becomes a challenge, you might not take care of them in the right way. 

Plus, ITC hearing aids aren’t ideal for those with the most severe hearing loss. They simply aren’t substantial enough, and it might be that a different kind of hearing aid is a much better solution. This is why it’s essential to discuss your requirements with a hearing health professional who will be able to offer the very best advice. 

Are ITC Hearing Aids Right for You? 

There is no right or wrong answer to this question. Certainly, ITC hearing aids will suit some people better than others, but until you have an in-depth discussion with a hearing health professional, you won’t know what your options are. 

In general terms, however, if you have mild or moderate hearing loss, an ITC hearing aid can be a good choice. As well as this, if your fine motor skills are good and you are happy to deal with the small size of an ITC hearing aid, you won’t have problems caring for them and therefore they could be the optimum choice.