According to the World Health Organization, 430 million people suffer from hearing loss, and by 2050 this number could rise to 700 million.
In Russia, approximately 9 million people are concerned about this problem, in the USA – 48 million.
If left untreated, hearing loss can have a negative impact on a person’s health and quality of life. Recent research shows that hearing loss can lead to depression, cognitive decline and an increased risk of dementia.
Many people with hearing loss use hearing aids. Typically, this is a device that fits into the ear and sticks out a little. But there are also more technological solutions, which will be discussed in this article.
The hearing aid can be completely invisible
Hearing aids are divided into several types, which have sizes and capabilities:
▪️ IIK – invisible in-canal hearing aid
▪️ CEC – deep in-canal hearing aid
▪️ ITC — in-canal hearing aids
▪️ ITE – in-ear hearing aids
▪️ behind-the-ear hearing aid —behind-the-ear hearing aids with insert
Class IIC and CIC devices are the least produced in the ear. At the same time, if CIC is still possible upon detailed examination, then IIC is not striking at all.
IIC hearing aids are placed deep in the ears.
IIC and CIC hearing aids are made to order. and are developed for a specific ear canal. Among them are Phonak Virto P Titanium and GN ReSound Custom.
CICs are slightly larger and more advanced than IIC hearing aids. However, they are both much smaller than traditional hearing aids.
The CIC is located in the ear canal and the IIC is located at the inferior curve inside the ear.
How CIC and IIC hearing aids work
Besides the battery, the CIC and IIC models have four main components:
▪️ Microphone, which picks up sound from the environment, converts it into electrical signals, and then sends these signals to an amplifier. Some models are equipped with nearby microphones.
▪️ Amplifier which supplies sound waves and sends them to a digital signal processor.
▪️ Digital Signal Processor (DSP)which processes sound, improves its quality and speech clarity.
▪️ Speakerwhich receives sound from the DSP and conducts it into the ear canal.
All these components are housed in one housing. There are no additional elements that are connected to the hearing aids in any way.
Some devices also feature noise cancellation, a pedometer, and slow fall detection.
However, many CIC and IIC models do not have features found in conventional hearing aids. For example, changing batteries and Bluetooth support for playing music. But there is an exception. For example, the Starkey Evolv AI CIC supports Bluetooth, and Eargo offers CIC hearing aids with replaceable batteries.
How a concealed hearing aid is made
Before purchasing a hearing device, you should have your hearing tested.
During the examination, the doctor must determine whether the patient needs to use a hearing aid at all. If necessary, you then select the type of portable device based on the person’s hearing status and wishes.
If CIC or IIC hearing aids do not conflict with the circumstances, the patient can order them either from a clinic that is a manufacturing partner or directly from the company’s office.
But to order a hearing aid, you will need to take impressions of both ears, which usually takes 5-10 minutes.
The impressions are then sent to a manufacturer to create custom hearing aids based on the shape of each ear. As soon as the device arrives at the clinic, the buyer is notified and invited to receive it and receive instructions.
You can also buy ready-made CIC and IIC hearing aids. They cost less than those made to order, although the price tags are still high. In Russia they cost an average of 100-300 thousand rubles, depending on the model.
Before purchasing them, you also need to consult a specialist, otherwise you will have a high chance of getting the wrong device.
Hidden hearing aids are not aimed everywhere
CIC and IIC hearing aids are ideal for people with mild to moderate hearing loss. If a person has severe hearing loss, then such devices are definitely not suitable for him.
Doctors also warn that people with very small ear canals or unusually shaped ear canals may have problems wearing such devices.
Because CIC and IIC hearing aids are located deeper in the ear canal, they may need repairs more often than other types of hearing aids.
Prices for hearing aids reach up to 700 thousand rubles.
The price of a CIC or IIC hearing aid depends on the country in which the person lives, the clinic where the order is placed, as well as other conditions of purchase.
Generally, CIC and IIC devices are the same. On average $3000-76000 (300-700 thousand rubles).
The main support that influences the price is the technology that is included in the hearing equipment. Determining the quality of speech, the presence of noise reduction, size, autonomy – these are the main criteria on which the price depends.
If a user only needs one hearing aid, the price is usually halved.
Manufacturers improve hearing aids every year.
Research shows that hearing aids significantly improve the quality of life of people with hearing loss, communication, social functioning and self-esteem.
CIC and IIC hearing aids are the best solution at the moment for people with hearing loss.
The high price of such devices is largely due to the complexity of production, because packing a large amount of technology into a miniature package is not an easy task. But over time, these hearing aids will become better and more functional. [Forbes]
Source: Iphones RU
I am a professional journalist and content creator with extensive experience writing for news websites. I currently work as an author at Gadget Onus, where I specialize in covering hot news topics. My written pieces have been published on some of the biggest media outlets around the world, including The Guardian and BBC News.
