Hearing Aid and Hearing Loss Terminology Explained

The diagnostic criteria for mild hearing loss are when adults cannot hear sounds below 25 decibels (dB) and children below 15 dB. However, mild hearing loss doesn't mean the condition is harmless despite what it may sound like. In fact, it can have a profound negative effect on your quality of life and ability to communicate. For example, you may have trouble following speech, primarily in noisy environments.

You have moderate hearing loss if you cannot hear sounds between 40 and 70 dB and have trouble following speech without hearing aids in noisy environments.

Severe hearing loss means that although you can hear some sounds, you can do so very poorly. People with severe hearing loss rely heavily on lipreading, even with hearing aids, and have trouble hearing sounds in the 70 and 94 dB.

Tinnitus is a perception of internal sound that is most often referred to as "ringing in the ear." It is a common condition associated with various underlying conditions, such as age-related hearing loss, circulatory issues, or injury to the auditory system.

Pulsatile tinnitus differs from tinnitus in that the internal noise you hear beats in synchrony with your pulse. High blood pressure or glue ear tends to be the underlying issue triggering this condition. Glue ear is when the empty middle part of the ear fills up with fluid, causing temporary hearing loss.

Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids are the most popular models. As the name suggests, they sit behind the ear and are either connected to a slim tube and dome or an earmold in the outer ear. The BTE models are suitable for most types of hearing loss.

Some people favor devices that go in the ear for functional and cosmetic reasons. The ITE hearing aids are fitted directly into the outer ear, and all components are inside the device's casing.

Like ITE hearing aids, canal hearing aids also fit inside the ear canal, including all the components within the device's casing. One key point to remember about canal hearing aids is that they are most suitable for mild to moderate hearing loss.

The two types of canal hearing aids are in-the-canal (ITC) and completely-in-canal (CIC) hearing aids. The difference between the two styles is that ITC devices fit your ear canal, CIC devices are fitted and almost completely hidden in the ear canal.

Receiver-in-canal (RIC) and receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) hearing aids are fairly similar to BTE devices in that the speaker (or receiver) sits in the ear canal. However, a tiny wire connects the device behind the ear to the speaker instead of a tube. RIC devices typically have directional microphones and manual control options. One downside to this style of hearing aids is that they are susceptible to earwax clogging the speaker.

An open-fit hearing aid is a slightly different version of a BTE hearing aid with a thin tube or the RIC hearing aid or RITE hearing aid with an open dome in the ear. The benefits of this hearing aid style are twofold: one, it keeps the ear canal open, which allows low-frequency sounds to enter naturally, and two, it amplifies high-frequency sounds. This feature makes open-fit devices excellent for better low-frequency hearing and mild to moderate high-frequency hearing loss.

A hearing device microphone works by picking up sound from the surrounding environment and converting acoustic signals into electrical signals. The three types of microphones are directional, omnidirectional, and adaptive.

Amplifiers increase the strength of the electrical signal.

Receivers transform the amplified electrical signal into an acoustic signal.

Hearing aid domes are tiny, pre-fitted, bell-shaped pieces of disposable plastic at the end of hearing aid tubes. Domes are designed to fit comfortably in your ear.

Slim tubes connect BTE hearing aids to a dome or earmold in the outer ear.

Retentions are particularly helpful to secure the hearing aid to a child's ear. Various retention options include elasticized headbands, pilot caps, or clip and cord combo.

Many of today's hearing devices come equipped with wax filters - tiny plastic screens - that keep earwax out of the speakers or receivers. Preventing earwax from accumulating around these components is important to avoid a drop in sound quality.

Rechargeable hearing aids require a quality charger. Many models are available with various features, such as a 4-hour charge for full-day use, an LED indicator to show charge status, and a small size for convenient, on-the-go use.