Hearing Aids and Invisibility

This design has been the demand of many in the public eye (actors, for example) and others who, for one reason or another, want an unnoticeable solution for their hearing loss. The outermost portions of IIC products lie out of sight, about half an inch inside the ear canal, so they are completely invisible. IIC instruments are not like the extended wear hearing aids that I have discussed in other articles (see: “Should You Consider Extended Wear Hearing Aids?” on the Hearing Aids—Info section of my website). The new devices are removed nightly and are cared for and stored in the same way as all in-the-ear style hearing aids.

The factories recommend IIC units for those who have a mild to moderate hearing loss and an ear canal of “normal” size and shape. Very narrow, irregularly shaped or child-size ear canals will not allow for placement of the components into the canal. Therefore, patients with ear canals of this type are not suitable candidates for an IIC.

Many of you have expressed an interest in an invisible product that offers superior performance. To find out if IICs will work for you, come on in and see us. During your appointment, I will gladly measure a casting of your ear and determine whether you are a candidate.

A new patient visited my office having been discouraged by his past experiences with hearing instruments. This gentleman had worked in the entertainment industry for many years. He had used several different sets of hearing aids, but none ever provided him with the solution he yearned for. He complained that his own voice sounded hollow, and he never understood speech in noisy environments. Furthermore, he reported that he had to “fake it all the time” when speaking with colleagues. His assistants would take notes and pass on the information to him in written form so he could stay in communication with his co-workers, or they would repeat what was said after the conversation was over.

After a thorough evaluation of his hearing loss, I recommended the most advanced completely-in-the-canal hearing instruments from a leading manufacturer. Two weeks later, at the initial fitting, he and his wife were astounded how well he could understand speech in quiet and when background noise was present. At his first follow-up session, he reported that he no longer had to rely on his assistants to fill him in about happenings at work. He was able to understand everything at home, on television and even had no difficulties when attending a “monster truck” show in a closed arena. Life had completely transformed for this gentleman. He had become more productive on the job, the stress he had been experiencing had virtually disappeared, and he made life easier for those with whom he interacted.