The case of an open fit hearing aid sits discreetly behind the ear with small tubing connecting it to the ear canal.
Open ear hearing aid.
A hearing aid has three basic parts.
This style keeps the ear canal very open allowing for low frequency sounds to enter the ear naturally and for high frequency sounds to be amplified through the hearing aid.
The amplifier increases the power of the signals and then sends them to the ear through a speaker.
This makes the style a good choice for people with mild to moderate hearing loss.
An open fit hearing aid is a variation of the behind the ear hearing aid with a thin tube.
A microphone amplifier and speaker.
A small soft tip sits inside the ear canal without sealing it.
The earpiece of an open fit hearing aid is a small soft rubber or silicone cap which is much more comfortable than the tightly fitting earpieces of btes cics etc.
How does an open fit hearing aid work.
The hearing aid receives sound through a microphone which converts the sound waves to electrical signals and sends them to an amplifier.
In the case of an open fit hearing aid the amplified sound travels through a small tube or small wire to a tiny dome or receiver in the ear.
Rics are a type of open fit hearing aid that use a thin plastic micro tube that extends from the body of the hearing aid housed behind the ear over the outer ear and into the ear canal.
Many find this style more aesthetic than those that feature earmolds or are visible outside the ear.