According to a Forbes Health survey, 46% of Americans with hearing loss don’t wear hearing aids for several reasons. Aside from the high cost, 48% of Americans who have hearing loss are also scared of people perceiving them as aging or incapable, which may affect work prospects and relationships.
But all that worry disappears when you come across completely-in-the-canal hearing aids. CIC/IIC hearing aids like Core One OTC are super-lightweight, small, and almost completely disappear when placed in the ears.
Let’s explore how CIC hearing aids work and how to pick the best one for you.
What Is a CIC Hearing Aid?
A CIC hearing aid is a device custom-built to fit the shape of your inner ear. It sits inside the aperture of the ear canal, making it nearly invisible to other people, except when they’re looking closely at your ear.
CIC hearing aids are designed to help people suffering from mild to moderate hearing loss. People with severe hearing loss can’t benefit fully from them because the outer ear still has to capture sounds and pass them to the inner ear.
CIC (completely-in-the-canal) hearing aids are lightweight and small—some less than half an inch long. Therefore, if you want a hearing aid that’ll deliver naturally amplified sounds while being almost invincible to other people, CIC hearing aids are the best option.
How Do CIC Hearing Aids Work?
CIC hearing aids sit several millimeters deep in your ear canal. Therefore, your outer ear still has to capture external sounds and pass them into the ear. Then, the CIC aid picks up from there. Here’s how CIC hearing aids work, the main components highlighted:
First, your outer ear funnels external sounds into the ear canal.
- Microphone: CIC hearing aids contain microphones that receive the outer ear's sounds into the canal and convert them to digital signals.
- Amplifier: The amplifier makes the sounds louder.
- Sound signal processor: A microchip processes the amplified sound waves to make them clearer.
- Receiver: A receiver sends the improved and clarified sound waves into the inner ear.
Other components include:
- Batteries: Most CIC hearing aids have small rechargeable batteries for long-term use.
- Removal tags: These are tiny threads or pins you pull to easily insert and remove a CIC hearing aid. They’re the only visible part of the hearing aid when placed in your ear.
Pros and Cons of Completely-in-Canal (CIC) Hearing Aids
Even though completely in canal hearing aids deliver many benefits to users, they’re still imperfect. Here are the pros and cons of using CIC hearing aids.
CIC Hearing Aids Pros
- CIC hearing aids, also known as invisible hearing aids, are almost invisible when sitting in the ear canal, which makes them perfect for people who prioritize privacy.
- They’re custom-built, lightweight, and small hearing aids. Hence, people can wear them for long periods with minimal discomfort.
- CIC hearing aids deliver more natural sounds to the inner ear because the outer ear still has to capture and funnel the sounds to the inner ear.
- They don’t interfere with your cellphone’s radio frequencies like other aids do. You can use your phone freely while wearing your CIC hearing aid without getting a buzzing sound in your ear.
- These discreet hearing aids also minimize the occlusion effect that amplifies self-created noises like your own voice or when you chew gum.
- Some CIC hearing aids have apps that allow for easy volume adjustment, noise cancellation activation, and other features.
CIC Hearing Aids Cons
- CIC hearing aids usually have smaller batteries than other types, so they last less time.
- Manual operations like adjusting volume are more difficult because the hearing aids sit inside the ear canal.
- CIC hearing aids are less powerful than the other types because they’re smaller. For instance, they lack directional microphones.
- They’re also not as powerful and cannot serve people with severe hearing loss.
How Much Do CIC Hearing Aids Cost?
CIC hearing aids are more pricey than other types, mainly because they are custom-built to fit your ear canal. Typically, after a doctor’s visit, they make a mold of your ear canal to create a CIC hearing aid that matches it. These custom hearing aids typically cost $3000 up to $7600, depending on the brand.
However, there are now FDA-approved over-the-counter hearing aids that are much more affordable than custom-built ones. For instance, Core One OTC hearing aids are affordable while still packed with many features to solve your hearing needs.
What Is the Best CIC Hearing Aid?
The best CIC hearing aid for you depends on your hearing loss, desired features, and budget. However, one of the popular options in the market is Core One OTC CIC hearing aid, designed to work for most people who suffer from mild to moderate hearing loss. You can check the Ceretone Hearing Aids Reviews.
Core One is an FDA-approved over-the-counter hearing aid that delivers crisp hearing for its users at an affordable price. It's the smallest ever, weighing 0.04 ounces, allowing you to wear it for a long time without discomfort. Plus, it lasts up to 13 hours on a single use. Even better, you get a mobile Ceretone app compatible with Android and iOS for easy control.
What Is the Difference Between CIC and RIC Hearing Aids?
CIC hearing aids fit deep into the ear canal, leaving only the removal tags visible. On the other hand, RIC hearing aids (receiver in the ear) have only the receiver placed inside the ear canal. The other components, such as the microphone and amplifier, are fixed behind the outer ear.
What Is the Difference Between CIC and IIC Hearing Aids?
While CIC hearing aids fit into the aperture of your ear canal, IIC hearing aids enter deeper to sit at the second bend of the ear canal. Therefore, IIC hearing aids are smaller and more invisible than CIC.
Which Is Better, CIC or BTE Hearing Aid?
A CIC hearing is better for people who want a discreet hearing aid that will not attract any attention to themselves. In contrast, a BTE hearing aid is better for people with more severe hearing loss.
What Is the Difference Between ITC and CIC Hearing Aids?
When placed in the ear, ITC hearing aids are larger and more visible than CIC hearing aids. They also have more features, including directional microphones.
FAQs
Yes, CIC hearing aids are comfortable because they are very lightweight and are designed to fit your ear canal's custom shape.
Yes, CIC hearing aids are worth it because they’re custom-built and lightweight, allowing for comfy use for long hours. They also deliver more natural sounds to the ear and don’t interfere with cellphone radio frequencies. Hence, they’re perfect for discreet long-term use, with extra features like active noise cancellation thrown in.
CIC hearing aids are generally priced higher than other hearing aid styles, but the cost can vary depending on several factors, including the manufacturer, features, and technology level. In general, CIC and IIC hearing aids are more expensive compared to other styles like RIC, In-the-Ear, ITE, and BTE models.
CIC hearing aids can be a great option for those who have mild to moderate hearing loss and are seeking a discreet, effective solution. However, if you have severe to profound hearing loss, or if you require more advanced features like Bluetooth connectivity, a larger device like an RIC, ITE, or BTE may be more appropriate.
