Key Characteristics
- The most significant type of in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aid.
- Custom-fit to the individual's ear.
- Uses a size 13 battery, the largest available for custom hearing aids.
- Typically includes features like directional microphones, telecoil, and noise reduction.
How It Works
Full-shell hearing aids contain all the components in a single unit that fits in the ear. They use a microphone to pick up sounds, an amplifier increases the sound volume, and a speaker transmits the amplified sound down the ear canal close to the eardrum to be heard.
Advantages
- Versatility: The most versatile custom hearing aid is suitable for various hearing loss severities.
- Easy to Handle: Larger controls are easier to manage, especially for those with dexterity or visual impairments.
- Long Battery Life: The larger size allows for a bigger battery, resulting in more extended use between changes.
- Natural Phone Use: Allows for more natural telephone usage as the microphone is positioned in the ear.
- Powerful: It can accommodate more features and more substantial amplification due to its size.