Hearing loss affects one in ten Americans; that's approximately thirty-one million people! The number jumps to one in three in people over the age of sixty-five. Fortunately, there is help for those with hearing loss. With the correct diagnosis, most people with hearing loss can benefit from hearing aids. Just as there are different types and degrees of hearing loss, there are different types of hearing aids that offer a wide range of functions and features. With the guidance of a specialist, you can find the device that is best suited for your particular needs.

Hearing aids fill the gap created by hearing loss by receiving and amplifying sound. In all hearing devices, the microphone picks up sound, the amplifier increases the volume, and the receiver sends the stronger sound into the ear canal. Most hearing aids on the market are digital; this is because digital hearing aids can do more than just amplify sounds. The technology behind digital hearing aids allows the more sophisticated devices to soften background noise while amplifying speech, making it easier to hear conversations in a busy space.

The following is an informative list of the most popular hearing aid styles available on the market.

• CIC - Completely in the Canal. This hearing aid is the smallest on the market and is ideal for people with less-severe hearing loss. CICs are the most discreet devices, but people who use them must have ear canals large enough to accommodate their size.

• ITC - In the Canal. This style also fits in the ear canal, but is larger than the CICs. It houses a larger battery, but is suited for mild to moderate hearing loss.

• ITE - In the Ear. ITEs are fairly discreet, but can be used to treat a wider range of hearing loss. They also use larger amplifiers and incorporate more features than the smaller hearing aids.

• BTE - Behind the Ear. The electronic device in this hearing aid sits behind the ear and projects the sound through a tube and into the ear canal. This style is more visible than devices that are housed in the ear. However, with their increased size comes more power - mainly a stronger amplifier and a larger battery. They are ideal for the widest range of hearing loss and come with customized features in in a variety of colors and fittings.

• RITE - Receiver in the Ear. Like the BTE, this hearing aid is also visible. The receiver in the RITE hearing aid sits inside the ear canal, but the electronics are housed in a case behind the ear. This type of hearing aid is ideal for the widest range of hearing loss and offers optimal sound quality and maximized comfort.

Choosing the type of hearing aid that is right for your unique listening needs requires diagnostic testing and the consultation of a professional. Good audiologists and hearing aid specialists will not only diagnose your hearing loss, they will also take into consideration your lifestyle and monetary considerations to help find the perfect hearing aid for you. If hearing loss is affecting your life, talk to your doctor about hearing aids.