'Open fit' hearing aids
‘Open fit’ hearing aids, which are now available on the NHS, do not require a bespoke earmould to hold the aid in place, but instead rely on thin plastic tubing and open fittings to connect the hearing aid into the ear canal.
Open fit technology allows a “one-stop approach” where the fitting can take place on the same day as the initial assessment thus reducing waiting times in line with Government initiatives.
Traditionally, fitting NHS digital hearing aids has involved two stages. At the first appointment, hearing tests are carried out and if a hearing aid is recommended, an impression of the ear has to be taken in order to create a tailor-made earmould for the hearing aid. The earmould which sits in the bowl of the ear and holds the hearing aid in place allows the amplified sound to be delivered into the ear. Good fitting moulds are important as they improve the quality of the sound, the comfort of the fit, and reduce the risk of feedback or whistling. Once the earmould is made, a second appointment is required to fit the aid and programme it to the needs of the individual.
Until recently, open ear fittings were only possible with a few hearing aids, but with the latest generation of digital aids, this type of “open ear” technology is rapidly being adopted by the NHS to improve patients’ access to hearing aid services.
Open ear fittings also offer other benefits for the patient associated with the elimination of the traditional earmould. These aids do not block the ear canal causing an occlusion effect (if the opening into your ear canal is closed off, your own voice sounds louder to you), so users can hear their own voices more naturally and there is better ventilation to the ear. They can also be more comfortable and the slim tubing makes them more cosmetically appealing.
However, as with all types of hearing aid, open fit are not suitable for everyone. They are best for people with a mild to moderate hearing loss as there is a limit to the amplification that can be provided before the hearing aid will whistle.
Also, for some people, a disadvantage may be that like ‘In-the-ear’ (ITE) and ‘Completely-in the-canal’ aids (CIC) they have smaller parts and so can be fiddlier for patients with reduced manual dexterity. Furthermore, the one stop approach may be unsuitable for some people as it necessitates being able to take in a lot of new information at once, including the nature of the hearing loss and how to use the hearing aid. However, as before, patients can return to the audiology clinic once they have used their hearing aid for a while for further assistance or adjustment.
