(BPT) – If you suffer from hearing loss, you’re not alone. Nearly 20 percent of American adults suffer from hearing loss. And as you age, the possibility of hearing loss increases. Thirty percent of Americans older than 65 suffer from hearing loss and that number reaches 50 percent for people older than 75.

Despite the fact that many people have hearing loss, they often wait years to get help. Only one in five people who would benefit from a hearing aid actually wear one. Many people still think of hearing aids as the big, bulky models of the past. That couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, many of today’s top hearing aids reside inside the ear and are invisible to the naked eye.

If you’re experiencing symptoms of hearing loss and could benefit from wearing a hearing aid, here’s an overview of some of the latest discreet technology that can greatly improve the quality of your life.

AMP. AMP from Starkey Hearing Technologies is designed specifically for first-time hearing aid users. About the size of a fingernail, AMP sits invisibly in a person’s ear canal and amplifies sound.

Invisible-in-the-canal (IIC). The IIC is the most advanced invisible technology on the market today. These aids ”“ similar in size to a jelly bean ”“ are custom fit to your ear canal and hearing loss. An IIC is placed deep in your ear, usually making it completely invisible to anyone else. The highest quality IICs are custom, digital and fully programmable.

Mini receiver-in-canal (RIC). People who want the benefits of an invisible hearing aid but can’t wear an aid that fits in their ear canal can choose a mini RIC. This aid resembles the shape of a more traditional hearing aid but it is nearly half the size. The mini RIC hides behind a person’s ear, making it nearly invisible. Despite its size, this hearing aid still offers the highest performance, power and features available.

The latest advancements in hearing aid technology mean you no longer have to be self-conscious about combating your hearing loss. To read more about each of these types of hearing aids and to learn how a hearing aid can improve your quality of life, visit www.invisiblehearingaid.com.