Hearing Aid Styles

Behind-the-ear (BTE)

A behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid sits behind the ear and hooks over the top. It connects to a custom earpiece, called an ear-mold that fits in your ear canal through a small tube. This kind of hearing aid works well for people of all ages and can help with almost any level of hearing loss.

• Some of its essential features are
• Offers the least visibility to users with a sleek design
• Directional microphones
• Can tolerate high-pitched sounds than other hearing aids
• Can pick up more wind noises than other hearing aids
• Comes in rechargeable batteries

Receiver in Canal (RIC) and Receiver in the Ear (RITE)

The receiver-in-canal (RIC) and receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) styles are similar to behind-the-ear hearing aids in that the speaker or receiver is located in the ear canal. The component behind the ear is connected to the speaker or receiver by a small wire rather than tubing.

The following are their features:

• Comes with a less conspicuous
• Offers manual control option
• Comes with directional microphones
• Rechargeable batteries are also available
• Prone to earwax clogging than other hearing aids

In the Ear (ITE)

The in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aid comes in two separate parts. The first one occupies the maximum area of the bowl-shaped portion (full shell) of our external ear while other one occupies its lowermost part (half shell). So, if you are suffering from mild to moderate hearing loss issues, then the In-the-Ear (ITE) hearing aid is the best option for you.

Some of its essential features include:

• Comes in directional microphones
• A volume control option is available
• Easier to use than other hearing aids
• Bigger sized batteries will ensure a longer lifespan for the BTE hearing aid
• The speaker is prone to earwax clogging
• May pick up more wind noises than other hearing devices

In the Canal (ITC)

The in-the-canal (ITC) hearing aid fits partially in the ear canal. Adults with mild to moderate hearing loss problems can use this hearing device easily.

Some of its essential features include:

• Less visible than other hearing aids
• More difficult to adjust due its exceptionally small size
• The speaker is prone to earwax clogging

Completely in the Canal (CIC)

The Completely in the Canal (CIC) hearing aid will fit fully inside your ear canal. So, if you have a mild to moderate hearing loss issue, then the CIC hearing aid is the right option for you.

Some of its essential features:

• The smallest and the least visible hearing aid
• Less prone to picking up wind noises than other hearing aids
• Comes in small batteries with a shorter lifespan for each device
• Essential features such as directional microphones or volume control are missing
• The speaker is prone to earwax clogging

Invisible in the Canal (IIC)

The Invisible-in-the Canal (IIC) hearing aid is the smallest hearing aid and you can customize it as per your changing hearing needs. Plus, the IIC hearing aid is also the least visible that can fit nicely inside the ear canal.

Some of its essential features include:

• The smallest and the least visible hearing aid so far
• Ideal for mild to moderate hearing loss problems (Maximum fitting range-70 dB)
• Requires small batteries of the 10 size that may need frequent changing
• Less prone to picking up wind noises
• Needs more effective care, cleaning and handling