What are the Different Types of Hearing Aids?

The competitive hearing aids market features over 200 different types of devices across 7 key styles. Some styles may be suitable for mild to moderate hearing losses, whereas other styles may be required for severe-to-profound hearing losses. Here is a quick rundown on each hearing aid style:

Invisible-in-Canal (IIC): With a custom-fitted device inserted farther into the ear canal, the IIC is practically invisible when worn. It is best suited for adults with a milder hearing loss, and who prefer not to attract any attention to their hearing impairment. This said, this type of hearing aid may not be suited for some patients due to the size of their ear canal, and the amount of wax they produce. Ear hygiene is definitely a concern with this style of hearing aid. Consulting with an Audiologist if this is the right style for you is necessary.

Completely-in-Canal (CIC): A completely-in-the-canal hearing aid is custom-moulded to fit the size and shape of the user’s ear canal. One of the smallest and least visible devices in the market, the CIC is less likely to pick up wind noise, but it is more likely to cause earwax build up, which can clog the speaker. Also, since the CIC is really small, its battery size is small and battery life is limited. It typically does not offer features such as directional microphones, which help to hear better in noisier environments; and may not have control buttons right on the hearing aid, for example, to change the volume of the hearing aid. Both of these features are typically offered on all other styles of hearing aids listed below.

In-the-Canal (ITC) or In-the Ear (ITE): An in-the-canal hearing aid is also custom-moulded to fit the user’s ear canal, but it sits only partially in the ear canal, making it more visible on the outside. This however, makes it easier to handle than with the smaller custom styles of hearing aids. This device is slightly more feature-rich than the IIC and CIC styles of hearing aids. It is often recommended for people who may have a harder time inserting the over-the-ear hearing aids, such as patients who suffer from arthritis in their fingers. This type of hearing aid is also available as a full shell hearing aid, which we call ITE – In the Ear hearing aid, which fills up the ear cavity entirely.

Behind-the-Ear (BTE): A hard case that contains the electronic components hooks up over the top of your ear, and rests behind it. A tube connects the hearing aid to a custom earmould, which fits inside your ear. Although traditional models were quite large in size, the newer designs are much thinner and much less bulky. The BTE style hearing aid is traditionally prescribed for more severe to profound hearing losses, and often for children so that only the earmoulds need to be changed when their ears grow.

Open BTE (Open): A modified BTE, the Open BTE hearing aid is small enough to completely fit behind the ear, with just a narrow tube inserted into the ear canal, keeping the canal open. Due to its open fit, this device may be a good choice for people who experience chronic earwax buildup. It may also be a good option for patients who do not want the perception of their voice to sound ‘plugged-up’. This is typically suitable for people with milder hearing losses. That said, this style of hearing aid is less and less popular amongst Audiologists, as it does not offer a lot of flexibility should your hearing loss worsen over time, and require more amplification, power or change in programming.

Receiver-in-Canal (RIC): The receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aid is also known as receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) or canal-receiver technology (CRT). RIC style hearing aids can be worn with a dome (keeping the ear canal open), or with a custom-made canal-sized earmould, which is set up with the receiver that sits inside the ear canal. It is connected to a unit behind the ear through a thin electrical wire that is typically available in 3 power levels.

The RIC is by far the most popular style of hearing aid among patients, but also amongst Audiologists thanks to its versatility, flexibility in power and discretion; whilst not leaving behind the necessary acoustic features to help patients be successful with managing their hearing loss.  This style of hearing aid is typically available in regular or rechargeable batteries and can typically offer connectivity to your phone either directly, or through an intermediate device.

Originally Posted on: Echo Audiology