Hearing Aid Styles

BTE’s

A behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid hooks over the top of your ear and rests behind the ear. A tube connects the hearing aid to a custom earpiece called an ear mold that fits in your ear canal. This type is appropriate for people of all ages and those with almost any type of hearing loss.

It offers following advantages

• Newer mini designs are streamlined and barely visible
• Has directional microphones
• Capable of more amplification than other styles
• Available with a

RIC’s

The receiver-in-canal (RIC) and receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) styles are similar to a behind-the-ear hearing aid except that the speaker or receiver sits in the ear canal. A tiny wire, rather than tubing, connects the piece behind the ear to the speaker or receiver.

It offers following advantages

• Typically is less visible than a BTE
• Has directional microphones
• Has manual control options
• Available with rechargeable battery

ITC’s

An in-the-canal (ITC) hearing aid is custom molded and fits partly in the ear canal. This style can improve mild to moderate hearing loss in adults.

It offers following advantages

• Less visible in the ear than larger styles
• Includes features that won't fit on completely-in the-canal aids, but may be difficult to adjust due to its small size

Note – It is susceptible to earwax clogging the speaker

CIC’s

A completely-in-the-canal hearing aid is molded to fit inside your ear canal. It improves mild to moderate hearing loss in adults.  It offers following advantages -  Smallest and least visible type Less likely to pick up wind noise.

It also has following dis-advantages

• Uses very small batteries, which have shorter life and can be difficult to handle
• Often doesn't include extra features, such as volume control or a directional microphone
• It is susceptible to earwax