What are the different styles of hearing aids?
There are many different styles of hearing aids available and even the smallest of hearing aids are currently available and offer cosmetic and some listening advantages. Some people may like them because they are less noticeable.
Styles of hearing aids:
- Behind-the-ear (BTE) aids, "Mini" BTE (or "on-the-ear") aids,
- In-the-ear (ITE) aids,
- In-the-canal (ITC) aids and completely-in-the-canal (CIC) aids,
- Receiver-in-the-canal (RIC) aids.
Behind-the-ear (BTE) aids:
BTE hearing aids are generally the largest hearing aid style. A plastic case containing most of the electronics sits behind the ear and is connected to an earmold or an earpiece by a piece of clear tubing that fits in the ear canal. BTE hearing aids can be used by people of all ages. The style is often chosen for young children because it can accommodate various earmold types, which need to be replaced as the child grows. Also, the BTE aids are easy to be cleaned and handled, and are relatively sturdy.
"Mini" BTE (or "on-the-ear") aids:
A new type of BTE aid called the mini BTE (or "on-the-ear") aid. It also fits behind/on the ear, but is smaller. A very thin, almost invisible tube is used to connect the aid to the ear canal. Mini BTEs may have a comfortable ear piece for insertion ("open fit"), but may also use a traditional earmold. Mini BTEs allow not only reduced occlusion or "plugged up" sensations in the ear canal, but also increase comfort, reduce feedback and address cosmetic concerns for many users.
In-the-ear (ITE) aids:
All parts of the hearing aid are contained and in a shell that fills in the outer part of the ear (the “bowl” of the ear). All the hearing aid electronics are housed in a custom-fit shell. The ITE aids are larger than the in-the-canal and completely-in-the-canal aids (see below), and for some people may be easier to handle than smaller aids.
In-the-canal (ITC) aids and completely-in-the-canal (CIC) aids:
These hearing aids electronics are contained in a small custom-fit shell that fits partly or completely into the ear canal. These are the smallest hearing aids currently available and offer cosmetic and some listening advantages. Some people may like them because they are less noticeable. However, their small size may make them difficult to handle and adjust for some people.
Receiver-in-the-canal (RIC) aids:
RIC (or mini receiver-in-the-ear; mini RITE) hearing aids sit behind the ear but are typically smaller than a BTE. The RIC hearing aid is attached to a tube housing a small wire with a dome-shaped tip at the end that rests in the ear canal (in some cases, earmolds are used). The RIC design allows more of the ear canal to remain open and is less visible than the BTE style.
What are the different styles of hearing aids?
