Hearing aids are available in many different sizes and styles thanks to advancements in digital technology and miniaturization of the internal components. Many of today’s hearing aids are considered sleek, compact and innovative – offering solutions to a wide range of hearing aid wearers.
When selecting a style, the following is considered:
- The degree of the hearing loss (power requirements)
- Manual dexterity and visual abilities
- Budget
- Cosmetics
- Skin sensitivities
- Anatomical/medical considerations
- Lifestyle and listening needs
The two main options are in-the-ear versus behind-the-ear hearing aids.
In The Ear
Hearing aids worn in the ear are usually custom-fit, based on a cast or impression of the ear. They’re available in different skin tones to camouflage with the outer ear. Below are the styles, ranging from smallest to largest.
Invisible in Canal (IIC)
The smallest custom style, IIC instruments sit invisibly in or past the second bend of the ear canal. They’re specifically designed for mild-to-moderate hearing loss.
Completely in Canal (CIC)
The next smallest custom styles, CIC instruments fit deeply and entirely within the ear canal. They also fit mild-to-moderate hearing losses and are nearly invisible when worn.
In the Canal (ITC)
ITC instruments sit in the lower portion of the outer ear bowl, making them comfortable and easy to use. Because they’re slightly larger than CIC models, they have a longer battery life and can host additional features, such as volume controls and directional microphones for better understanding in noisy environments. They fit mild-to-moderate hearing losses, as well.
Full Shell in the Ear (ITE)
Full shell models sit flush within the entire ear bowl. Their size allows the maximum number of additional controls and features which require space on the outer portion of the instrument. They use a larger battery size than the smaller styles and can fit a larger receiver with enough power for even some severe hearing losses. Because of their flexibility, they’re widely recommended for mild-to-severe hearing loss.
Behind The Ear
Behind-the-Ear (BTE) models sit behind or on top of the outer ear, with tubing/wiring that routes sounds down into the ear connected to an ear tip or earmold to secure them in the ear canal. BTEs come in a variety of colors to blend with hair or skin tones, as well as chrome colors, leopard print and other fun designs to suit personal styles. Different BTE sizes accommodate different features, controls, battery types and degrees of power. Below are the different styles.
Mini BTE with Slim Tube and Tip
Mini BTEs are designed to hide behind the outer ear and have ultra-thin tubing/wiring to discreetly route sound into the ear. The tubing/wiring connects to a soft tip that sits in the ear canal but doesn’t occlude it. The result is a natural, open feeling. Airflow and sound enter the ear naturally around the tip, while amplified sound enters through the tip. This is known as “open fitting” and is recommended for mild-to-moderate high frequency losses.
Receiver-in-Canal (RIC)
Receive-in-Canal (RIC) models are mini BTEs that have the speaker of the instrument incorporated in the ear tip, instead of in the main body of the instrument. RIC instruments fit mild-to-severe hearing losses. This hearing aid style looks similar to the Mini BTE when worn on the ear.
BTE with Earmold
BTEs with earmolds fit mild to profound hearing losses. Their longer shape follows the contour behind the outer ear and can house many features, including a program button and volume control. The earmold color and style, as well as the wearer’s hairstyle, determine exactly how they’ll look on each person.
A wide range of technology and a host of features are available in each hearing aid style. The cost of hearing aids generally depends on the technology and the number of features the instrument has, not necessarily on the style selected.
Today’s digital hearing aids are typically offered in various technology levels, such as basic, advanced or premium level. Basic digital hearing aids generally require the wearer to make some manual adjustments in certain listening environments, such as turning a volume control up or down, or pushing a button to change listening programs.
In contrast, a more advanced hearing aid responds automatically to changes in the listener’s environment and adjusts based on the signals being detected by the hearing aid. As the level of the technology increases in hearing aids, so does the availability of advanced features.