What are the different types of hearing aids?
The most popular types of hearing aids can be divided into the following categories:
Completely-in-the-canal (CIC)
The smallest hearing aid sits right in the ear canal making it almost invisible in the ear. These hearing aids are restricted to people with ear canals large enough to accommodate the whole hearing aid. The CIC hearing aid is best suited to mild to moderate hearing losses.
In-the-canal (ITC)
The in-the-canal hearing aid sits deep in the ear opening, these instruments are also very discreet. In some models they can have various options installed like volume controls, program switches or telecoils. They can be used in cases of mild to moderate hearing loss.
In-the-Ear (ITE)
The ITE hearing instrument is the largest of the three styles of hearing aids that are worn in the ear. Due to the larger size ITE may have more options fitted to them at once like volume controls, tele-coils and program switches and often have the larger 13 size battery that provides longer life. The ITE is suitable for all hearing losses up to the severe level.
Open Fit Hearing Aids
Open fit hearing aids utilise advanced technology, they are extremely small and nearly invisible to an observer. They work via a clear tube that comes from behind the ear and rests in the ear canal, in some models the actual earphone is located within the ear. However, unlike standard behind the ear hearing aids, there is no earmold to block the ear canal when open fit hearing aids are worn. The clear tube is extremely thin and leaves the canal open. Open fit hearing aids are also lightweight, many users find that after a few minutes of wearing them, they cannot feel them at all.
Behind-the-Ear (BTE)
The BTE hearing aid is worn behind the ear and has a tube that is connected to an ear-mould which is worn in the ear. Although they are not as cosmetic as the models mentioned above the BTE does have some advantages. Because BTE instruments are mass produced they tend to be more reliable than the other custom made styles, in general BTEs have longer battery life, have more features and are capable of correcting up to profound hearing losses.