FAQ – Hearing Aids

Hearing Aids

Hearing aids are miniature electronic devices that sit in or on the ear and selectively amplify and process sounds. All hearing aids contain one or more microphones to pick up sound a processor that amplifies and processes sound a receiver or speaker that sends the signal into your ear and a battery for a power source.

When thinking about purchasing hearing aids there are numerous factors to consider during your visit with a hearing healthcare professional including: types and styles fitting pricing reviews and comparisons cleaning repair accessories and other associations that might help cover the costs to obtain hearing aids.

Hearing Aids: Types and styles of hearing aids

While hearing aids can be split into two broad categories – in-the-ear styles (ITE) and behind-the-ear styles (BTE) – there are several styles available with different locations in or behind the ear allowing the wearer to find the most comfortable and beneficial fit.

The following hearing aid types are considered in-the-ear styles and vary from completely invisible and in the canal to on the outer edge of the ear bowl:

Invisible in the canal (IIC): IIC styles are the tiniest hearing aids made. They fit very deeply in the ear canal and are typically fit for mild or moderate hearing losses and offer high cosmetic appeal as they’re nearly invisible when worn.

In the canal (ITC): ITC hearing aids sit in the lower portion of the outer ear bowl making them comfortable and easy to use. Because they’re slightly larger than IIC and CIC styles they have a longer battery life and can fit a wider range of hearing losses.

Low profile: Low profile instruments range from half shell designs that fill half the bowl of the outer ear to designs that fill almost the entire outer ear bowl. The size of a low profile style makes it desirable for people with dexterity issues because it is easier to handle than the smaller sizes.

If an in-the-ear hearing device isn’t suitable or desired by a patient there also are numerous behind-the-ear styles available including:

Mini BTE with slim tube and tip: Mini BTE styles are designed to hide behind the outer ear and have ultra-thin tubing to discreetly route sound into the ear. This style is so popular that more occluding ear tips have become available in order to accommodate a greater degree of hearing loss with the mini BTE.

Receiver in the ear (RITE): RITE hearing aid styles are mini BTEs that have the speaker built into the ear tip instead of the main body of the hearing aid. This allows the speaker of the hearing aid to rest in the ear canal but the microphone and processor sit in a tiny case behind the ear.

BTE with ear mold: BTE styles that come with ear molds can fit any type of hearing loss from mild to profound. Their longer shape follows the contour behind the outer ear and can generally house more features controls and power than any other style of hearing aid.