About Hearing Aids

Different styles of hearing aids are described below.

Behind-the-ear
Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids are housed in a curved case that fits neatly and comfortably behind or over your ear. A custom ear mold is made to the exact shape of your ear. The custom ear mold is used to direct the sound from the hearing aid into your ear and to secure the hearing aid in place.
People with a wide range of hearing losses, from mild to severe, can be fitted with behind-the-ear hearing aids. Because the components are housed outside of the ear, they tend to be the most durable. Behind-the-ear hearing aids need less repair and have a longer life expectancy. Behind-the-ear hearing aids can be worn easily, even by people who wear eyeglasses.

In-the-ear
In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids are custom designed and fit directly into your ear, filling most of the visible portion of your ear. All of the components are housed within a single plastic shell. They have no external wires or tubes, and are very light in weight. When properly made, they fit comfortably and securely in the ear.
The in-the-ear hearing aid can be used for mild to moderately severe hearing losses. They generally are not recommended for individuals who have: (1) severe-to-profound hearing loss, (2) problems with finger or hand dexterity that make manipulating small controls difficult, and (3) special needs that the in-the-ear hearing aid does not meet.

In-the-canal
In-the-canal (ITC) hearing aids are custom designed, smaller in size, and fit more deeply into the ear canal than in-the-ear hearing aids. They have a wide cosmetic appeal because they are less visible than in-the-ear hearing aids. All the components are housed within a single plastic shell. Because they are smaller in size, however, they can only be used by people with mild to moderate hearing loss.

Completely-in-the-canal
Completely-in-the-canal (CIC) hearing aids are also custom designed. They fit the deepest into the ear canal, so they are the least visible and most cosmetically appealing. They sit very close to the eardrum, which improves sound quality and reduces 'echo' sensations. They may also reduce the problem of wind noise and feedback on the telephone.

The battery life for this style is rather short because the battery is so small. The aid's size can also make it difficult to manipulate, particularly for people who have trouble with finger and hand dexterity (such as from arthritis).
Fitting completely-in-the-canal hearing aids generally requires additional appointments and remolding the casing to get the right fit. Some people may not be candidates for completely-in-the-canal hearing aids because of the shape of their ear canal or the severity of their hearing loss.