You’ll be pleased to learn that today’s hearing aids are smaller, more comfortable and provide a more natural sound quality. Your audiologist will help you decide which hearing aid style is right for you based on your specific needs and preferences. As a result, you will maximize comfort, style, and audibility! Most hearing aids are now able to provide tinnitus sound therapy in addition to helping you hear better. Read more about tinnitus here.
Invisible in Canal (IIC)
Invisible in canal, or IIC, digital are the smallest, most discreet daily wear hearing aid available. Because of their deep fit, most users report excellent sound quality. In order to experience this degree of sound quality, your hearing loss must meet specific criteria that your audiologist is able to review after your hearing test.
Invisible in Canal hearing aid:
- Most discreet daily wear hearing aid
- Deep fit enhances sound quality and reduces perception of “own voice” occlusion
- Also available in Titanium from Phonak for an even smaller, more comfortable fit
Completely in Canal (CIC)
A CIC is molded to fit deep inside your ear canal and is one of the smallest hearing aids available. The CIC takes advantage of the outer ear’s natural ability to collect sound and it’s small discreet size makes the device virtually invisible to others. This style may be a good choice for mild to moderately-severe hearing loss.
A completely-in-the-canal hearing aid:
- Is among the smallest and least visible type of hearing aid
- Uses very small batteries, which must be changed frequently
- Doesn’t contain extra features, such as volume control or directional microphones
- Is more difficult to manage for people with dexterity issues
- May be more susceptible to earwax clogging
Half Shell
The Half Shell is the smallest hearing aid using the larger, #312 battery resulting in long life between battery changes. Our most popular, the half shell is small enough to be discreet, yet able to accommodate push-button controls and air vents for natural sound.
Half shell hearing aids:
- Fully featured in a small form factor
- Long battery life
- Easily controlled with push-button or smart-phone app
Full Shell
Full Shell custom hearing aids, due to their size, provide the most options for both the wearer and the audiologist. Because the full shell uses a #13 battery, it is possible to fit more severe hearing losses and still achieve respectable battery life. Additionally, the extra space allows for more features, such as a telecoil and even Bluetooth.
A Full Shell Hearing Aid:
- Most versatile custom hearing aid
- Larger controls are easier to manage
- Size 13 battery is largest available for custom hearing aids
- Excellent option for small or narrow ear canals
Receiver in Canal (RIC)
A RIC hearing aid is a variation of the behind-the-ear hearing aid. A thin wire, rather than tubing, connects the piece that sits behind the ear and in the ear. Because this style keeps the ear canal open, low-frequency sounds enter the ear naturally and high-frequency sounds are amplified through the hearing aid. Despite its small and discreet style, it is powerful enough to treat everything from a mild to moderately-severe hearing loss.
The receiver-in-the-canal hearing aid:
- A less visible behind-the-ear body
- Offers a more natural sound quality of your own voice
- Can be difficult to handle due to small parts and batteries
- Available with a permanent rechargeable battery
Behind the Ear (BTE)
A BTE is curved to match the contour of the ear and rests directly behind the ear. A tube connects the hearing aid portion to an earmold, which is custom fit to your ear canal. This type of hearing aid is appropriate for people of all ages and is powerful enough for all types of hearing loss. Due to this flexibility, the BTE can be a popular choice in all settings.
A BTE hearing aid:
- Traditionally has been the largest type of hearing aid, though some newer mini designs are streamlined and less visible
- Is capable of more amplification than other styles
- May be more difficult to insert
- Now available with a rechargeable battery
Rechargeable RIC
A Rechargeable RIC is a variation of the behind-the-ear hearing aid. Rather than tubing, a thin wire connects the body behind the ear and speaker–or receiver–in the ear. This keeps the ear canal open, allowing low-frequency sounds to enter the ear naturally and high-frequency sounds to be amplified through the hearing aid. The RIC is a small and discreet style of hearing aid, yet powerful enough for treating mild to moderately-severe hearing loss.
The receiver-in-the-canal hearing aid:
- Has a less visible behind-the-ear portion
- Offers a more natural sound quality of your own voice
- May be difficult to handle due to small parts and batteries
- Now available with a rechargeable battery
Power BTE
A Power BTE is curved to match the contour of the ear and rests directly behind the ear. A tube connects the hearing aid portion to an earmold, which is custom fit to your ear canal. This type of hearing aid is appropriate for people of all ages and is powerful enough for all types of hearing loss.
A BTE hearing aid:
- Traditionally has been the largest type of hearing aid, though some newer mini designs are streamlined and less visible
- Is capable of more amplification than other styles
- May be more difficult to insert
- Now available with a rechargeable battery