Hearing Aids

TYPES

Behind the Ear
In the Ear
In the Canal
Completely in the Canal
Traditional

Behind the Ear (BTE) Hearing Aids
The hearing aid circuitry is housed in an instrument which rests behind the ear and is coupled to the ear via an earmold of either a lucite or silicone-based material. Earmolds are available in a variety of styles suitable for any degree of loss or type of hearing instrument.

BTE hearing aids are primarily used for people who need maximum power or for younger children so that only the earmold needs to be replaced as the child grows rather than replacing the entire instrument.

BTE instruments offer more flexibility for severe to profound losses but can also be used for more moderate losses. They have larger controls which may be easier to manipulate and usually include a telephone switch (T-coil). However, some individuals have difficulty inserting the unit as you would first need to insert the earmold and then hook the hearing instrument behind the ear.

In the Ear (ITE) Hearing Aids

This is the most widely used style of hearing aid as it fits discreetly in the ear and is easier to insert than a BTE aid. It can be used to fit most any hearing loss from mild to severe, and is easy to use with moderately sized controls and battery. ITE aids are popular with seniors as they are large enough for them to manipulate while maintaining some degree of cosmetic appeal. Generally, it is possible to include a T-coil.



In the Canal (ITC) Hearing Aids

ITC hearing aids are about 1/3 the size of ITE aids and are more cosmetically appealing due to the reduced size. They can be used to fit mild to moderately severe hearing losses, but requires greater dexterity to manipulate the smaller controls and battery. Typically, it is not possible to include a T-coil due to space constraints, but it is usually possible to use the aid on the phone without feedback (whistling).



Completely in the Canal (CIC) Hearing Aids

CIC hearing aids are the smallest hearing aids available and are virtually unseen as they sit in the ear canal. They can be used for mild to moderate hearing losses and are particularly beneficial for individuals with high-frequency loss as it rests closer to the eardrum and takes advantage of the natural high frequency resonance of the ear canal. It requires good dexterity and some ear canal shapes or sizes may preclude fitting with a CIC instrument.

Photos courtesy of General Hearing Instruments; New Orleans, LA and Widex; Long Island City, NY