Types of hearing aids

 

Researching the best hearing aid for you? Finding the right type and style for you depends on your degree of hearing loss, your lifestyle preferences, and cosmetic concerns.

Note: If you are buying OTC hearing aids, you'll generally have fewer choices than what's listed below.

Hearing aid types

There are two basic types of hearing aids that come in several different styles:

• In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids
  • Invisible in the canal (IIC) and completely in the canal (CIC) 
  • In the canal (ITC)
  • Low-profile
• Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids
  • Receiver in the ear (RITE)
  • Behind-the-ear with earmold

In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids 

ITE aids—also known as "invisible hearing aids"—are worn in the ear canal. They are custom-fit, based on an ear impression that is taken by your hearing care professional. Some types of ITE hearing aids fit very deeply within the ear canal, while others are closer to the outer ear.

Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids

The more popular option, BTE aids sit behind or on top of the outer ear with tubing that routes the sound into the ear canal via a custom-fit earmold or a dome style. 

Both BTE and ITE styles are available in different colors to match hair or skin tone. In general, BTE have more features and advanced technology, though.

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Common hearing aid styles

In-the-ear styles

Invisible in the canal (IIC)
Completely in the canal (CIC) 

IIC and CIC styles are the smallest and most discreet hearing aids available. "Invisible in the canal" IIC styles are virtually invisible. You place these deep in the ear canal. They must be removed by tugging on a small pull-out string. 

"Completely in the canal" CIC are very similar, but don't sit quite so deeply within the ears. 

These styles are typically fit for people with mild to moderate hearing loss. Because of their small size, they don’t usually come with any manual controls, like volume wheels or program buttons.

Advantages:

• very discreet
• good sound quality because of how they fit within the ear 

Disadvantages:

• susceptible to ear wax and moisture damage
• small size can be a problem for dexterity
• small batteries require more frequent replacement
• small size also can limit connectivity to wireless devices, like smartphones

 

In the canal (ITC) hearing aids

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 tend to have a slightly longer battery life and can fit a wider range of hearing losses. Their size also allows them to host additional features such as directional microphones for better understanding in noisy environments and manual controls, like a volume wheel, if desired. 

Advantages:

• discreet
• longer battery life and more features than IIC and CIC styles

Disadvantages:

• susceptible to ear wax and moisture damage
• more occlusion, which means they can make your ears feel plugged up
• small size can be a problem for connectivity to wireless devices
   

Low-profile hearing aids

Low-profile hearing aids range from half-shell designs that fill half the bowl of the outer ear to full-shell 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.

Advantages:

• larger size makes them easier to insert and remove
• more features and user controls than invisible versions
• more likely to connect to wireless devices like smartphones

Disadvantages:

• less discreet than smaller in-the-ear styles
• more occlusion, can make wearers feel like ears are plugged up or clogged
   

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Behind-the-ear styles

Receiver in the ear (RITE)

One of the most popular hearing aids styles are called "receiver in the ear" (RITE) or "receiver in canal" (RIC), depending on the manufacturer. This style has the speaker built into an insertable ear dome that goes inside the ear canal, known as an open fit. The microphone and sound processor sit in a tiny case behind the ear.

Advantages:

• often come with rechargeable batteries
• most likely to come with wireless connectivity to devices like phones
• most likely to have advanced technology such as artificial intelligence
• the speaker can be replaced separately
• telecoil options are common

Disadvantages:

• smaller RITE sizes (known as mini-RITEs) can be a problem for dexterity
• speaker, which is inside the ear, is susceptible to moisture and ear wax damage
• the microphone and sound processor that sit behind the ear is visible
   

Behind-the-ear with earmold

BTE styles that come with earmolds 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 battery power than any other style of hearing aid. 

A BTE with earmold style is commonly used for children because the BTE can be reprogrammed as needed and the earmold can be replaced as the child grows.

Advantages:

• fits all degrees of hearing loss, including profound hearing loss
• usually available with wireless connectivity and advanced technology
• custom-fit earmold can be replaced separately
• less susceptible to moisture damage

Disadvantages:

• more occlusion, can make wearers feel plugged up, although this is generally very minor
• potential space limitations for eyeglass wearers and/or people with small ears
• not as cosmetically hidden

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What is the best hearing aid for me?

We created this flow chart to help first-time hearing aid users or people in the market for a new device figure out which hearing technology might be the best fit.

Flow chart legend: ALDs= assistive listening devices that can augment what hearing aids are capable of; advanced technology=generally the newest aids that cost more, but offer the most technologically advanced features; ITE=in the ear; BTE=behind the ear; CIC=completely in canal; ITC=in the canal; RIC=receiver in the canal (same as a RITE). 

Things to consider when buying hearing aids

Do you have problems with dexterity?

If you have a hard time grasping small objects or don't have much sensation or feeling in your hands, it’s usually better to avoid smaller devices. 

Hearing aids that come with automated features are also a good idea, so you don't have to use the tiny buttons to adjust the volume.

Are your activities limited?

If you don't leave the house much or have a caretaker who helps you, BTE devices with earmolds might be most suitable. Earmolds made of soft, flexible material can help it fit comfortably in the ear and make it easy for a caretaker to assist. Other items to consider include assistive listening devices and alarming devices, such as amplified telephones, special smoke detectors, bed-shaker alarms, doorbells that flash a light or a device to amplify the television.

What kind of hearing loss do you have?

Moderate to mild hearing loss

If you struggle to hear high-pitched sounds: Open-fit RITE styles is likely the best choice. This style will let in the natural low-frequency sounds you are still capable of hearing, while amplifying the high frequencies.

If you struggle to hear low-pitched sounds: A behind-the-ear with an earmold is a top option. Premium technology allows for more narrow-band fine-tuning adjustments (which helps with sound quality).

Severe-to-profound loss

If you have severe or profound hearing loss, ITC hearing aids, low-profile ITE hearing aids or BTE hearing aids with earmolds might be suitable, depending on the degree of loss. They are known as "power" or "super power" hearing aids. These styles of hearing aids provide the most powerful amplification and are least susceptible to moisture damage from the ear canal.

Cochlear implants are also an option.

One-sided hearing loss

For people with single-sided deafness, options include a CROS or BiCROS hearing aid.

Conductive hearing loss

If you have conductive hearing loss, such as an obstructed or absent ear canal, you best bet is likely surgically implanted devices, such as bone-anchored hearing systems.

Where to get hearing aids

Need to get fit for hearing aids, or think you have hearing loss? A good next step is visiting our directory of consumer-reviewed hearing healthcare professionals to find hearing aids near you.

^{This article has been medically reviewed by Dr. Amy Sarow. She obtained her Doctor of Audiology degree at the University of Iowa. She spent her 4th year residency at the Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences in Jacksonville, Florida. In addition to her full time work as clinical audiologist, she enjoys writing on hearing health and wellness.}