Hearing aids styles

Hearing aids are available in basically three different styles. The difference is in size of the hearing aid, whether they are placed inside or outside of the ear and the amplification level of sound.

Behind the ear hearing aids (BTE) comprise a hard plastic shell that fits behind the ear, they are attached to a plastic ear mould which sits in the outer ear. A casing fits behind the ear housing the electronic components. Sound moves into the ear via the ear mould and hearing aid. BTE hearing aids can be used by all age groups ranging from mild hearing loss to profound.

There is a new open fitting type of BTE hearing aid. Small scale open fit hearing aids fit completely behind the ear; they have just a narrow tube that is inserted inside the ear canal, allowing the ear canal to stay open. Open fit are a beneficial choice of hearing aid if a person is predisposed to earwax build up because it is likely they will be damaged to a lesser extent by this substance. They may also be preferred as voice perception does not have that "plugged up" sound.

In the ear hearing aids (ITE) are utilized for mild hearing loss to severe and sit entirely in the outer ear. They have a hard plastic casing that houses the electronic components. Sometime ITE hearing aids come with added features like telecoil, which comprises a magnetic coil designed to help in hearing telephone conversations. Young children generally do not wear ITE hearing aids as replacement of the casings is required frequently with the growth of the ear.

Canal hearing aids come in two different styles both fit inside the ear canal. In the canal hearing aids (ITC) are designed to fit the shape and size of the particular ear canal. Completely in canal hearing aids (CIC) are almost hidden inside the ear canal. These are utilized for mild hearing loss to moderately severe.

Canal hearing aids are small which can make them difficult to remove and adjust. They also have less usable room for batteries or added features like telecoil. Because of their reduced size they have limited volume and power which makes them unsuitable for severer hearing loss to profound, generally they would not be recommended for very young children.