Types of Hearing Aids

Types of Hearing Aids

Styles of Hearing Aids

Hearing aids are available in many different sizes and styles. Thanks to advancements in digital technology and miniaturization of the internal components, hearing aids are smaller than ever. Many of today's hearing aids are considered sleek, compact, and innovative – offering solutions to a wide range of hearing aid wearers.

When selecting a style the following is considered:

• The degree of the hearing loss (power requirements)
• Manual dexterity & visual abilities
• Patient budget
• Cosmetics
• Skin sensitivities
• Anatomical/medical considerations

In-the-Ear Styles

Completely-In-the-Canal (CIC) – These very small custom devices sit deep and entirely inside the ear canal. They usually require a “removal string” due to their small size and the fact that they fit so deeply into the canal. They fit a mild to moderate hearing loss and offer high cosmetic appeal.

In-The-Canal (ITC) – This hearing aid sits in the lower portion of the outer ear's bowl and are slightly larger than a CIC hearing aid. Because of their slightly larger size, they often have a longer battery life than CICs. Depending on the size of the ear, this size of hearing aid can accommodate more options than smaller hearing aids. They fit mild to moderate hearing losses.

Half-Shell – The half shell model fills half of the bowl of the outer ear and, like ITC hearing aids, allows more options and longer battery life due to the larger size. This size is ideal for persons seeking a smaller hearing aid that may have potential dexterity concerns. Full Shell or In-The-Ear (ITE) – The largest of the custom hearing aids made, full shell hearing aids fill up the entire bowl of the outer ear. This size allows the maximum number of controls and features and is able to fit mild to severe hearing losses.

Behind-the-Ear (BTE) Styles

Open Fit hearing aid – This is a small, behind the ear hearing aid that sits behind the ear and transmits sound to the ear through a thin plastic tube. The tubing connects to a soft tip that sits in the ear canal but does not plug up the ear. The result is a natural, open feeling as air and sound enter the ear naturally around the tip, while amplified sound enters through the tip. This style of BTE is recommended for mild to moderate high frequency losses and offers cosmetic appeal due to the small size of the hearing aid and thin tube.

Receiver-in-the-Ear (RITE) – RITE hearing aids, also known as Receiver-in-canal (RIC) models, are similar to the open fit hearing aid except the speaker of the hearing aid sits inside the ear canal versus on the hearing aid behind the ear. Although it looks like an open fit hearing aid, the RITE style fits a higher degree of hearing loss (mild to severe), while still providing the "open" fitting.

Behind-the-Ear with custom ear mold – These devices fit the widest range of hearing loss, from mild to profound. They are slightly longer in shape and are contoured to sit nicely behind the ear for a sleek, compact look.  This style of hearing aid typically offers a wide array of features and options, as well as more control and power than custom models.  They are connected to the ear canal via a custom-made ear mold and plastic tubing.

Hearing Aid Technology

A wide range of technology and a host of features are available in each hearing aid style. The cost of hearing aids generally depends on the technology and the number of features the hearing aid has. Today’s hearing aids use digital technology The aids are offered at various levels of technology ranging from entry-level to premium technology. Different technology and features are available depending on the level of technology selected for your hearing aid. Basic digital hearing aids generally require the wearer to make some manual adjustments in certain listening environments such as turning a volume control up or down, or pushing a button to change listening programs. In contrast, a premium or more advanced hearing aids respond automatically to changes in the listener's environment, making changes based on the signals being detected by the hearing aid. The hearing aid wearer is not required to make any manual changes and will experience more success in difficult listening environments.

As the level of the technology increases in hearing aids, so do the availability of advanced features. Examples of some of the advanced features found in today's digital hearing aids are shown below.

Directional Microphones – Applies preference to sounds in front of the wearer and reduces sound from behind or beside the wearer. This technology has been proven in studies to improve speech understanding in background noise.

Noise Reduction -Determines if signal contains unwanted background noise and reduces the level of background noise if present. Background noise is less annoying and hearing aid wearer's listening comfort is improved in noisy situations.

Feedback Management – Reduces or eliminates annoying whistling that may occur with hearing aid use. Hearing aid wearer's comfort is improved. 

Wind Noise Reduction – Reduces the noise created from wind blowing across the hearing aid's microphone(s). This feature is designed to improve comfort for persons who spend a lot of time outdoors.

Data Logging/Learning – This allows the hearing aid to track and learn the hearing aid wearer's preferences in various listening environments. This information allows the hearing aid to adapt to the wearer’s preferences as well as assists the hearing professional in making future programming adjustments.

Telecoil/Auto-telecoil – This feature picks up a signal from a compatible telephone and hearing aid wearers can listen to the telephone without whistling. Some hearing aids require a push of a button to activate; other manufacturers offer an auto-telecoil where the hearing aid switches automatically when a telephone signal is detected.

Bluetooth Interface – Establishes a wireless connection between hearing aids and Bluetooth compatible devices. This allows the hearing aid wearer to wirelessly connect to Bluetooth enabled devices such cell phones, telephones, television, and MP3 players.