Hearing Aids
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Hearing Aids

What, exactly, is a hearing aid?

In the most basic terms, it is a small electronic device that amplifies sound. Every hearing aid has a microphone, an amplifier, a receiver and a battery.

Hearing aid technology is continually improving, and today all hearing aids are digital.  There are a wide range of hearing aids available, and there are differences in circuitry, features, controls, and styles.  Most hearing aids nowadays can be ordered with a remote control so that the user can make adjusments to the sound.

There are five styles of hearing aids that are most common:

Behind-the-ear Hearing Aid
Behind The Ear (BTE)
This hearing aid is designed so that the microphone, amplifier, receiver and battery are in a case that fits behind the user's ear.  A custom made earmold is fit to the ear and a small plastic tube connects the hearing aid with the earmold.  Behind the Ear hearing aids are the most flexible and are suitable for persons with any degree of hearing loss. 
 
In-the-ear hearing aid
In The Ear (ITE)
This hearing aid fits entirely in the user's ear. It must be custom-made to afford a proper individual fit.  In The Ear hearing aids are the largest of the custom hearing aids.  There is enough space on the hearing aid to include some user controls, such as a volume control, and/or a program button. 
 
In-the-canal Hearing Aid
 
In The Canal (ITC)
This hearing aid is like the In The Ear type but it is even smaller and fits primarily in the ear canal.  In the Canal hearing aids are most suitable for those with mild to moderate hearing loss.  There is usually enough space on the hearing aid to include some user controls. 
 
Completely-in-the-canal Hearing Aid
 
Completely In The Canal (CIC)
This hearing aid fits deep down into the ear canal and is the least visible of all the hearing aid styles.  It is suitable for those with mild to moderate hearing losses.  Since it is quite small, there is no space for user controls on the Completely In the Canal hearing aid itself, but some models are compatible with remote controls so that the user can still make some adjustments to the sound.
Micro behind-the-ear/ open-fit Hearing Aid
  
 
Open fit or Slim Tube BTE
This style is a miniaturized version of the standard behind-the-ear hearing aid, with a slim tube connecting it to a plastic dome or a custom earpiece that brings the sound into the ear.  It has become a very popular model in recent years because of the comfort it affords, and because of how invisible it is on the ear.  This model is suitable for people with varying degrees of hearing loss.
 
Receiver-in-the-canal Hearing Aid
 
Receiver in the Canal (RIC)
With this model the receiver, or speaker unit, sits right in the ear canal.  It is similar in appearance to a micro BTE and because the receiver unit sits in the ear canal, the casing of the hearing aid which sits behind the ear is even smaller.  There is generally no room for user controls to be placed on the hearing aid itself because of its size, but most are compatible with remote controls.

     

The style of hearing aid that's best for you depends on a number of factors including:
  • Ear anatomy
  • Degree of hearing loss
  • Lifestyle needs
  • Manual dexterity
  • Cosmetic preferences
  • Budget  

The cost of hearing aids varies, as do the way they perform, how long the battery lasts and how they look. Our audiologists will discuss all options, advantages and disadvantages of the different styles and technologies of hearing aids during your visit. We will ensure you are well-informed about the hearing aid you choose.

For information on funding for hearing aids, please click here.