What are the Most Common Hearing Aid Styles?

If you’ve recently been diagnosed with hearing loss, your audiologist likely recommended hearing aids as the best treatment option. This technology is one of the most critical ways to improve your quality of life when it comes to hearing more clearly. However, there is much to think about when it comes to the style of hearing aids you may want or need.

There are other factors to consider such as lifestyle and comfort, as well as practicality elements. An audiologist will be in the best possible position to advise you on the style of hearing aid that will suit you. There are a few different options that you can choose and consider, and with better understanding of what they are, you should be able to make an informed choice. With that in mind, here are some of the common hearing aid styles. 

Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids

A BTE hearing aid has two main components, a small body that is worn behind the ear and a receiver or microphone worn in the ear that transmits sounds. This type of device is appropriate for people of all ages and those with almost any type of hearing loss, ranging from mild to profound.

You may find that this is one of the most common styles you come across. This style is larger than the other two common varieties, but comes in neutral shades to blend with skin and hair tones. Because of its size, it is also able to be equipped with several features, making it a popular choice for customization needs.

In-the-canal (ITC) hearing aids

An ITC hearing aid is custom-molded and is worn in the canal. This style comes in two other varieties that range in size and location in the ear, including completely in canal (CIC) and invisible in canal (IIC). This style can improve mild-to-moderate hearing loss in adults and offers a natural listening experience. A popular choice because of the privacy they provide, these devices can be difficult to handle if you have dexterity issues.

In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids

An ITE hearing aid is worn in the outer bowl-shaped portion of the ear and comes in full-and half-shell options. These devices offer slightly more discreetness than their BTE counterparts, but are also easier to handle than smaller ITE devices. These are ideal for individuals with mild-to-moderately-severe hearing loss.

When it comes to choosing the right hearing aid style you not only need to think about the level of hearing loss you experience but also what style will work for you and your lifestyle. Let’s hope sharing some of the common hearing aid styles will help you choose.