Types of Hearing Aids

Completely-In-The-Canal (CIC)

These are the smallest hearing aids and they fit entirely within the ear canal. Completely-in-the-canal (CIC) hearing aids are custom made to ensure a perfect fit for your ear canal.

In addition to their cosmetic appeal, wind-noise and telephones pose fewer problems to wearers of CIC compared to the other types of hearing aids because of their position deeper in the ear canal.

CIC can also often be used with hearing protection headphones.

CIC’s may not be best for you if you:

• produce excess amounts of earwax
• have extremely curvy, small or straight ear canals
• have more severe hearing loss
• have difficulty handling small objects

In-The-Canal (ITC)

These hearing aids are the second smallest style and sit inside the ear canal but not as deep as the Completely-in-the-canal (CIC) hearing aids described previously. Like CIC’s, in-the-canal (ITC) hearing aids must also be custom made to fit your ear canals.

In-The-Ear (ITE)

These hearing aids sit in the ear canal and also fill the bowl at the opening of the ear. They must be custom made to fit you and will be more visible than ITE and CIC styles. Because of their larger size, ITE’s can accommodate more technology and, therefore, more functionality in a wider range of listening situations.

Behind-The-Ear (BTE)

As the name implies, these hearing aids sit comfortably behind your ears and deliver sound into the ear canal through a small tube that may be attached to a custom made ear mold. The BTE style suits the widest range of hearing losses.

Invisible Open Technology (IOT)

One of the world's smallest hearing devices, the microphone and tubing follow the individual's ear contours, which make them virtually invisible. IOT allows air to travel in and out of the ear canal providing a natural listening experience.

Bone Anchored Hearing Aid (BAHA)

A Bone-Anchored Hearing Aids is a small surgically implanted titanium piece that conducts sound directly to the inner ear through bone. It is primarily suited to people who have conductive hearing losses and hearing loss in only one ear. Because it does not require a device to be fitted into the ear, it is also suited for people with mixed hearing losses who cannot otherwise wear 'in the ear' or 'behind-the-ear' hearing aids. Ask your Hearing Professional for more information.

For more information about hearing aids or to book an appointment with one of our hearing professionals, click here to find a hearing clinic near you or call our Customer Service Department at 1-800-563-HEAR (4327)