Hearing Aids

Type of Hearing Aids

Hearing aids are available in a variety of styles designed to meet different cosmetic preferences and address different hearing loss needs. Your hearing care professional can help you identify which hearing aid styles are appropriate for your specific needs.

RIC hearing aid

Reciever-In-The-Canal (RIC)

  • Available in mini or micro sizes
  • All components except receiver contained in a case worn behind the ear
  • Sound directed into the ear canal through receiver unit
  • Can be fit with standard domes or custom earmolds
  • Virtually unnoticeable when worn
  • Variety of color options available
    • BTE hearing aid

    Behind-the-Ear (BTE)

  • For mild to profound hearing loss.
  • Larger two - piece hearing aid.
  • All components contained in a case that is worn behind the ear.
  • A hard - molded plastic case is worn behind the ear, and a custom - fit earmold extends into the ear.
  • May be barely visible depending on case color and earmold color.
    • CIC hearing aid

    Completely-in-the-Canal (CIC)

  • For mild to moderately - severe hearing loss.
  • Very small one - piece hearing aid.
  • All components contained in a case that is worn behind the ear.
  • Fits inside the ear canal.
  • Barely visible or not visible at all in the ear canal.
    • IIC hearing aid

    Invisible Styles (IIC- Micro CIC)

  • Invisible-in-the-Canal Features
  • Custom fit
  • Virtually invisible
  • For mild to moderate hearing losses
  • Dark color designed to blend with the shadows of the ear
    • ITC hearing aid

    In-the-Canal (ITC)

  • For mild to moderately - severe hearing loss.
  • Small one - piece hearing aid.
  • All components contained in a custom - fit, hard - molded plastic shell.
  • Can be fit with standard domes or custom earmolds
  • Fits outside the ear canal.
  • Slightly visible in the ear.
    • ITE hearing aid

    In-the-Ear (ITE)

  • For mild to severe hearing loss.
  • Larger one - piece hearing aid.
  • All components contained in a case that is worn behind the ear.
  • Fills the entire bowl of the ear.
  • Visible in the ear.
    • mini canal

    Mini-Canal (MC)

  • For mild to moderately - severe hearing loss.
  • Small one - piece hearing aid.
  • All components contained in a case that is worn behind the ear.
  • Fits mostly in the ear canal and extends slightly outside of the ear canal.
  • Barely visible in the ear.
    • half shell

    Half Shell (HS)

  • For mild to severe hearing loss.
  • Larger one - piece hearing aid.
  • All components contained in a custom - fit, hard - molded plastic shell.
  • Fills a portion of the bowl of the ear.
  • Visible in the ear.
    • open ear

    Open-Ear (OE)

  • For mild to moderately-severe hearing loss.
  • All components contained in a case that is worn behind the ear.
  • A hard-molded plastic case is worn behind the ear, and a clear, thin tube extends into the ear canal.
  • Barely or not at all visible.