Hearing aids come in different styles depending on the size, placement, and hearing needs. Here’s a breakdown of the main types:
1. Behind-the-Ear (BTE)
-
Sits behind the ear with a thin tube or earmold going inside.
-
Suitable for mild to profound hearing loss.
-
Durable, easy to handle, and fits more features.
2. Receiver-in-Canal (RIC) / Receiver-in-the-Ear (RITE)
-
Similar to BTE but smaller, with the speaker inside the ear canal.
-
Clearer sound and less occlusion (blocked-ear feeling).
-
Good for mild to severe hearing loss.
3. In-the-Ear (ITE)
-
Custom-made to fill the outer ear.
-
Easy to insert and remove.
-
Works for mild to severe hearing loss, but more visible than in-canal types.
4. In-the-Canal (ITC)
-
Smaller, fits partly in the ear canal.
-
Discreet and comfortable.
-
Best for mild to moderate hearing loss.
5. Completely-in-Canal (CIC)
-
Very small, fits fully inside the ear canal.
-
Almost invisible, but shorter battery life.
-
Good for mild to moderate loss.
6. Invisible-in-Canal (IIC)
-
Deepest fitting style, totally hidden.
-
Designed for cosmetic appeal.
-
Suitable for mild to moderate loss.
If you want, I can also make a table with hearing aid styles, features, pros, and cons so you can compare them easily.