There are many different types of hearing aids available for our patients. Our audiologists are trained to find the most suitable hearing aids for each individual. Below are some options and descriptions on different types of hearing aids.
Behind-the-Ear
Behind-the-ear and open-fit behind-the-ear hearing aids hook over the top of your ear and rest behind the ear. The hearing aid picks up sound, amplifies it, and carries the amplified sound to an ear mold that fits inside your canal.
How They Work
With these hearing aids, sound travels from the instrument through a small tube or wire to a tiny dome or speaker in the ear canal.
Who Is the Best Candidate for These?
These aids leave the ear canal open, so they’re best for mild to moderate high-frequency losses where low-frequency hearing is still normal or near normal.
Custom Hearing Aids
These hearing aids are molded to fit inside your ear. The size and style appropriate for you will depend on the factors list. There are a number of styles available.
Completely-in-the-Canal (CIC)
The CIC style is molded to fit down in your ear canal with a retrieval filament to pull it out.
In-the-Canal (ITC)
The ITC hearing aid is custom molded and fits partly in the ear canal but not as deeply as the completely-in-the-canal aid.
Half-Shell
The half-shell hearing aid is custom molded and fills the lower portion of the bowl-shaped area of your outer ear. This style often has better retention with jaw movement.
Full-Shell or In-the-Ear (ITE)
A full-shell or ITE hearing aid is custom made and fills most of the bowl-shaped area of your outer ear. This style is helpful for people with mild to severe hearing loss.