(425) 252-0895
(425) 252-0895
Hearing Aid Styles
Hearing aids come in a wide variety of styles (shapes and sizes) as well as technology (the digital computer chip inside). Finding the best match for your hearing needs, lifestyle, and budget is what we do during your Hearing Aid Consultation.
Behind-The-Ear
The BTE-style hearing aid houses the electronic components in a small casing that fits on top of the ear and is connected to an earpiece that fits into the ear. BTE instruments come in a variety of shapes and sizes from small to micro. Many of the micro BTE hearing aids are extremely inconspicuous. Open-fit BTE hearing aids are designed to be used with an earpiece that does not block the ear canal from air and sound entering naturally. This can provide a more natural sound quality for the user, particularly for one's own voice. Ask our Audiologist if you are a candidate for an open-fit arrangement.
Factors to consider when choosing BTE hearing instruments:
- Typically more room to house additional electronics for listening features
- Good choice for more severe hearing losses
- Better choice for ears with a lot of wax build-up
- May require more manual dexterity for insertion/removal
In-The-Ear
ITE-style hearing aids have a casing that is made from an impression of your ear, into which all of the electronics are mounted. Nothing sits on top of the ear. These custom-shell hearing instruments come in a variety of sizes including full-shell, half-shell, in-the-canal, and completely-in-the-canal (CIC, the smallest in the family).
Factors to consider when choosing custom-shell hearing instruments:
- Larger styles may be easier to handle than smaller customs or BTEs
- CIC instruments offer more power than in the past
- Might be more prone to feedback
- Not all technology features available in smaller sizes
Micro-behind-the-ear (M-BTE)
These very small digital hearing aids, typically the size of a paper clip, are attached to a small ear tip by micro tube, which fits discreetly behind your ear and can be equally as invisible as a CIC.
Behind-the-ear (BTE)
This type of digital hearing aid fits comfortably behind your ear and attaches to a custom-made ear mold.
In-the-ear (ITE)
A digital hearing aid that is customised to fit in your ear. This digital hearing aid offers more power than other small digital hearing aids.
In-the-canal (ITC)
An inconspicuous digital hearing aid that is customized to fit at the entrance of your ear canal.
Completely-in-the-canal (CIC)
These digital hearing aids are customized to fit completely inside your ear canal and are the smallest and least visible.