
Hearing Aid Styles
Hearing Aids come in a variety of looks to accommodate your hearing, as well as your fashion sense.
Hearing Aid Types
Open Fit
Receiver-in-Canal (RIC)
Barely visible when worn, the RIC style is an instrument in which the receiver, or speaker, is inside the ear canal. RIC hearing aids provide a comfortable, open fit.
Behind-the-Ear (BTE)
The hearing technology is housed in a casing that rests behind the ear. A clear plastic acoustical tube directs amplified sound into an earbud or a customized earmold that is fitted inside the ear canal.
Power BTE (PBTE)
For Severe to Profound hearing loss, the Power Behind-the-Ear hearing aid uses a thicker tube and custom earmold to improve bass quality and prevent feedback. These hearing aids have to power to help the most extreme of losses.
Custom Fit
Completely-in-Canal (CIC)
CIC hearing instruments are custom-made to fit completely in the ear canal. Only the tip of a small plastic “handle” shows outside the canal, which is used to insert and remove the instrument.
In-the-Canal (ITC)
ITC hearing instruments are custom-made to fit in the ear canal with a smaller portion of the hearing aid showing in the outer ear.
In-the-Ear (ITE)
ITE hearing instruments are custom-made to fit within the outer portion of the ear. Available in Half Shell and Full Shell.
Invisible-in-the-Canal (IIC)
This custom-fitted style is inserted farther into the ear canal than other styles, so it's completely invisible* when worn. IIC hearing aids are designed to be removed daily to promote good ear health.
What Style of Hearing Aids are People Wearing?
Receiver-in-Canal (RIC)
42
Behind-the-Ear (BTE)
30
Power Behind-the-Ear
14
In-The-Ear (ITE)
(Includes ITE, ITC, CIC, and IIC)
9
Other
4