There are many styles of hearing aids. The degree of the hearing loss, power and options requirements, manual dexterity abilities, cost factors, and cosmetic concerns are some of the factors that will determine the style the patient will use. The most common styles are listed below:
These are the smallest of the custom instruments. They fit deep into the ear canal and are barely visible from the outside. Although cosmetically very appealing, there are several limitations. As the CICs are so small, only limited technology can be included. They also only have a small amount of power and therefore are only suitable for mild to moderate hearing loss. Another consideration is that because of their small size, they are more difficult to manage and manipulate.
These are the newest style of hearing aids available, and look similar to the Open Fit instruments. The main difference between Open Fit and RIC instruments is that for a RIC hearing aid, the receiver is placed inside a small dome in the ear canal. This results in a smaller behind the ear component, more power in the instrument, a discreet aid, less distortion and a natural and comfortable fit.
Open fit devices are small, behind the ear hearing aids that instead of being coupled to the ear with an ear mold, have a thin clear plastic tube that sits inside the ear. The benefit of open fit instruments is that they are very discreet and also that they keep the ear open, resulting in a more natural and comfortable fit. Open fit devices are best suited to high frequently hearing losses.
"In The Canal" hearing aids are a smaller version of the "In The Ear" (ITE) hearing aid that only fill part of the ear, rather than the complete cavity. ITC hearing aids are suitable for those with mild or moderate hearing losses. Advantages of ITC are that they are smaller in size and less noticeable than ITEs, yet they may still include some advanced features.
"In The Ear" hearing aids are custom made to fit each individual's ears and can be used to fit mild, moderate and some severe hearing losses.
These hearing aids are considered more cosmetically appealing for some users as they "fit in the ear" but still have several advantages due to their larger size. These advantages may include easier manipulation and management, a longer battery life (as they have large batteries) as well as the potential to include advanced features.
ITE hearing aids are not suitable for children, as their ear canals are constantly changing shape as they grow.
The most common style of hearing aids is the "Behind The Ear" device. BTEs have two parts — the hardware which is housed in a durable plastic case that rests behind the ear and the ear mold which sends the sound into the ear canal. The ear mold is made specific for the shape of the user's ears (as no two ear canals are the same).
BTEs have many benefits — they are comfortable, durable, more flexible, more powerful and often include more features. Their limitation is that they are considered to look "old fashioned" and are often bigger and more obvious although today's technology is constantly improving.