Hearing Aids

  Behind-The-Ear (BTE)hearing aid. Unlike the hearing aids of "yesteryear" many BTEs are now quite sleek and slender, hardly noticeable. The degree (severity) of hearing loss is the primary determinant to the size of BTE selected. These hearing aids are considered to be the most durable type of hearing aid made. Because they are typically "Stock" aids (taken off shelf, they are packed and loaded with features that would otherwise add additional expense to custom fit hearing aids. Generally used with severe-to-profound hearing losses, adequate hearing is not a difficulty with this style of hearing aids.      

In the Ear (ITE) style hearing aid fits entirely within the ear, filling the whole concha area and ear canal. These aids are larger and more visible than the smaller instruments and thus are easier to handle for patients with dexterity problems. This type of hearing aid is suitable for mild to severe hearing losses.

   Half Shell or Canal (HS OR ITC) style hearing aid is similar to the ITE but much smaller, filling only the lower portion of the ear canal. They are generally less powerful than the larger models and are appropriate for mild to moderately-severe hearing loss.

Completely in the Canal (CIC) style hearing aid is designed to fit very deeply inside the ear canal, so very little visible.  This hearing aid, due to its size is difficult to handle for someone with dexterity problems. It is most suitable for mild to moderate hearing losses.

 Over-the-Ear (OTE) style hearing aids fit discreetly behind and on-top of the ear and are often referred to as "Open-Fit" hearing aids due to the non-occluding (full) ear tip that is inserted into the ear canal.  Many OTEs, such as the one shown here, are RIC (receiver-in-canal) hearing aids.  RICs have the receiver (speaker) of the hearing aid inserted in the ear canal and not inside the body of the hearing aid, as is usually the case.  This allows for more natural sounds and greater manageability of background noise.  This type and style of hearing aid is currently the most popular across the U.S. for obvious reasons.