The following are common hearing aid styles, beginning with the smallest, least visible in the ear. Hearing aid manufacturers keep making smaller hearing aids to meet the demand for a hearing aid that is not very noticeable. However, smaller hearing aids cannot be made powerful enough to give you the necessary loudness that you would need.

What is a Completely-in-Canal (CIC) Hearing Aid?
A completely-in-the-canal hearing aid is molded to fit inside your ear canal. It improves mild to moderate hearing loss in adults.
A completely-in-the-canal hearing aid:

  • Is the smallest and least visible type
  • Is susceptible to earwax clogging the speaker (thus higher repair visits)
  • Uses very small batteries, which have shorter life (have to change them every 2 to 3 days) and can be difficult to handle if you have dexterity issues
  • Performance in background noise may not be satisfactory due to the absence of directional microphones
  • Has no volume control or push-button on it (less flexibility)

What is an In-the-Ear (ITE) Hearing Aid?
An in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aid is custom made in two styles — one that fills most of the bowl-shaped area of your outer ear (full shell) and one that fills only the lower part (half shell). These can be fit on people with mild to severe hearing loss. An in-the-ear hearing aid:

  • Can have features like Directional microphones, volume control and push-button
  • Performance in background noise is better depending on the level of technology you get
  • May be easier to handle, has a larger battery
  • Is more visible in the ear than smaller devices
  • It is susceptible to ear wax clogging the receiver

What is a Behind-the-Ear (BTE) Hearing Aid?
A behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid hooks over the top of your ear and rests behind the ear. A tube connects the hearing aid to a custom earpiece called an ear-mold that fits in your ear canal. This type is appropriate for people of all ages and those with almost any type of hearing loss.
A behind-the-ear hearing aid:

  • Can be fit on losses that need high power
  • May pick up more wind noise than other styles because they sit behind the ear
  • Easier to handle because of the bigger size but on the other hand also more visible

What is a Receiver-in-Canal (RIC) Hearing Aid?
The receiver-in-canal (RIC) and receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) styles are similar to a behind-the-ear hearing aid with the speaker or receiver in the canal or in the ear. A tiny wire, rather than tubing, connects the pieces.
A receiver-in-canal hearing aid:

  • Has a less visible behind-the-ear portion because the power component is the receiver that sits in the ear
  • Excellent for performance in background noise based on the level of technology purchased
  • Is susceptible to earwax clogging the speaker