Styles
Hearing aids are available in more styles and sizes than ever before; thanks to miniaturization of electronics and a new focus in the hearing industry on style and design. Now, more and more people can wear tiny, nearly invisible models, or sleek styles that are much less conspicuous than the latest Bluetooth headsets.
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| Style redefined. Image courtesy of Oticon |
In-the-Ear Styles
Hearing aids worn in the ear are usually custom-fit, based on a cast or impression of the ear. They’re available in different skin tones to camouflage with the outer ear. There are several styles – each is listed below, ranging from smallest to largest.
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Completely-in-the-Canal (CIC) Figure 2. CIC hearing aid. Image courtesy of Oticon. |
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In-the-Canal (ITC) ITC instruments sit in the lower portion of the outer ear bowl, making them comfortable and easy to use. Because they’re slightly larger than CIC models, they have a longer battery life, and can host additional features such as directional microphones for better understanding in noisy environments, and controls such as volume controls. They fit mild and moderate hearing losses. Figure 3. ITC hearing aid. Image courtesy of Oticon. |
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Low Profile Figure 4. Low Profile hearing aid. Image courtesy of Oticon. |
Behind-the-Ear Styles
Behind-the-Ear (BTE) models sit behind or on top of the outer ear, with tubing that routes sounds down into the ear that connects to an ear tip or earmold to secure them in the ear canal. BTEs come in colors to blend with hair or skin tones, and even chrome colors, leopard print and other funky designs to suit personal styles. Different BTE sizes accommodate different features, controls, battery types and degrees of power (larger instruments generally have more power than smaller ones). While many people choose discreet BTEs that are unnoticeable when worn, others are tempted to show off the cool designs.
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Mini BTE with slim tube and tip Mini BTEs are designed to hide behind the outer ear, and have ultra-thin tubing to discreetly route sound into the ear. The tubing connects to a soft tip that sits in the ear canal but doesn’t occlude it. The result is a natural, open feeling as airflow and sound enter the ear naturally around the tip, while amplified sound enters through the tip. This is known as “open fitting” and is recommended for mild to moderate high frequency losses. Figure 7. Mini BTE hearing aid with slim tube. Image courtesy of Oticon. |
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Receiver in the ear (RITE) RITE models, also known as RIC (receiver-in-canal) models, are mini BTEs that have the speaker of the instrument incorporated in the ear tip, instead of in the main body of the instrument. RITE instruments fit mild to severe hearing losses. This hearing aid style looks similar to the Mini BTE when worn on the ear.
Figure 8. RITE BTE hearing aid. Image courtesy of Oticon. |
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BTE with earmold BTEs with earmolds fit mild through profound hearing losses. They’re longer shape, following the contour behind the outer ear, generally can house more features, controls, and power than custom models. The earmold color and style, as well as the wearer’s hairstyle, determine exactly how they’ll look on each person.
Figure 9. BTE hearing aid with earmold. Image courtesy of Oticon. |
