Hearing Professionals & Ear Wax Removal Clinic
Independent Hearing Specialists
Since 1936
Digital Hearing Aids
What style hearing aid is best?
If you are wondering what style hearing aid is best there are a few considerations to make such as, placement in the ear, how visible they are when you wear them, along with an explanation of suitability depending on your hearing loss, lifestyle and cosmetic concerns.
Arnold hearing specialists are independent hearing aid audiologists meaning we offer every style of hearing aids from world-leading manufacturers along with a range accessories to you hear the real world again.
We will discuss the types of hearing aids suitable for you and your level of hearing loss. Here is an overview of some of the leading hearing aid styles available:
Hearing aid styles have evolved over the years and manufacturers continue to make smaller and more powerful hearing aids. So much so that we provide hearing aids that are not noticeable at all.
Types of Hearing Aids Available
In the ear hearings aids
These style of hearing aids are the smallest hearing aid available and being the least visible in the ear hearing aids. They are custom made to fit directly in the ear making them so discreet and almost invisible. Due to the size of this style of hearing aids, they are suitable for people with mild to moderate hearing loss.
Below is an overview of each style of in the ear hearing aids:
Completely in the canal (CIC)
This completely in the canal hearing aid styles are bespoke and custom fit for you. It is moulded to fit discreetly inside the ear canal. A CIC hearing aid is suitable for mild to moderate hearing loss. They are the smallest style of hearing aid available, offering high cosmetic appeal as they are very discreet and almost invisible when placed in the ear canal.
In the Canal (ITC)
ITC hearing aid is slightly bigger than the CIC hearing aids. They are very discreet and still offer a high cosmetic appeal as it sits in the lower section of your outer ear. As they are slightly larger they are quick and easy to insert and remove from your ear. Also, tend to have a slightly longer battery life and additional features. They are suitable for people with mild to moderate hearing loss.
In the ear (ITE)
This type of in the ear hearing aid is custom made to fit half of your external ear. Due to their slightly larger size compared to CIC, they can have additional features such as volume control and the size makes them easier to handle. They are suitable for those with mild to severe hearing loss.
Hearing aids placed behind the ear
These types of hearing aids are as light as a feather making them so comfortable you’ll forget you are wearing them. They are very discreet with a clear tube that connects the hearing aids to a custom earpiece that fits in your ear canal.
They can be tailored to suit your skin tone or hair colour making them very discreet when wearing. This style of hearing aid is most powerful and suitable for those with profound to severe hearing loss.
Behind the Ear
A behind the ear hearing aid hooks over the top of your ear and rests behind the ear (as light as feather). A tube connects the hearing aids to a custom earpiece that fits inside the ear. They are capable of more amplification than other systems making it suitable for almost any type of hearing loss.
Receiver in the ear (RITE)
Similar to a behind the ear hearing aid with the receiver in the canal or in the ear. They are an open-fit hearing aid style that has the speaker built into the ear dome. The speaker of the hearing aid rest in the ear canal and the processor sits in the feather-light case behind the ear connected by a thin wire.
Deciding what hearing aid style is best for you?
You can speak to our hearing care professional for guidance on hearing aid types. Things to consider what you want from your hearing aid includes, wireless connectivity to Bluetooth devices so you can hear sounds directly and easier from phones and TV’s.
Would you like to turn down background noise and have no feedback noise? These are all things to consider and will be discussed with our hearing care professional.