Type of Hearing Aids

There are many different styles of hearing aids, each designed to suit different hearing needs, lifestyles, and preferences.

Mini Receiver In the Canal (mRIC) Hearing Aids

mRIC hearing aids are worn behind the ear, where the microphones and signal processor are housed. Sound is processed and delivered via a thin wire to a receiver positioned within the ear canal. This design allows for flexible fitting options and can accommodate a wide range of hearing losses.

These devices are ideal for:

  • Providing a natural acoustic response by keeping the ear more open and less occluded
  • Being aesthetically pleasing, sitting neatly behind the ear and remaining discreet
  • Delivering impressive speech clarity with directional microphones
  • Bluetooth streaming of phone calls, music, audiobooks, and more
  • Allowing the use of a smartphone app to make adjustments such as volume control, noise reduction, or locating your hearing aids on a map

Invisible Completely-in-Canal (CIC) Hearing Aids

CIC devices are designed to fit deeply within the external auditory canal. Their visibility depends on the size and shape of the individual’s ear canal. These hearing aids should be removed before showering and sleeping but can be worn during most other daily activities.

Key features include:

  • Being the least noticeable style, sitting deep in the ear and helping to reduce wind noise
  • A very simple design, making them easy to use
  • Smaller batteries, which typically do not last as long as larger battery options
  • Limited advanced features, such as volume control, directional microphones, or Bluetooth streaming

ITC – In-the-Canal Hearing Aids

ITC hearing aids are unobtrusive devices worn in the ear and are aesthetically pleasing. They are generally suitable for individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss.

Benefits include:

  • Comparable in size to AirPods, with Bluetooth connectivity
  • Easier to handle and insert, making them ideal for patients with arthritis or dexterity issues
  • May not be suitable for patients with small or narrow ear canals

ITE – In-the-Ear Hearing Aids (Full Shell or Half Shell)

ITE hearing aids are worn entirely within the ear and can be effective for individuals with mild to severe hearing loss.

Advantages include:

  • Easy insertion and removal
  • Manual controls such as volume adjustment
  • Larger batteries, providing longer battery life

BTE – Behind-the-Ear Hearing Aids

BTE hearing aids can be used for all degrees of hearing loss and by patients of all ages. They are particularly beneficial for individuals with severe to profound hearing loss due to their high-powered amplification.

Key features:

  • Available in a variety of sizes
  • Known for flexibility, durability, and ease of handling

CROS and BiCROS Hearing Aid Systems

CROS (Contralateral Routing of Signal) systems are designed for individuals with unilateral hearing loss, where one ear has little or no usable hearing and the other ear has normal or near-normal hearing. Sound is picked up by a microphone on the poorer ear and wirelessly transmitted to a receiver worn on the better-hearing ear.

BiCROS systems are suitable when the better-hearing ear also has a measurable hearing loss. In this setup, sound from the poorer ear is transmitted to the better ear while simultaneously amplifying sound received on that side.

Both systems improve awareness of sounds coming from the poorer-hearing side and help reduce the effects of the head shadow effect.

Take the next step towards better hearing.

Book a consultation today to explore the hearing aid options best suited to your lifestyle and hearing needs.