Hearing Aid Models

The advent of digital technology has allowed even the smallest model hearing aids to be powerful and include advanced features such as multiple programs, directional microphones, feedback cancellation and noise reduction.  They also can adapt instantaneously to the world around you to provide the most realistic and comfortable listening experience imaginable.

The following provides an insight into the range of sizes available.

External or Behind-the-Ear hearing solutions

Open-fit hearing aidsOpen ear hearing aids

  • For mild to moderately - severe, high frequency hearing loss
  • Very small aid that sits behind the ear
  • Thin tube inserted into the ear canal
  • Barely visible or not visible at all to others
  • Current examples include ion, ion200, ion400, Natura 6 - Open and Velocity miniBTE

Receiver-in-Canal

  • Extremely small aid that sits behind the ear (such as Sonic Touch, the world's smallest external hearing aid"
  • All mild to severe hearing losses
  • Thin tube inserted into the ear canal with a microphone that sits inside the canal
  • Barely visible or not visible at all to others
  • 75 colour combinations
  • Current examples include the Touch family

Behind-the-Ear (BTE)

  • For mild to profound hearing losses - greatest potential fitting range
  • All components contained in a case that is worn behind the ear
  • Can be best option when wearer has some dexterity considerations
  • A hard - moulded plastic case is worn behind the ear, and a custom - fit ear mould extends into the ear
  • Has the potential to carry the greatest range of features, including Telecoil for direct audio
  • input, volume control, and larger battery size for longer battery.

Custom fit or In-The-Ear hearing solutions

Completely-in-the-Canal (CIC)

  • For mild to moderately - severe hearing loss
  • Very small one - piece hearing aid
  • All components contained in a custom - fit, hard - moulded plastic shell
  • Fits inside the ear canal
  • Barely visible or not visible at all in the ear canal

Mini-Canal (MC)

  • For mild to moderately - severe hearing loss
  • Small one - piece hearing aid
  • All components contained in a custom - fit, hard - moulded plastic shell
  • Fits mostly in the ear canal and extends slightly outside of the ear canal
  • Barely visible in the ear

In-the-Canal (ITC)

  • For mild to moderately - severe hearing loss
  • Small one - piece hearing aid
  • All components contained in a custom - fit, hard - moulded plastic shell
  • Fits outside the ear canal
  • Slightly visible in the ear

Half Shell (HS)

  • For mild to severe hearing loss
  • Larger one - piece hearing aid
  • All components contained in a custom - fit, hard - moulded plastic shell
  • Fills a portion of the bowl of the ear
  • Visible in the ear

In-the-Ear (ITE)

  • For mild to severe hearing loss
  • Larger one - piece hearing aid
  • All components contained in a custom - fit, hard - moulded plastic shell
  • Fills the entire bowl of the ear
  • Visible in the ear

One size doesn't fit all!

While this will provide a guide for available options, it is best to sit with a Hearing Care Professional to ascertain the model that is right for you.  Click here to make an appointment at a clinic close to you.

To view the range of hearing aids available at HEARINGLife, click here.