Hearing Aid Styles

Invisible-in-the-Canal (IIC)

Most invisible, discreet hearing aid option
Cosmetically appealing and virtually unnoticeable
Most secure fit for physically active individuals
Custom molded
Deep fit helps to reduce occlusion or “plugged up” feeling
Appropriate for Mild-Moderate hearing losses
Adaptive noise reduction technology – IIC hearing aids are environmentally adaptive
Fully automatic for all environments
Microphone and Receiver and contained in the small device, which may limit power output
Limited flexibility for programming adjustments and multiple memories
Inability to change volume and fine tune memory to specific need
Not Bluetooth compatible

Nearly invisible; only faceplate can be seen
Secure fit for physical activities
Appropriate for Mild-Moderate/Moderate Severe hearing losses
Deep placement cuts down on wind noise.
Available with Bluetooth® wireless technology
Custom molded to shape of ear canal
Available with external controls, for those who prefer an external switch – some flexibility for adjustments
May be compatible with Bluetooth
Compatible with Bluetooth wireless technology, so they can communicate with personal electronics (e.g. cell phone/tablet)
Communicate with one another to improve binaural hearing performance.
CICs may communicate with one another to improve binaural hearing performance.
Microphone and Receiver and contained in the small device, which may limit power output
Can risk occlusion – “stuffed up feeling” – depending upon fit and hearing loss
Smaller batteries, may be at risk for quicker battery drain

Custom molded for a precision fit
Easy to insert and remove – one step insertion and removal
Appropriate for Mild-Severe hearing losses
Available with external controls for quick and easy adjustments and switching of memories – flexibility for adjustments
May be compatible with Bluetooth wireless technology, so they can communicate with personal electronics (e.g. cell phone/tablet)
May communicate with one another to improve binaural hearing performance.
Can offer ear level controls for quick adjustments
Larger battery provides longest battery life
Do not interfere with wearing glasses
Available in all technology levels
Can have a slightly larger battery size for increased battery life
Microphone and Receiver and contained in the small device, but are more separated than in the smaller IIC or CIC
Can be automatic, changing with the surrounding environment
Fairly visible
Can risk occlusion – “stuffed up feeling” – depending upon fit and hearing loss

Easiest style to insert and remove – single step process
Appropriate for Mild-Profound hearing losses – all hearing losses can be accommodated
Available with external controls for quick and easy adjustments and switching of memories – flexibility for adjustments
May be compatible with Bluetooth wireless technology, so they can communicate with personal electronics (e.g. cell phone/tablet)
May communicate with one another to improve binaural hearing performance.
Larger battery type is easiest to handle and provides longest battery life
Microphone and Receiver and contained in the device, but are fairly separated
Custom molded to fit the external contours of the ear, can be equipped with external switches, making them easy to use.
Larger batteries offer wearers of full-shell hearing aids a long battery life
Can risk occlusion – “stuffed up feeling” – depending upon fit and hearing loss
Visible, though can be matched to skin tone

Unique design uses ITC or ITE as base
Microphone is placed at the end of a flexible tube, which is then placed securely in the concha symba of the pinna.
The rest of the instrument is inserted into the ear as with conventional CIC designs.
Separation of microphone and receiver allows for greater flexibility in fitting
Appropriate for Mild-Severe hearing losses
Available with external controls for quick and easy adjustments and switching of memories – flexibility for adjustments
May be compatible with Bluetooth wireless technology, so they can communicate with personal electronics (e.g. cell phone/tablet)
May communicate with one another to improve binaural hearing performance.
Allows for the benefits of Receiver-in-the-Canal without getting in the way of glasses
Moderately complex, Two step insertion
Remote microphone aspect of the hearing aid needs extra care or may get clogged

Lightweight, stylish design
Can be fairly invisible – cosmetically appealing. Often can be hidden by hair
Appropriate for all hearing losses: Mild – Profound
Flexible fitting means most repairs can be made the same day
Available with an open fitting for comfort and more natural sound – less risk for occlusion or “stuffed up” sensation
Available with external controls, for those who prefer an external switch – flexibility for adjustments
May be compatible with Bluetooth wireless technology, so they can communicate with personal electronics (e.g. cell phone/tablet)
Communicate with one another to improve binaural hearing performance.
Receiver/speaker is placed in the ear canal, mounted to a comfortable, flexible dome that allows sound to pass more naturally through the ear canal.
Receiver is separated from microphone, which is in device. This reduces risk for feedback
Parts are interchangeable, which increases flexibility and life of unit even if hearing loss changes.
Reduces wind noise and eliminates the need for acoustic tubing, such as the kind used in Behind the Ear hearing aids
Can sometimes get in the way of glasses

The most flexible fitting type, available with all technology options
Offers the widest range of programming options
Available with wireless connectivity
Midsize battery offers battery life up to 7 days
Most flexible and adaptable technology available.
May be compatible with Bluetooth wireless technology, so they can communicate with personal electronics (e.g. cell phone/tablet)
Communicate with one another to improve binaural hearing performance.
They need to be coupled with something to anchor it to the ear.
They can either be fit with a custom earmold that is molded to fit the outer ear
They can be mounted to open-canal earpieces/domes to prevent the “plugged up” feeling (occlusion) that some users experience as confining.
Both the microphone & speaker are housed in the case behind the ear, with sound traveling to the ear canal through a tube.
Can be equipped with buttons or a switch that allows for volume control or program/memory changes settings
Also have the advantage of using larger battery sizes, for longer battery life and greater ease of use.
Many BTEs come in smaller versions for certain types of hearing losses

Flexible fitting, available at all technology levels
Has the ability to reach much higher output levels to accommodate severe-to-profound hearing losses
Always coupled with an ear mold
Wide range of programming options
May be compatible with Bluetooth wireless technology, may communicate with personal electronics (e.g. cell phone/tablet)
Communicate with one another to improve binaural hearing performance.
Similar in construct to the BTE hearing aid described above, the Power BTE hearing aid also houses the microphone and receiver in the unit that sits behind the ear.
The sound is diverted into the ear through a tube that connects the unit with an earmold. The earmold should be fit snug and comfortably, but should provide a seal so that sound cannot escape.
Power BTE hearing aids may use slightly larger batteries, although the overall design is much sleeker than ever before.