Open Fit

Open fit hearing aids are worn behind the ear and have a very thin almost invisible tube that fits into the ear canal. A probe on the end brings the sound into the ear canal.

Advantages:

• It works with the natural shape of the ear to amplify sound.
• Because it does not completely plug the ear canal, it typically produces a more natural sound.
• It is less conspicuous than most other styles and more comfortable.
• Patients can use the telephone without any problems.

Disadvantages:

• Has a shorter battery life (5-7 days) than some other models.

Most Suitable For Patients Who:

• Have a high frequency hearing loss.
• Desire a smaller and more discreet instrument.
• Use the telephone often and need amplification for telephone conversation.
• Have complained that their voices “echo” with custom in-the-ear hearing aids.

Traditional Behind-The-Ear (BTE)

This type of instrument consists of the device itself which sits behind the ear, a custom fit earmold which sits inside the ear, and a small clear flexible tube that connects the hearing aid to the earmold.

Advantages:

• This style can be fit to the widest range of hearing loss. It is appropriate for patients with only mild hearing loss all the way to severely-profound hearing loss.
• It offers the largest number of features compared with other styles.
• The traditional BTE uses larger batteries which last longer and don’t have to be changed as often (approximately 14 days.)
• Controls on the hearing aid are larger on this style making it easier to use if the patient has vision or dexterity problems.
• It has the lowest chance of causing acoustic feedback or “whistling.”
• It has relatively low visibility, depending on the hairstyle worn.
• It is larger and harder to misplace.

Disadvantages:

• Requires a little more maintenance than some other hearing aid styles because the tubing needs to be changed periodically.
• Custom earmolds may need to be replaced as frequently as every 18 months.
• May be more difficult to put on if manual dexterity is limited.
• May be more visible if the ears are small or hair is very short.
• Requires slightly different positioning of the telephone receiver.

Most Suitable For People Who:

• Have severe-to-profound hearing loss or a steeply sloping audiometric hearing loss pattern.
• Have fluctuating hearing abilities.
• Need additional features like manual control, T-Coil, and FM compatibility.
• Prefer this aid’s style/appearance to other styles.

In-The-Ear (ITE)

This type of hearing aid and those that follow are housed completely within the outer ear. There are no separate attachments or other parts behind the ear.

Advantages:

• No tubes or earmolds to replace.
• Relatively long battery life.
• Can be used with a wide range of hearing losses ranging from mild to severe.
• Can offer more features than most smaller styles.
• The telephone receiver can be held in the usual manner.
• Easier to place in the ear and change the battery than other smaller styles. Especially for patients with dexterity issues.

Disadvantage:

• More visible than other ITE styles.

Most Suitable For People Who:

• Have as much as a moderate to severe hearing loss .
• Have dexterity issues.

In-The-Canal (ITC)

An ITC hearing aid is about one-half the size of an ITE hearing aid. It can be used for mild to moderate hearing losses.

Advantages:

• Less visible than the ITE hearing aid style.
• Still able to get a number of features such as directional microphones.

Disadvantages:

• It has a slightly shorter battery life than the behind the ear hearing aid styles and in the ear styles (7-10 days.)
• Cannot accommodate severe or profound hearing losses.

Most Suitable For People Who:

• Desire a smaller and more discreet instrument than the ITE style.
• Have a mild-to-moderate hearing loss.

Completely-In-The-Canal (CIC)

The CIC aid fits completely within the ear canal and is the least visible of all the in the ear hearing aid styles.

Advantages:

• It fits a wide range of hearing losses from mild to moderate.
• It is virtually invisible and therefore the most cosmetically appealing instrument.
• It is the best choice in hearing aids for telephone use because it has the least chance of feedback.
• The microphone is located in a more natural sound-gathering position (at or slightly inside the ear canal opening) which allows the outer ear to provide more high-frequency emphasis and enhanced localization.

Disadvantages:

• It has a somewhat shorter battery life (5-7 days).
• The smaller battery size may make battery changes difficult if manual dexterity is limited.
• Ear wax within the hearing aid can frequently plug the receiver.
• Patients may experience more occlusion (a sensation of "talking in a barrel" or hearing their own voice as unusually loud) as compared with other styles.

Most Suitable For People Who:

• Have only mild or moderate hearing loss.
• Desire a smaller and more discreet instrument that fits completely in the canal.
• Use the telephone often and need amplification for telephone conversation.