Hearing Aid Style Information – What Precisely Do All Those Abbreviations Mean?

Shopping for hearing aids can be hard if you are not familiar with the large number of acronyms commonly used to describe common types. The following list encompasses the majority of the abbreviations you are likely to encounter when looking at hearing aids and provides a brief description of each. The most effective approach to truly understand the distinctions is to see them in real life, therefore if some of these explanations are unclear, you should call us to come in and discover the various styles.

The following hearing aid types are given in alphbetical order

• Behind the Ear (BTE) – Appropriate for mild to severe hearing losses, the BTE hearing aid’s more substantial case makes additional features possible and is a good option for anybody with poor finger dexeterity. All of the components are within the external case which is worn behind the ear. Wide range of colors choices are offered. This style is frequently used for young children for safety and growth reasons.
• Completely in Canal (CIC) – Suitable for mild to moderate hearing losses, the CIC type fits inside the ear canal making it nearly invisible. Due to its compact size, the CIC style may have fewer features. For example, the Completely in Canal style doesn’t have space for directional microphones.
• In the Ear (ITE) – Suitable for mild to severe hearing losses, the ITE style of hearing aid is a good choice for a wide variety of hearing losses and is very easy to handle. It is visible inside the ear, but its greater size allows for more functionality, additional power and a better battery life.
• In the Canal (ITC) – Suitable for mild to moderately-severe hearing losses, the In-the-Canal style is a compact hearing aid that fits inside the ear canal and is visible from the outside. Because it is slightly larger than the models which fit deeper in the ear canal, directional microphones are possible with the In-the-Canal style.
• Invisible in Canal (IIC) – The Invisible-in-Canal style of hearing aid fits inside the ear canal completely and is invisible from the outside. IIC styles are typically not suggested for the elderly, but are a great choice in middle age.
• Open Ear / Open Fit – Appropriate for mild to moderately-severe hearing losses, the Open Ear (also called Open Fit) design combines an exterior hearing aid case that fits behind the ear and a flexible tube placed in the ear. The Open Ear model leaves the ear canal open for natural sound quality and comes in various color options.
• Receiver In the Ear (RIE or RITE) – Suitable for mild to moderately-severe hearing losses, the RIE/RITE model is the smallest among the hearing aids work externally. The RIE/RITE style brings together a tiny case that is located behind the ear and a receiver positioned inside the ear attached by a clear tube. The ear canal stays open for natural sound quality.