There is not one hearing aid that is right for everyone.  People have different types of hearing loss, different lifestyle considerations, and their needs are different.  You are unique, and so is your hearing.  Why should your hearing aid be any different?  We don't drive the same car, wear the same clothes, or use the same toothpaste.  The best hearing aid for you is the one that corrects your hearing, is comfortable to wear, provides you with the tools you need for your lifestyle, and fits within your budget.  Often times, it is not the most expensive model that works best.  In fact, many of our patients use hearing aids that are mid-level technology.  You may have to experiment a little and try different styles or products until you find the right hearing aid for you.  Patience is the key.  In the end, you will be rewarded with better hearing, and an improved life. 

One of the more confusing aspects of purchasing a hearing aid is what style you should wear.  Almost everyone wants to have the smallest, least conspicuous hearing aid available.  There are, however, benefits to larger  hearing aids.  They are easier to physically fit to your ear, are capable of having many more features that will help you hear better, use larger batteries which last longer, and have the ability to provide you with more power.  Even the larger styles of hearing aid are much more cosmetically appealing today than before. 

There are several different styles of hearing aids.  Not all of them may be appropriate for you or your loved one.  Remember, a hearing aid's primary purpose is to help you hear better.  In the next section you will find some descriptions and pictures of the hearing aid styles that are currently available, and their advantages and disadvantages. 

Hearing Aid Styles 

Completely in the Canal (CIC) 

This is the smallest type of hearing aid made and it is almost invisible in the ear. All the components are housed in a small, custom-made shell that fits into the ear canal. This takes advantage of your ear's own natural sound-collecting design.  CIC hearing aids are easier to use with the telephone without whistling, because they are further down in your ear.  Some CIC hearing aids are able to have a memory button installed which can be used for different environmental settings or different volume settings. 

CIC hearing aids are custom made for each ear.  The actual size of your hearing aids is determined by the size of your ear canal.  There must be room to put the circuitry and battery inside of the hearing aid.      Most CIC hearing aids are positioned with the faceplate at the opening of the ear canal, but when properly made, they are very discreet.  The battery used in a CIC is very small and requires good manual dexterity.  The completely in the canal hearing aid is not appropriate for persons with very severe hearing losses because they don't have enough power to accommodate the hearing loss.  Because of the position of these hearing aids deeper in the ear canal,  CICs are more likely to have wax problems.  Completely in the canal products can also be very difficult to physically fit to your ear.  If they are loose, they will work out and whistle; if they are too tight, they will make your ear sore.  Allow your hearing professional to do whatever is necessary to ensure your hearing aids fit properly.

Mini Canal (MC)

Mini canal hearing aids are slightly larger than a completely in the canal, just enough to allow for a volume control.  Some patients like to have the ability to regulate their volume themselves, yet want a discrete hearing aid.  For those patients, a mini canal is an excellent alternative.  Telephone usage is not as good for mini canals because the microphone of the hearing aid is further out, making the hearing aid more likely to whistle.  The same fitting issues apply for mini canals as for completely in the canals. 

In the Canal (ITC) 

A little bigger than the Mini Canal, the ITC hearing aids also fit into the ear canal, but a portion also sits in the bowl of your ear.  Canal hearing aids use a larger battery than the CIC style, which will last longer and is easier to handle. This style is used for mild to severe hearing losses.   Because of the larger size,  ITC hearing aids can have more features such as directional microphones and telephone amplifiers.  Directional microphones help reduce sound from behind when in noise.  Telephone amplifiers make the telephone louder without whistling.  ITC hearing aids are easier to fit than completely in the canal hearing aids and are slightly less susceptible to wax problems.  Even though ITCs are generally easier to fit then CICs, all hearing aids can take several tries to make them fit properly.

Half Shell (HS)

These are a little larger than ITC hearing aids.  Half shells are usually recommended when there is a need for more power and features such as directional microphones and telephone amplifiers. 

In the Ear (ITE)  

ITE hearing aids fill the bowl of your ear and are also known as Full Shells.  Due to their larger size, ITEs can accommodate the most power available for in the ear hearing aids.   ITEs can have a larger battery as well as the features available in the other styles.

Behind the Ear (BTE)

Behind the ear hearing aids are products that place the actual hearing aid behind your ear and are connected to your ear by a tube and ear piece.  BTE hearing aids are best suited for people that have very severe hearing losses and need a lot of power.  Children are also usually fit with BTE hearing aids because their ear will change as they grow.  It is less expensive to replace the earmold every couple of years as they grow than it is to replace an entire hearing aid.  People that are prone to getting ear infections, have had surgery, or produce excessive earwax are also good candidates for BTE hearing aids.  BTE hearing aids generally use larger batteries, so they last longer.  Wax is less of an issue for behind the ear hearing aids than in the ear, but moisture is a more of a concern.  This is because they are located in the hairline behind the ear where you tend to perspire.  Wind is also more of an problem for behind the ear hearing aids.  Thankfully, many of the newest products offer wind noise reduction to help.  

Open Ear (OE)

Open Ear hearing aids are products that are smaller than traditional BTE hearing aids and are designed to help those with a high frequency hearing loss.  Often, those with high frequency hearing loss complain that they feel "plugged up" when they wear hearing aids.  This feeling is called occlusion.  When you experience occlusion your voice sounds like it's inside your head, or like you're talking into a barrel.  This is obviously very annoying, and most people will stop wearing their hearing aid.  Open Ear hearing aids can eliminate occlusion because they do not seal your ear.  The sound is delivered to the ear through a very slim tube and a small earbud with holes in it, which is connected to the hearing aid.  This leaves the ear open so you don't feel plugged up - and they look great too! 

Open Ear hearing aids are available from most manufacturers, at several price levels and using the latest technology.  The digital circuits in these Open Ear hearing aids are the same as those used in custom hearing aids and traditional BTE products, so you don't have to sacrifice technology.  Several open ear products can be fit with traditional BTE tubing and earmolds, offering a more discreet solution for those that must wear a behind the ear product. 

Receiver in the Canal (RIC)

An even more recent innovation in BTE hearing aids are the "receiver in the canal" products such as Oticon Delta, Unitron Moxi, Siemens Centra, and Phonak Audeo.  These BTE hearing aids use a wire to connect the receiver (speaker) to the hearing aid and deliver the sound into your ear.     They can be fit to more severe hearing losses, instead of using a larger BTE hearing aid.  Now people that need power can wear a discreet, RIC hearing aid.  Hearing aid manufacturers are producing  RIC hearing aids in a variety of colors so that they can be blended into your hair to conceal them even further.   We recently fit an 25 year old woman with a BTE hearing aid using RIC technology.  Because these RIC products are so small, and a thin wire is used to send the sound to her ear, it is virtually impossible to notice her new RIC hearing aid. 

The professionals Alpha Hearing Center will help you decide what the best style and product is for you.  Call us at 770-491-3900 with any questions, or to schedule a no obligation appointment.