Hearing Aid Styles

There are many different styles of hearing aids. The degree of hearing loss, power and options requirements, manual dexterity abilities, cost factors, and cosmetic concerns are some of the factors that will determine the style the patient will use.

Popular Hearing Aid Styles

Open Behind-the-Ear: (OPEN BTE) units are tiny casings and a nearly invisible slim tube. Open fittings offer a cosmetically appealing option. They are lightweight and tiny, with a transparent dome that makes them less noticeable than aids with custom ear molds.

In-the-Ear (ITE) units are probably the most comfortable and the easiest to operate. These units are the largest of the custom made styles.

In-the-Canal (ITC) units are a little smaller than the ITEs. They require good dexterity to control the volume wheels and other controls on the faceplate.

Mini-Canals (MC) are the size between ITC and CIC. A mini-canal is a good choice when you desire the smallest possible hearing aid while still having manual control over the volume wheel and possibly other controls.

Completely-in-the-Canal (CIC) units are the tiniest hearing aids made. They usually require a "removal string" due to their size and the fact that they fit so deeply into the canal.

Behind-the-Ear (BTE) hearing aids are the largest of the hearing aids. BTEs have the most circuit options and they typically have much more power than any of the custom made units. The BTEs sit on the back of your ear and are connected to the ear canal via custom-made plastic tubing. The tubing is part of the earmold. The earmold is custom made from an ear impression to perfectly replicate the size and shape of your ear.

Hearing Aid Brands

GN ReSound Hearing Aids
ReSound provides excellent sound by offering innovative hearing solutions that combine original thinking and design with solid technology – all based on deep audiological insight and understanding of users.

Rexton Hearing Aids
For over fifty years, Rexton has worked alongside hearing health professionals to develop a portfolio of hearing aids that are both advanced and accessible. Our hearing aids include sophisticated features designed solely to improve your hearing and quality of life. When combined with our high-tech accessories such as the Blu RCU and charging units, Rexton hearing aids offer the utmost in convenience and flexibility.

Siemens Hearing Aids
No two people are the same. Their hearing loss and their lifestyles are unique. So a hearing solution can't be one-size-fits-all. Siemens manufactures one in every three of the world's hearing aids. Each is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and offers you more choices of function, feature and style.

Unitron Hearing Aids
Most listening situations can be categorized into four situations, quiet conversations, speech in noise, intense sudden or loud noise (including travel), and music. Unitron products have many advanced technologies designed to address each of these diverse listening situations along with a number of convenience features to address unique listening situations and needs.

Phonak Hearing Aids
Phonak’s goal is to improve the quality of life of people with hearing loss. Phonak is the innovative force in hearing acoustics. With our creative solutions, we strive to overcome technological limitations - so that all people are able to hear, understand and fully enjoy life's rich landscapes of sound.

MicroTech Hearing Aids
We believe that every hearing-impaired patient deserves high-quality hearing instrument products.

Starkey Hearing Aids
As a world leader in hearing innovation, Starkey has helped millions of patients experience more with never-before-seen hearing aid technologies.