Hearing Aid Types Explained

Modern hearing aids come in a variety of styles to suit different types of hearing loss, lifestyles, and personal preferences. Here's a guide to the main types available in the UK.

Behind-the-ear (BTE)

The hearing aid sits behind the ear with a tube directing sound into the ear canal via an ear mould. BTE aids are:

• Suitable for all degrees of hearing loss, including severe and profound
• The most common type provided by the NHS
• Robust and easy to handle
• Available with rechargeable batteries

Receiver-in-canal (RIC)

Similar to BTE but with the speaker (receiver) placed inside the ear canal, connected by a thin wire. RIC aids are:

• More discreet than traditional BTE models
• Suitable for mild to severe hearing loss
• The most popular style in the UK private market
• Excellent sound quality

In-the-ear (ITE)

Custom-made to fit the outer bowl of the ear. ITE aids are:

• Discreet and easy to insert
• Suitable for mild to moderately severe hearing loss
• Custom-moulded to your ear shape

In-the-canal (ITC) and completely-in-canal (CIC)

Smaller custom-made devices that sit partially or completely inside the ear canal. They are very discreet but may have fewer features due to their size. Suitable for mild to moderate hearing loss.

Invisible-in-canal (IIC)

The smallest hearing aids available, sitting deep inside the ear canal where they are virtually invisible. Best for mild to moderate hearing loss. Due to their size, they typically have shorter battery life and fewer features.

Choosing the right type

The best hearing aid type depends on your degree of hearing loss, ear anatomy, dexterity, lifestyle, and cosmetic preferences. Your audiologist will recommend the most suitable style based on your individual needs. Remember that the most important factor is how well the hearing aid addresses your hearing loss — cosmetics are secondary to performance.