Hearing loss can be caused by a number of different factors, including age, disease and damage from loud noises. Hearing aids amplify sound vibrations and can improve hearing in people with some forms of hearing loss. Hearing aids come in a variety of shapes and styles, and a specialist can help you determine which type will be most beneficial for you.
In-the-Canal and Completely-in-the-Canal
Completely-in-the-canal hearing aids, or CICs, are the smallest hearing aids, according to American Hearing Aid Associates. CICs are custom-fitted to your ear and are placed inside the ear canal, making them virtually invisible. In-the-canal hearing aids, or ITCs, are similar to CICs, but are a little larger.
CICs use very small batteries, which may need to be changed frequently and require some degree of dexterity to replace. ITCs have slightly larger batteries that might last longer and be easier to change.
While ITCs and CICs are quite small, your ear canal must still be large enough to fit them. Because these hearing aids are placed into the ear canal, they may not pick up as much wind noise as other hearing devices, and they're convenient to wear while using the telephone. The size of ITC and CIC hearing aids makes them less powerful, and they're recommended for people with mild or moderate hearing loss, reports the Mayo Clinic.
In-the-Ear
In-the-ear hearing aids, also called ITEs or full shell hearing aids, are custom-fitted to fill the inner portion or "bowl" of your ear. These hearing aids are slightly more visible than CICs and ITCs, but they're also more powerful, and can be used by people with severe hearing loss.
ITEs tend to have more features, such as volume control and telecoils, which can enhance hearing when using the telephone. In-the-ear hearing aids might pick up more wind noise than smaller devices, but their size makes them easier to insert and remove, as well as to change batteries.
Behind-the-Ear
Behind-the-ear, or BTE, hearing aids are suitable for people of all ages with mild to severe hearing loss. This hearing aid features a plastic case that houses the electronics, and rests behind the ear. The case connects to plastic molding that rests in your ear canal.
A behind-the-ear hearing aid is larger and more visible, but it's also more powerful with a stronger battery. BTEs can be purchased in a variety of colors to make them less noticeable.
Open-fit hearing aids are a smaller type of BTE that include a narrow tube that is inserted into the ear canal. Open-fit aids are less visible and do not plug the entire canal, so they won't distort your voice when you wear them and can be a better option if you suffer from earwax blockage.
