Hearing Aid Device Styles

Hearing aids are available in a variety of sizes and styles. Functional as well as cosmetic factors will guide your decision process. Our experienced Doctors of Audiology will help you decide what is right for you.

Receiver-In-The-Ear (RITE)

Receiver in the Ear technology places the speaker in the ear canal allowing for a reduction in the size of the hearing aid while providing better frequency response and less feedback (whistling).

This is currently the smallest custom made hearing instrument. The shell is designed to fit deep inside your ear canal and be practically invisible. Often, these devices are limited in the number of programs and options. They are most appropriate for mild to moderate hearing losses.

In-the-Canal (ITC)

This hearing instrument is custom made to fit your ear. It is slightly larger than the CIC. This style provides access to multiple listening programs and is appropriate for mild to moderate hearing losses.

Half Shell (HS)

The Half Shell is custom made to fit your ear and is slightly larger than the ITC. It will usually provide access to telecoil and multiple listening programs. The Half Shell is typically for hearing losses ranging from mild to moderately-severe.

In-the-Ear (ITE)

This style is also custom made and fills your entire outer ear. A full shell ITE provides access to telecoil and multiple listening programs. It is typically for hearing losses ranging from mild to moderately-severe.

Behind-the-Ear (BTE)

This style fits behind your ear and comes in a variety of sizes. It is attached to an earpiece, or earmold, that is custom-made for your ear. BTE instruments fit a wide range of hearing losses – from mild to profound. BTE devices also may have Direct Audio Input capabilities.