Hearing Aid Styles
The “right” hearing aid depends largely on the person wearing them – when recommended a hearing device for you, we take a number of factors into consideration including your degree of hearing loss, unique daily listening environments, dexterity, importance of size and visibility of devices, and budgetary concerns.
Choose the Right Hearing Aid
Which hearing aid is the “right one” for you is a very personalized decision. The audiologists at Clarity Audiology & Hearing Solutions, LLC will help guide your hearing device selection by taking into consideration these important factors:
- Style: If you have cosmetic concerns, the Lyric hearing device (completely invisible), or completely in the canal (CIC) hearing aids (nearly invisible), may be your best option.
- Ease-of-Use: If you have hand dexterity issues and handling and putting on the hearing aids are a concern, a custom, in-the-ear model may be a better match.
- Performance: Is there any specific technology or feature you could benefit from? For example, if you use your cellphone often, you may want your hearing aids to be Bluetooth compatible.
- Battery Life: Rechargeable or disposable battery options are available in many styles. Rechargeable hearing aids have gained a lot of popularity for their convenience and ease of use, but some patients still prefer disposable batteries for their flexibility or due to limitations of certain smaller styles.
- Price: What’s the right value for you? Not every person requires the most expensive technology to meet your hearing needs. We also offer financing programs to help make the investment more affordable.
Hearing Aid Styles
Custom Styles
Custom style hearing aids are created for your ear’s unique anatomy, using a casting of the ear. They can be made in different skin tones to blend in with the outer ear.
Completely-in-the-Canal (CIC) Hearing Aids
The smallest custom style, completely-in-the-canal hearing aids fit deep within the ear canal and are nearly invisible. They can be used to treat many degrees of hearing loss, but more severe losses would require a larger device.
In-the-Canal (ITC) Hearing Aids
In-the-canal hearing aids fit in the lower part of your outer ear (concha bowl). Slightly larger than completely-in-the-canal hearing aids, they have a longer battery life, and can offer additional features, including volume controls and directional microphones for noisy environments. They can be used to treat mild to severe hearing losses.
In-the-Ear (ITE) Hearing Aids
In-the-ear hearing aids look similar to in-the-canal hearing aids, but slightly larger, from half shell designs to full shell designs which fill the entire outer ear bowl. Like in-the-canal hearing aids, in-the-ear hearing aids can offer features like controls to activate special settings for different environments.
Behind-the-Ear Styles
Behind-the-Ear (BTE) hearing aids are tucked behind the top of the outer ear, with tubing that directs sound into the ear. An earmold is typically used to secure the tubing in the ear canal. BTEs have the ability to fit a wide range of hearing losses and can provide the highest level of volume to fit even severe-to-profound hearing loss. They are available in a range of colors to blend in with skin tones or hair color. They can even come in bright colors and funky print designs to suit personal styles. The range of sizes offer different levels of visibility, as well as different features, controls, and battery lifespans. They are available with disposable or rechargeable batteries.
Receiver-in-the-canal hearing aids, also called receiver-in-ear, are smaller mini BTEs with the speaker incorporated in the ear tip, instead of in the main body of the hearing aid. Receiver-in-the-ear hearing aids can be used to treat mild to severe hearing losses.
Mini BTE with slim tube and tip
Mini BTEs hide behind the outer ear, with ultra-thin tubing to direct sound into the ear. This hearing aid style looks similar to the receiver-in-the-ear style. The tubing ends in a soft tip that sits within the ear canal without blocking it, for an open feeling as sound enters the ear naturally along with amplified sound from the tip. This open fitting method is recommended for mild to moderate high-frequency losses.
BTE Earmold Hearing Aids
The longer shape of BTEs with earmolds can hold more features and power than other designs. The color and style can be made to match the wearer’s hair or skin tones. BTEs with earmolds can be used to treat mild through profound hearing losses.
Lyric Hearing Aids Clarity Audiology & Hearing Solutions, LLC is among a select group of offices in the United States offering Lyric Hearing Aids. Lyric is the first 100% invisible, 24/7 wearable hearing device which can be worn continuously, for months at a time. Lyric is easily and comfortably placed deep in the ear canal by your audiologist with no need for surgery or anesthesia.
Lyric Hearing Aids
100% Visible, Extended Wear Device