- Hearing aids that go 'In the Ear' (ITE)
- Hearing aids that go 'Behind the Ear' (BTE)
- Receiver in the Ear hearing aids (RITE, RIC, CRT)
- Open fit hearing aids
- Tips for choosing a style
Models that go 'In The Ear' (ITE)
'In-the-ear' hearing aids are custom-built especially for your individual ear.
The final size of the hearing aid depends on the shape of your ear and whether there's enough room to fit all the electronics into it. For example, if you have a tiny ear canal there may not be enough room to fit everything into a tiny hearing aid, so it's important to have realistic expectations about what's possible for your ears.
The Advantages of 'In-the-Ear' models
- Many people like 'in the ear' models because they are neat and convenient. You have one piece that just 'pops in the ear', with no extra bits that go over the ear. That means they're easy to handle and don't interfere with spectacles.
- If your ears are the right shape, it may even be possible to sit the hearing aid 'completely in the canal', so it's almost completely hidden.
The Disadvantages of 'In-the-Ear' models
- For some people, 'in-the-ear' hearing aids can make them feel blocked up, like having your fingers stuck in your ears. They may found their own voice sounds like in a barrel.
- All the hearing aid's electronics are housed inside your ear, and the ear is not the friendliest of environments for advanced electronics! The temperature inside your ear canal is 37°C, it's moist and often full of wax. This makes 'in-the-ear' hearing aids more prone to needing regular servicing.
- If your ear changes shape over time (for example, if you lose or gain a lot of weight) the hearing aid may need to be reshaped for your ear so it fits properly. It's very rare that this is necessary, but if it is, it may be chargeable.
Models that go 'Behind-the-Ear' (BTE)
'Behind-the-ear' (BTE) hearing instruments have two parts:
- The Earpiece.
This is usually a piece of acrylic/silicon customised to the shape of your ear. This sits in the bowl of your ear and feeds the sound into your ear canal. There are different styles and shapes, depending on your particular needs, including newer 'slim tubes'.
- The Hearing Instrument itself.
This is the bit where the all the electronics are housed. It's tucked neatly behind your ear and has a plastic tube to join it to the earpiece.
'Behind-the-ear' models come in a range of colours, from discreet 'hair tones' (such as silver, brown and blonde) to funky colours (such as racing green, vibrant red and purple). Many can now be used with 'slim tubes', making them more discreet and comfortable to wear than most 'in-the-ear' models.
When the 'behind-the-ear' models is very small, it is sometimes called an 'on-the-ear' model instead.
The advantages of 'behind-the-ear' models
- The electronics are housed outside of the ear canal, so they are kept away from the wax, body heat and moisture of the ear canal. This means they usually last longer and require less servicing.
- You can attach different hearing instruments to the earmould, allowing you to try out new models or use a spare/loan aid whilst your usual one gets repaired.
- They can be more powerful due to the extra room they have for larger components.
- Some can be fitted to a pair of spectacles.
- The batteries generally last longer.
The disadvantages of the 'behind-the-ear' models:
- Some people may find them them fiddly.
- Some people find they get in the way of spectacles, especially if they don't have much room behind their ear.
- Some people find they slip off their ear.
- Some people feel they are "too noticeable".
Receiver In the Ear (RITE) or Receiver in the Canal (RIC)
'Receiver in the Canals' are a new category of hybrid models, sometimes called 'Receiver-In-The-Ear' (RITE) or 'Canal Receiver Technology' (CRT). This style has the microphone 'behind-the-ear' and the loudspeaker/receiver 'in-the-ear'.
They have recently become very popular because they are as discreet as 'slim tubes' but offer more power (particularly in the bass) and don't get blocked with moisture in the tube.
They also tend to be more discreet than other models (except Completely in the Canal), but are also generally more reliable than in the ear models because the receiver can be replaced by ourselves, rather than having to send them away.
The Advantages of Receiver in Canal
- Often a smaller, more discreet design
- Servicing can often be carried out 'in house' by simply switching the receiver, rather than returning to the manufacturer.
- As discreet as a slim tube, but often with more power available.
- Some models theoretically allow for a wider bandwidth of sound, up to 10kHz, which can help with speech clarity in background noise, groups and a more natural sound quality.
- Very lightweight.
The Disadvantages of Receiver in Canal
- Can be so comfortable, some people forget they're wearing them and walk into showers!
- Can get caught if not careful when brushing hair or removing jumper.
Don't confuse the style of the hearing instrument with the technology that's inside it. Very often an 'in-the-ear' style has the same technological capabilities of 'behind-the-ear' styles (as long as it has enough room to fit everything in).
Some styles may be more suitable for your hearing than others. So always put what's best for your hearing before the style you like best.
Open Ear Fittings
“Open ear' fittings has become a bit of a buzzword in recent years. It simply means a hearing instrument that doesn't make you feel blocked up because it leaves your ear canal more 'open'.
SlimTubes and RICs are usually used for open ear fittings, and most 'behind-the-ear' hearing instruments can also be converted into an 'open ear' fit by using the right type of earmould, as can 'in-the-ear' hearing instruments with large vents (that's a hole that goes right through your hearing aid).
But not all hearing is suitable for an 'open ear fitting', so ask us for our advice.
Tips for choosing the right style for you
Remember that some styles needs less servicing than others, so take this into consideration. But don't make a decision without speaking to us first. We'll be able to show you examples of different styles and advise you on how suitable they are for you and your hearing.