Hearing
Hearing Aid Styles
There are 4 different styles of hearing aids: completely-in-the-canal (CIC), in-the-canal (ITC or Canal), in-the-ear (ITE or full shell ITE), and behind-the-ear (BTE).
Completely-In-The-Canal (CIC)
- This is the smallest hearing aid made.
- It does not have a volume control.
- A slightly larger hearing aid, the mini-canal , can be made with a volume control.
- It may not be suited for someone who needs a strong hearing aid.
- The most common complaint with this style is that the ear feels plugged up and that the wearers voice sound like it is in a barrel.
- This aid fits deep in the ear and requires a long impression of the ear. Some people do not find that comfortable.
- It usually takes a size 10 battery, which typically lasts about 5 or 6 days.
In-The-Canal (Canal)
- This is the most common style of hearing aid sold in the United States.
- It can be made with or without a volume control.
- It may not be suited for someone who needs a strong hearing aid.
- For the telephone this aid usually either: 1) needs taken out of the ear, 2) the volume control turned down to avoid feedback squeal or, 3) made with a telephone button.
- The most common complaint is that the wearer's ears feel plugged or that his/her voice sound like it is in a barrel.
- It usually takes a size 312 battery, which lasts about 7 to 10 days.
In-The-Ear (ITE) or Full Shell
- This is the easiest to manipulate and insert into the ear. It is excellent for those with limited manual dexterity.
- It can be made with or without a volume control.
- It can also be made to work automatically with the phone.
- It can be made with directional microphones for better hearing in noise than the typical hearing aid without directional microphones.
- For those people with average or larger sized ear canals, this style of hearing aid can be made with a large vent so that the wearer's own voice does not sound so occluded to them.
- It usually takes a size 13, or sometimes a size 312 battery. Battery life for the size 13 battery is about 10 to 14 days.
Behind-The-Ear (BTE)
- This is well-suited for those that require a lot of power.
- It is less prone to feedback than other styles of hearing aids. Feedback is the whistle noise hearing aids can make.
- Since these do not have to occlude the ear, they are also well-suited for those with very mild hearing loss.
- For those who don't like anything plugging their ears, this can be the most comfortable hearing aid.
- It is well-suited for children since their ears are small and growing.
- It is more prone to than other styles to getting perspiration in it.
- For someone with small outer ears, there may not be enough room on the ear for the hearing aid and glasses.
- Some use size 10 battery, some size 312, some size 13 and some strong BTE hearing aids use a 675 battery.
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