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Types of hearing aids

In-the-ear Behind-the-ear Rechargeable Invisible Bluetooth
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Finding the right type of hearing aid

Ready to improve your hearing but not sure what type of hearing aid is best for you? You’ve come to the right place. On this page you will get an overview of:

  • All the basic types of hearing aids
  • Facts and features to consider when choosing the right type for you

Additionally, you are always welcome to visit one of our hearing clinics, where we will be happy to show you some of the most popular hearing aid models available.

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Hearing aid type: In-the-ear

There are five types of in-the-ear hearing aids, ranging from the invisible-in-the-canal to the full shell in-the-ear hearing aid:

  • Suited for mild to severe hearing loss
  • The smallest style is virtually invisible inside the ear
  • The full shell style fits inside the outer bowl of the ear
  • All types are custom-made to suit the shape of your ear, ensuring optimal comfort and sound quality
  • Some models offer Bluetooth® technology so that you can stream sound from your phone, computer or TV
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4 facts about in-the-ear hearing aids

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1. Discreet and less noticeable than other hearing aid types
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2. May be susceptible to ear wax and moisture build-up
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3. Rarely available with rechargeable batteries
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4. Can include Bluetooth® streaming and telecoil features

Browse through in-the-ear hearing aid types

Completely -in-the-canal (CIC) hearing aid Completely -in-the-canal (CIC) hearing aid

Completely-in-canal (CIC)

  • Very small and discreet hearing aid
  • Practically invisible to other people
  • Custom-designed to fit discreetly in your ear canal
  • Option to manually control settings in different environments
  • Can be vulnerable to earwax and moisture build-up
In-the-canal (ITC) hearing aid In-the-canal (ITC) hearing aid

In-the-canal (ITC)

  • Small and custom-made to fit in your ear canal
  • Discreet
  • Longer battery life than smaller models
  • Directional microphone enhances important sounds (like speech) and reduces background noise
  • Easy to insert and remove
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In-the-ear half shell hearing aid In-the-ear half shell hearing aid

Half shell in-the-ear

  • Custom-made to fit half of your external ear
  • Relatively discreet
  • Longer battery life than smaller models
  • Suitable for more severe hearing loss than smaller models
  • Easy to handle
  • Additional, high-tech features make it more versatile
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In-the-ear full shell hearing aid In-the-ear full shell hearing aid

Full shell in-the-ear

  • Custom-made to fit the entire area of your outer ear
  • Provides high-quality sound amplification
  • Longer battery life than smaller models
  • More suitable for severe hearing loss (when compared to smaller models)
  • Easy to handle
  • Additional, high-tech features make it more versatile
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Invisible -in-the-canal (IIC) hearing aid Invisible -in-the-canal (IIC) hearing aid

Invisible -in-the-canal (IIC)

  • Adapt automatically to the sound environment
  • Have a discreet style
  • Can be vulnerable to earwax and moisture build-up
  • Are better for minimizing wind noise (due to their placement)
  • Do not have a directional microphone
  • Can be difficult to adjust for those with dexterity issues
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Tips from an audiologist

Find a hearing clinic with in-house audiologists or specialists who provide counseling based on your specific needs. A specialized hearing clinic will have several hearing aid types and brands, allowing you to find the most optimal solution for you.

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Hearing aid type: Behind-the-ear

These types are the most popular hearing aids for people with hearing loss.

  • Suited for mild to profound hearing loss
  • All components are housed behind the ear with a clear tube leading to an earpiece that fits inside your ear
  • Modern hearing aids are sleeker and slimmer than older versions and are great for people with dexterity challenges or visual impairment.
  • While modern behind-the-ear models are very discreet, they are not as invisible as in-the-ear hearing aids.
  • Feature powerful technology and typically have more feature options than in-the-ear hearing aids
Behind-the-ear hearing aids

4 facts about behind-the-ear hearing aids

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1. More powerful and versatile than in-the-ear hearing aids
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2. Rechargeable battery options available
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3. Some users find the behind-the-ear placement more comfortable
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4. Can often connect to and stream wirelessly from smartphones, TVs and tablets

Browse through behind-the-ear hearing aid types

image shows woman smiling and a miniRITE hearing aid image shows woman smiling and a miniRITE hearing aid

miniRITE

  • Suitable for most types of hearing loss
  • Smaller and less noticeable than traditional BTE hearing aids
  • Rechargeable battery options available
  • Able to connect to smart devices via Bluetooth
  • Often connected to a small dome for ventilation
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Open-fit hearing aid Open-fit hearing aid

Behind-the-ear (BTE)

  • Placed behind the ear, a thin, clear tube connects to an earmold that fits inside the outer ear
  • Suitable for all hearing loss levels and ear sizes
  • Most powerful and versatile type of hearing aid
  • Slightly larger size accommodates more features
  • Connects to smartphone and TV via Bluetooth
  • Also available with rechargeable batteries
Try BTE hearing aids risk-free
Open-fit hearing aid Open-fit hearing aid

Open-fit hearing aid

  • - Sits behind the ear and is connected by a tube that directs the amplified sound down into the ear canal
  • - Keeps the ear canal open so that sound can enter more naturally
  • - Suitable for mild to severe hearing loss
  • - Can adapt to different listening situations
  • - Connects to smartphone and TV via Bluetooth
  • - Available with rechargeable batteries
Try open-fit hearing aids risk-free

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Invisible hearing aids

Modern hearing aids are more discreet than ever before. In fact, many hearing aids are practically invisible. Designed to be especially discreet, the smallest variants of in-the-ear hearing aids are placed inside the ear canal. Examples of these include:

  • Invisible-in-the-canal hearing aids
  • Completely-in-the-canal hearing aids

These types are considered to be the most invisible hearing aids available. Since they sit completely inside your ear canal, people are unlikely to notice them.

Several types of behind-the-ear hearing aids are also very discreet and will not be particularly noticeable when worn. Behind-the-ear hearing aids allow for more features and advantages, making them the preferred type of hearing aid for many wearers.

Invisible hearing aids

 

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Rechargeable hearing aids

Some hearing aids offer the convenience of rechargeable batteries. An easy overnight charge allows for hassle-free maintenance by eliminating the need to regularly replace batteries. Having rechargeable hearing aids removes the inconvenience of having to change batteries, which is a benefit to all, especially for those with dexterity challenges.

Rechargeable hearing aids

 

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Bluetooth® hearing aids

If you choose a hearing aid with Bluetooth® technology, you can connect it to your TV so that you can hear the TV audio directly in your hearing aid, making it easier to hear your favorite TV show.

It is also possible to connect a hearing aid to other Bluetooth® devices, such as mobile phones, computers, and tablets. If you have an iPhone, then your Bluetooth® hearing aids can double as a wireless headset, allowing you to listen to music or make hands-free phone calls.

Bluetooth® hearing aids

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What to consider when researching hearing aid types

Guide to choosing hearing aids

There are several factors that can determine which hearing aid is the right model for you. This 3-step guide will help you understand how to find the best hearing aid for you.

Download guide Guide to hearing aids

Hearing Aids FAQ's

Maddison Franse Audiologist head shot grey background
Maddison Franse - Audiologist and Medical and Clinical Projects Specialist

BSc, MClinAud, MAudA(CCP)

What drew Maddison to the hearing care industry was the potential to help others connect with those around them, enriching their quality of life. Over her career at Audika she has gained experience in adult rehabilitation, paediatric testing and tinnitus management, and been involved the training and development of graduate and student audiologists. Excited to share her passion for hearing health and excellent clinical care she moved into the role of Medical & Clinical Projects Specialist.

Maddison's current role allows her to raise hearing health awareness amongst other health professionals and support Audika’s clinical network in providing the best possible service and care to their clients.

^Applies to Demant hearing devices only (Oticon, Bernafon & Sonic brands, excludes accessories).

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