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Types of Hearing Aids

There are two major classes of hearing aids, those we call "conventional" and those technologically advanced models that are, for convenience, referred to as "computerized" but are more accurately described as “digital.” In general, conventional hearing aids are less expensive than the high tech ones. The more expensive digital aids are programmable (customizable in many technically sophisticated ways) to amplify speech much as a normal ear does. Also, they are designed to provide continuously comfortable listening regardless of the loudness (or softness) of the voice (or music) you are trying to hear. Most of these models have no need for a volume control.

Whether conventional or computerized, hearing aids come in these styles:

CIC Completely-In-the-Canal

ITC In-The-Canal ITE In-The-Ear

BTE Behind-The-Ear

Regardless of type, all hearing aids consist of these components:

a microphone to pick up sound
an amplifier to increase its loudness
a method for regulating loudness

- most conventional models have volume control wheels

- most digital models have automatic volume control

an easily replaced battery to power for the amplifier
a miniature loud speaker (called the "receiver') to present
amplified and clarified sound to the ear
a tubing (internal or external) to carry the amplified/clarified
sound from the receiver to the ear canal
a custom ear mold or custom-molded plastic encasement which secures the hearing aid in the ear so that it delivers the amplified/clarified sound efficiently into the ear canal

In-the-Canal hearing aids are built into a custom shell housing that fits into the ear canal.

In-the-Ear hearing aids are also built into a custom shell housing but because they occupy both the hollow portion of the ear and the ear canal they are larger than the ITC type.

The typical Behind-the-Ear hearing aid is between a half-inch and an inch-and-a-quarter long and is tucked behind the ear. Some models conduct the amplified/clarified sound into the ear canal via a flexible plastic tubing attached to an ear mold specially molded for your ear. Other models called Open Fit, are coupled to the ear canal via a super narrow tubing that delivers the sound via a loose-fitting insert which enables the blending of natural, non-amplified sound with the amplified sound. This blending has the advantage of making one's own voice far more natural sounding and reduces the likelihood of over-amplification of unwanted noisy low pitched sounds (background traffic, crowd noise, background music, motors, etc.).

Completely-In-the-Canal hearing aids offer both cosmetic and acoustic advantages over other types in that they are very small and so can be positioned deep in the ear canal thus enabling them to deliver amplified sound closer to the ear drum (an acoustic advantage) than the other types.