Top Hearing Device Styles to Consider

When a person experiencing hearing loss goes to an audiologist for help, they will likely recommend hearing aids. These devices are designed to improve your quality of life by aiding your ability to hear. However, there is a wide variety of hearing aids on the market, so choosing one might be a little daunting. Let’s start by breaking them down into their three most common categorizations so you can get an idea of what to expect.

Behind the ear (BTE)

BTE hearing aids are among the largest devices around, in general. These hearing aids are worn behind the ear with a microphone and receiver connected that sit at the inside of the ear canal. While they are designed to be worn discreetly behind the ear and are considered some of the largest and most visible hearing aids.

However, this size also typically means they have more battery life and more powerful amplification, making them a good recommendation for mild-to-profound hearing loss. They are also regularly recommended for children or for other people who might have trouble with manual dexterity since they have larger controls on the outer shell to enable easier operation.

Inside the ear (ITE)

ITE devices, are designed to be smaller than the majority of BTE hearing aids, with the entirety of the hearing raid resting in the lower portion of the outer ear bowl. They are made to fit the ear, usually by having a custom mold made to match the shape of the ear. They are still somewhat larger than ITC devices and, as a result, are somewhat less discrete, but this can also make them easier to handle for people who have trouble with their manual dexterity. Furthermore, they are often recommended for people who experience mild-to-severe hearing loss due to the amplification that they offer.

In the canal (ITC)

Considerably smaller than ITE hearing aids, ITC devices are designed to be worn, as the name implied, in the opening of the ear canal. As such, thanks to their size and placement, they tend to be the most discreet of the three most common hearing aid types. However, as a result of their smaller size, they also tend to be less powerful and are largely recommended for those with mild-to-moderate hearing loss.

They also typically have smaller batteries that need to be replaced or recharged more commonly. Unlike the other two types of devices, they tend to have few manual controls on the exterior of the device. Still, they are well suited to those who are comfortable with using digital technology, such as their smartphone, to adjust the device when needed.

Among the categories of hearing aids mentioned above, there’s still quite a lot of variation, with different models bringing different features and advantages. Your audiologist has a good knowledge of the devices available on the market, so it’s always worth getting them involved when you want to make your choice.