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Types of hearing aid

Prior to contacting a licensed hearing care professional, familiarizing yourself with the different types of hearing aids is helpful, especially if you’re new to the world of hearing devices. 

If you have been diagnosed with hearing loss, you aren’t alone. One in six Australians has hearing loss and many benefits from wearing hearing aids. If you are on the hunt for a hearing aid and don’t know where to start, finding the correct style and type of hearing aid for you depends on your type and severity of hearing loss, your budget, lifestyle and cosmetic preferences.

A good starting point is exploring the different types of hearing aid available. The guide below provides a brief outline of each type of hearing aid and the advantages and disadvantages of each style.

Receiver-in-Canal (RIC)

Hearing Aid Types

Suitable for mild to severe hearing loss, this hearing aid has almost replaced the in-the-ear (ITE) model of hearing aid. The RIC hearing aid has a much smaller speaker that sits directly in the ear canal. This provides a much shorter distance for sound to travel from the hearing-aid speaker through the ear canal and eardrum and delivers a much clearer and more intact sound. The longer distance between the receiver and the hearing aid’s microphone also results in less feedback.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages

 

  • Easily adjustable
  • Several different sizes available
  • Reasonably discreet
  • High-quality sound and clarity
  • Layered noise reduction
  • Provides a natural hearing experience
  • Open-fit style prevents occlusion (occurs when the outer ear is blocked such as by an unvented hearing aid and causes your voice to sound distorted to you)

Disadvantages

  • More expensive than other styles
  • Could be invisible depending on the style of your hair
  • Prone to damage from moisture from the ear canal

Behind-the-Ear (BTE)

Hearing Aid Types

Suitable for moderate to severe hearing loss, the BTE hearing aid is possibly the most recognisable type of hearing aid with its small plastic case that you wear behind your ear. It’s connected to a customised ear mould that sits in your outer ear.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages

  • Tough and hardwearing
  • Very easy to use and adjust
  • Easier
  • Easy-to-use controls
  • Easier to clean and maintain
  • High level of amplification
  • Uses easy to handle large batteries with a long life span
  • Speaker doesn’t tend to get clogged with earwax

Disadvantages

  • Large size
  • Possible invisible, depending on the style of your hair
  • Could be uncomfortable if worn with glasses
  • A tendency to pick up wind noise
  • Potentially requires a change of tubing twice a year if using an earmould

Completely-in--Canal (CIC)

Hearing Aid Types

CIC hearing aids (Completely-In-the-Canal) are suitable for a mild to moderately severe hearing loss, these very small and discreet hearing aids are placed inside your ear canal and can hardly be seen. They are removed from the ear by a small handle or cord.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages

  • Custom made
  • Very small and very discreet
  • Less likely to pick up wind noise

Disadvantages

  • Can be difficult for some people to remove
  • Uses small short-life batteries which could be hard to handle
  • Don’t offer additional features such as directional microphones
  • Prone to earwax clogging the speaker

In-the-Canal (ITC)

Suitable for mild to moderate hearing loss, the ITC hearing aid is custom-moulded to the inner ear canal which enables sound to travel through the device.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages

  • Custom-made
  • Contains additional features not offered by CIC devices

Disadvantages

 

  • Small size could make it difficult to adjust
  • Users with severe hearing loss could experience feedback
  • Potential for occlusion depending on severity and type of hearing loss

Invisible in the Canal (IIC)

Suitable for mild to moderate hearing loss the IIC hearing aid has to be inserted by a hearing care professional as it sits deep in the ear canal close to the eardrum. The hearing aid relies on the structure of the ear to amplify sounds and delivers a complete and natural listening experience. The only entirely invisible hearing aid currently available is the Lyric from Phonak.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages

  • Tiny size
  • 100% invisible
  • No batteries required
  • Delivers natural clear sound
  • Fits securely in the ear
  • Reduced chance of occlusion
  • Less likely to pick up wind noise
  • Improved localisation
  • Can be worn for months without the need to remove it from your ears
  • Increase in gain and output

Disadvantages

 

  • Monthly subscription costs make it more expensive than other hearing aids
  • Users will have to attend regular follow-up appointments
  • Sensitive skin may require the device to be refitted
  • No additional features included
  • Water-resistant but not waterproof

Earlens

Suitable for people diagnosed with a mild to severe sensorineural hearing loss, this pioneering hearing aid uses laser light that transmits data and power to a small custom-made lens that is placed on your eardrum to activate natural hearing. This technology fills the gap between air-conduction hearing aids (that use an acoustic receiver to amplify sounds that vibrate the eardrum) and a middle ear implant (surgically implanted device vibrates middle ear bones). The output of the hearing aid is personalised especially for the user through light calibration.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages

  • Personalised, custom-made lens
  • Deliveries a highly superior, natural sound
  • Enables improved speech comprehension even in noisy surroundings
  • Reduced occlusion and feedback
  • Greater streamed audio sound quality
  • Internal rechargeable battery and charging station

Disadvantages

  • Requires user to have ‘normal’ middle ear and eardrum
  • User must have the correct sized ear canal
  • Can take some time to adjust to the lens
  • Requires BTE processor
  • The lens can only be removed by an Earlens-trained doctor

Contralateral Routing of Signals (CROS)

CROS (Contralateral Routing of Signals) hearing aids are specialized devices designed to assist individuals with single-sided deafness. These hearing aids consist of a transmitter placed in the ear with hearing loss and a receiver in the better-hearing ear. The transmitter captures sounds from the impaired side and wirelessly transmits them to the receiver, which delivers the sounds to the functioning ear. This setup helps overcome the "head-shadow effect," where sounds on the non-hearing side are obstructed by the head, providing a more balanced auditory experience. CROS hearing aids are particularly beneficial for users who need to be aware of sounds coming from the non-hearing side, such as when crossing streets or engaging in conversations.

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages:

  • Enhanced Sound Localization: By routing sounds from the impaired ear to the better-hearing ear, CROS hearing aids help users detect sounds from all directions.
  • Reduces Head-Shadow Effect: Improves hearing from the side that would otherwise be muffled due to the head's obstruction.
  • Advanced Features: Often includes modern technologies like Bluetooth connectivity for streaming audio and tinnitus management for added comfort.

Disadvantages:

  • Noise Interference: Background noise from the non-hearing side may affect sound clarity, especially in noisy environments.
  • Adjustment Period: Users may experience a learning curve as they adapt to the new auditory setup.
  • Limited Amplification: CROS devices do not amplify sounds, which may be less effective for users with significant hearing loss in the better-hearing ear.

If you have noticed a change in your hearing loss or have been diagnosed with hearing loss, you may benefit from wearing hearing aids. Schedule a consultation with a hearing care professional and they will be able to evaluate your hearing and guide you through the process of choosing your new hearing aids.

With you on your journey to better hearing.

It's time to finally treat your hearing loss. Sign up for a free consultation with a licensed hearing care professional today to determine if you have hearing loss. It’s the start of your journey towards better hearing.

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Learn more on hearing aids types

A focus on ITE Hearing Aid

Learn more on In-The-Ear Hearing Aid

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About ITC Hearing Aid

Learn more on In-The-Canal Hearing Aid

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About BTE Hearing Aid

Learn more on Behind-The-Ear Hearing Aid

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