Hearing Aid Shell Styles

Behind-The-Ear (BTE)

IDEAL FOR:
Mild To Profound Hearing Loss

BTE hearing aids have a small plastic case that fits behind the ear and provides sound to the ear through a small length of tubing placed in the ear canal. The delivery of sound to the ear is usually through a custom-made earmold. BTEs can be used for mild to profound hearing losses. These are often less visible than In-The-Ear aids (ITEs) and some keep the ear canal more open so listeners may still utilize their residual natural hearing (most helpful for those with normal hearing in the lower frequencies).

In-The-Ear (ITE)

IDEAL FOR:
Mild To Moderately Severe Hearing Loss

These devices fit in the outer ear bowl (called the concha); they are sometimes visible when standing face to face with someone. ITE hearing aids are custom made to fit each individual's ear. They can be used in mild to moderately severe hearing losses. Feedback, a squealing/whistling caused by sound (particularly high frequency sound) leaking and being amplified again, may be a problem for severe hearing losses. Some modern circuits are able to provide feedback regulation or cancellation to assist with this.

In-The-Canal (ITC)

IDEAL FOR:
Mild To Moderate Hearing Loss

ITC aids are smaller, filling only the bottom half of the external ear. You usually cannot see very much of this hearing aid when you are face to face with someone. These aids are intended for mild to moderate losses. Customized to fit neatly into your ear, this digital hearing aid offers more power than other small digital hearing aids.

Completely-In-The-Canal (CIC)

IDEAL FOR:
Mild To Moderate Hearing Loss

These digital hearing aids are customized to fit completely inside your ear canal and are the smallest and least visible. CICs are usually not recommended for people with good low frequency hearing, as the occlusion effect is much more perceivable. Some hearing aid wearers with narrow ear canals may not be candidates for CICs. CICs are most suitable for mild to moderate hearing losses.

On-The-Ear (OTE)

IDEAL FOR:
Moderately Severe High-Frequency Loss

These very small digital hearing aids, typically the size of a paper clip, are attached to a small ear tip by micro tube, which fits discreetly behind your ear and can be equally as invisible as a CIC. Inside the ear canal, a small soft silicone dome or a molded, highly vented acrylic tip holds the tube in place. This design is intended to reduce the occlusion effect. Conversely, because of the increased possibility of feedback, they are limited to moderately severe high frequency losses.