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Types of hearing aids
In-the-EarReceiver-in-CanalBehind-the-EarWhich one should I choose?

Types of hearing aids

You might be surprised by how many different types of hearing aids there are! In this section, you can read about the variety of styles and fittings available and the features or restrictions of each. Don’t forget that our audiologists can help you choose the right hearing aid for you.

Invisible hearing aids

invisible hearing aidThese custom-made hearing aids fit directly into your ear canal, making them very discrete. With fully automatic technology, so there is no need to manually adjust hearing aids.

Rechargeable

rechargeable hearing aidsThe latest hearing aids offer an environmentally friendly and powerful battery technology, meaning you never have to buy and change batteries again.

Bluetooth technology

bluetooth hearing aidsConnect your hearing aid directly to your smartphone for hands-free calling or use your hearing aid like headphones for TV / music.
 
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In the ear (ITE) hearing aid
In-the-Ear
Small hearing aids that are worn entirely in the ear or ear canal rather than behind it.
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Receiver-in-Canal hearing aid
Receiver-in-Canal
An open-fit hearing aid that uses a thin plastic wire with a speaker at the end which is placed into the ear canal.
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Behind the ear (BTE) hearing aid
Behind-the-Ear
This hearing aid is traditionally the most powerful and rests on the back of the outer ear.
Learn more

Overview:

What types of hearing aid are available?

Hearing aids are available for every type of hearing impairment or hearing loss from a variety of hearing aid manufacturers. This means that you and your Hearingcare expert can choose the right hearing aid for you, no matter your preference on style, fitting, and functionality.

Keep reading for a summary of the different types of hearing aid and the features they can offer.

What's the difference between open and closed fittings?

Hearing aids can be either closed or open in design. 
An open design means that the sound waves will reach your eardrum more naturally. Behind-the-ear hearing aids can have open fittings – the sound tube and earpiece sit in your external ear canal. Because the hearing aid doesn’t fill your whole ear canal, it’s possible to hear louder sounds naturally. Open-fit models also give you better ventilation of your ear canal.
A closed design means that your external ear canal is mostly filled by either an earpiece or an in-the-ear hearing aid. But this doesn’t mean that air can’t circulate – hearing aids have vents that allow air through. By fitting a closed design to your ear canal, sound is transmitted to you more directly, so the full range of your hearing aids’ features can be used more effectively. 

What other hearing designs are out there?

If none of these hearing aids meets your hearing needs, there are other, more specialist alternatives available. Bone conduction and bone-anchored hearing aids bypass the middle ear to transmit sound. Implants might also be a viable option. These might include middle ear implants, cochlear implants or brainstem implants.