Behind-The-Ear (BTE)

For most of us, BTE is the most recognizable style, because it has been the leading style for many, many years. It rests at the back of the outer ear, and feeds sound into the ear itself by a tube. While it is the most visible, and therefore has been somewhat replaced by less visible styles, today's manufacturing technologies can create one that is smaller, and matches your skin and hair color, so it blends in.

The popularity of BTE faded during the past 20 years, but it has made a comeback with today's audiologists because of its flexibility. BTE technology enables it to deal with more causes of hearing loss than any other style. It is the only style that can correct severe and nearly complete hearing loss.

BTE includes the Open Fit hearing aids, which are currently the most popular style of hearing aids, due to their smaller size. Additionally, their size and design enable them to be worn without creating a feeling that your ear is "stopped up".

In-The-Ear (ITE)

As its name suggests, the ITE design is placed into the ear. This style has been around since the 1980s, and gained popularity because its larger size provides many unique and upgraded features:

Easier to handle, especially for older users longer battery life because of a larger battery.

In addition to longer life, the ITE technology allows for a greater range of choices, such as memory programs and directional microphones.

In-The-Canal (ITC)

Although similar in design and application to the ITE, the ITC design is smaller, and fits not in the outer ear, but down into the ear canal. Its design and placement make it a great choice for those with mild to mid-level loss of hearing. Despite its smaller size, the leading manufacturers have been able to include the upgraded features of directional microphones and memory buttons.

The placement of the microphone in this design enables better sound localization, because it is able to use the natural sound reflecting of the ear itself.

Completely-In-Canal (CIC)

Because the Completely- In- The-Canal style is worn completely inside the ear canal, fitting, adaptation and use of this design require patience and several follow-up visits. The level of retention and comfort are more difficult adjustments because of how deeply the instrument is placed into the canal. The look of the style, and comfort and shape, all depend upon the size and shape of your ear.

While this design can be less cosmetically appealing, and a bit less comfortable, it has the advantages of better telephone use, less outdoor wind interference, and good sound localization.