Hearing aids can range from being completely invisible in-the-ear, to large and powerful behind-the-ear devices. Here is a list of hearing aid styles, from smallest to largest:
Unlike custom style hearing aids that block off the ear canal, RIC style devices allow for the ear canal to remain open, allowing certain sounds to pass through the ear canal as they naturally would without being amplified. This results in a more natural sound quality.
As a result of the ear canal being left mostly open, RIC hearing aids feel more comfortable than other styles. In fact, many wearers report that they completely forget they are wearing their RIC hearing aids.
RIC hearing aids can be adjusted to suit mild all the way to profound hearing losses.
Manufacturers have spent hours designing the hearing aid to precisely match and be hidden by the natural contour of the ear. As a result, RIC devices are so discreet that others rarely notice if you are wearing one. The receiver wire that leads into the ear canal is very thin and the hearing aid behind the ear can be matched to most hair colours.
When you buy a RIC hearing aid, you never have to wonder if you’re getting state of the art technology. Anytime a manufacturer releases new technology, it’s always available in their RIC hearing aid styles first. With everyone glued to their phones these days, many people want Bluetooth style hearing aids, and if that sounds like you then the RIC is probably the style you should buy.
The receiver wire is the weakest link on a RIC hearing aid. It is normal to replace a receiver wire every year or two, sometimes even more. These wires get brittle over time, or simply get overwhelmed with wax or oil and need to be replaced. Receivers usually have a multi-year warranty which matches the warranty of the hearing aids. However, once the warranty has expired receivers can range from $75-$150 each.
If ultimate discretion is important, there really is no other choice. Sitting deep in the second bend of the ear canal, IICs are the most hidden hearing aids. The IIC is one of the new types of hearing aids in the last decade for people who want their hearing aids hidden.
The microphone of an IIC sits deep in the ear protected from the wind, preventing wind from being amplified.
Because IICs fit just millimeters from the ear drum, less volume is needed from the hearing aid. As a result, it’s less likely to feedback or whistle.
IIC devices use the smallest batteries which don’t last very long and need to be changed every 2-5 days.
Because IICs are so small, changing batteries and general maintenance requires excellent dexterity. If you have poor feeling in your fingers IICs may not be a great choice.
In order to make IICs as small as possible, the manufacturer can only leave room for essential features. As a result, they can’t fit many of the advanced features like Bluetooth, directional microphones or background noise reduction in these tiny devices.
The ear canal contains sweat, wax and moisture. This is not a great environment for the fine electrical components within hearing aids. Because IICs sit entirely within the ear canal, its parts are worn down more rapidly and will need repair.
IICs are so small that they can’t generate the power that larger hearing aids can. This means if you have severe to profound hearing loss IICs will not work for you.
Though not the most discreet style, these devices are still almost invisible and remain barely noticeable. Other may notice the skin coloured faceplate if they look into your ear.
Although still requiring good dexterity, CICs are easier to handle and maintain as they are a few millimeters larger than CICs.
All the disadvantages associated with IIC devices also apply to the CIC style, in addition to:
The CIC doesn’t fit deep within the bony portion of the ear canal like the IIC does and can cause a “plugged up” sensation like you are talking with your head in a bucket.
ITCs have enough room for a button that allows you to alter settings like noise reduction and volume. Although most hearing aids function automatically or though an app, on-board controls provide extra flexibility. ITCs are the smallest custom style that will allow for advanced features such as Bluetooth streaming, directional microphones and, more recently, recharge-ability.
ITC hearing aids are much easier to handle and maintain.
Size 312 batteries commonly last 7 to 10 days.
Like all hearing aids that sit in the ear canal, ITC hearing aids are more likely to need ongoing repairs.
The microphone on an ITC hearing aid sits in the bowl of the outer ear canal and is therefore more exposed to wind that IIC and CIC models.
The ITE is probably the easiest hearing aid style to manage – both with regard to inserting it, activating controls and maintaining it.
ITE hearing aids can use a large size 13 battery that lasts for weeks.
Just like the ITC style, ITE devices have plenty of room for both controls and whatever advanced technology becomes available.
If discretion is important to you then you may not be happy with the visibility of the ITE style.
Like, ITCs, the microphone on an ITE hearing aid is exposed to wind which can sound like a turbulent and amplified “shh” sound.
Both the microphone and receiver are hidden behind the ear and away from the wax and sweat of the ear canal. This prevents the device being damaged or blocked and results in a style that lasts longer and requires less repairs.
There isn’t much that can go wrong with a BTE. They require simple and routine cleaning to prevent excessive wax and moisture buildup.
The BTE style is always the strongest style a hearing aid manufacturer makes.
Just like RIC hearing aids, BTEs have a pretty wide fitting range. They can be worn “open-fit” with a small silicone dome in the ear, or with a custom earmold to provide more power.
Just like the RIC style, BTE hearing aids have room for the latest technologies like Bluetooth, directional microphones, and rechargeable batteries.
BTE are by far the easiest devices to manage and maintain. The custom moulds are easy to insert and stay firmly in position.
The only maintenance these devices require is routine retubing. Over time the tube can get hard, cracks and leaks sound which causes whistle (feedback). Re-tubing is quick, easy and inexpensive.
Although not seen as a disadvantage by many, the visibility may discourage those to whom discretion is important.
We only fit world class, top quality hearing aids from leading manufacturers. We source the most suitable devices from whichever manufacturer has developed the most advanced and effective devices at the time. We do not choose or prescribe on behalf of any manufacturer, so we are free to move between them to ensure we access the very latest, state-of-the-art innovations. The brands we recommend all have huge research and development departments and are at the cutting edge of hearing device innovation.
“I was fortunate to meet Jason in the early 2000s when I was an aging teacher, struggling to hear adequately in the classroom. I have severe hearing loss and am now using my third pair of aids. Jason is not tied to any particular manufacturer and is free to recommend and supply the complete range of available aids. He is an outstanding and personable young man and would be the least pushy ‘salesman’ I have ever met, nit this does not mean that he does not provide all of the information required to make the best choice. There is not the slightest attempt to sell the device that is most financially beneficial to him, and his patience is unlimited. A free trial period is followed by unstinting after-sale service, and I have no hesitation in recommending Jason to anyone with a hearing problem That is why I have recommended him to 8 friends and family all of whom have expressed complete satisfaction.”
“My experiences with Jason has been nothing less than excellent. I can speak to him at ease with both minor and major hearing problems. Jason always has time to listen to me. I have always found Jason to give honest advice and genuine expertise to my problems.”
“It’s always a pleasure to see Jason. He is friendly, helpful and interested in what I have done. He is always happy to do a repair or clean my hearing aids. Location is good. Parking is excellent. I would recommend Jason to anyone.”
“Hearing loss is a challenge with everyday communication. You don’t realise how many sounds such as music, walking through the park and hearing birds chirping, watching TV or going to the movies until those missing sounds have been identified and restored to the best it can be. I have been a client of Jason Sparnon for 10+ years and have found him to be an expert, professional Audiologist to manage my hearing loss and provide the best hearing aid the suit my condition. I highly recommend to anyone reading this testimonial that Jason Sparnon can deal with your hearing loss.”
“Jason is my preferred Audiologist for many reasons. He is a pleasant man and a good teacher. He is also a good listener, so any concerns are easily dealt with. He chooses delightful staff (Tahlia) who is always pleasant and helpful. I recommend both to my friendship group and so far, five have joined the Jason fan club. This now is the extent of my deaf friends BUT we are getting older.”
“I have been a client of Jason’s for more than ten years and have found him to be very courteous, amicable and professional, explaining everything he is doing in terms that can be understood by all. Jason always discusses and recommends the best hearing aid suitable for his clients.”
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