Types of Hearing Aids

Find the style that fits your life

There are many hearing aid styles – some worn behind the ear, others placed discreetly inside the canal – each designed to meet different hearing needs, ear shapes, and lifestyles. At Hearing Associates, our team will help you choose the style and technology that best fit your daily routines and listening goals.

Digital vs. analog hearing aids

Digital hearing aids are now the standard. They process sounds with a computer chip, allowing them to treat soft and loud sounds differently, reduce background noise, and adjust automatically to changing environments. Wireless connectivity is often built in, enabling pairing with phones and TVs.

Older analog (conventional) models are simpler amplifiers that boost all sounds equally. They work best in quiet settings but lack the flexibility and sophistication of digital devices.

Common hearing aid styles

Behind-the-ear (BTE)

These rest comfortably behind the ear and send sound into the ear canal through a custom mold or slim tube. BTEs are powerful and versatile, with space for larger batteries and features such as volume control, telecoil, and Bluetooth streaming. They are suitable for nearly all types of hearing loss, including severe or profound cases.

In-the-ear (ITE)

Custom molded to fit the outer portion of your ear, ITE models are larger than canal styles but easier to handle and adjust. Their size allows for additional options like manual controls or directional microphones, and they work well for mild to severe hearing loss.

In-the-canal (ITC) & Completely-in-canal (CIC)

These smaller, custom-fit devices sit partly or entirely inside the ear canal for a discreet look.
  • ITC devices offer a balance between visibility and control.
  • CIC devices are the smallest, nearly invisible, and tailored for mild to moderate hearing loss.
While their small size makes them cosmetically appealing, they may have shorter battery life and fewer external controls.

Receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) / Receiver-in-canal (RIC)

A variation of the BTE, these use a thin wire to place the speaker (receiver) directly in the ear canal. This design offers clearer, more natural sound with less distortion and a lighter, more open feel.

Extended-wear hearing aids

Extended-wear hearing aids are designed to remain in place for several months at a time. They are inserted deep in the ear canal by a professional and are virtually invisible. They require no daily handling, making them ideal for those who prefer a set-and-forget solution.

Special features and enhancements

Many hearing aids include wireless or Bluetooth capability, which allows direct streaming of calls, music, or TV sound. Open-fit designs keep the ear canal less blocked, helping preserve natural sound and reduce the “plugged-up” feeling.

Other features you might find are dual microphones to improve speech clarity in noise, and feedback cancellation to reduce whistling. Some hearing aids include automatic adjustment to shift settings automatically as your environment changes.

Assistive listening devices

While hearing aids are the primary solution for most hearing loss, complementary technologies provide additional help in situations where hearing aids alone might not be enough. Such technologies include:

Assistive listening devices (ALDs)

These amplify the sounds you want to hear, especially amidst heavy background noise. ALDs can complement a hearing aid or cochlear implant to make certain sounds louder and clearer.

Augmentative and alternative communication devices (AAC)

These types of devices help people express themselves despite communication disorders. They can range from a simple picture board to a computer program that synthesizes speech from text.

Alerting devices connect to a doorbell, telephone, or alarm – something that’s designed to make a loud sound or flashing light to signal something.

Together, these types of devices are improving quality of life for people with hearing loss every day. For example, ALDs can:

  • Connect directly to televisions, computers, or phones to improve clarity without raising overall volume.
  • Use remote microphones that bring a speaker’s voice closer, helpful in meetings, classrooms, or restaurants.
  • Interface with public sound systems through telecoil (T-coil) technology, allowing clearer sound in theaters, churches, and auditoriums equipped with hearing loops.
  • Offer personal FM, infrared, or Bluetooth transmitters to bridge distance and reduce background noise.
Many of today’s hearing aids integrate seamlessly with these devices, creating an effortless connection between you and the world around you.

Which is right for me?

Choosing the right hearing aid starts with understanding your type and degree of hearing loss. Your audiologist will consider your test results, listening challenges, manual dexterity, and visual preferences to guide you toward the best options. At Hearing Associates, we’ll explain your best options for your type and severity of hearing loss and fine-tune every setting for natural, comfortable hearing.

Ready to hear life clearly again?

The first step is simple. Schedule a hearing evaluation at our Libertyville or Gurnee office and discover solutions that fit you, your goals, and your lifestyle.

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