Hearing Aid Styles

A hearing aid electronic device that amplifies the sound that comes to the ear. A hearing aid usually consists of a microphone, amplifier, and receiver.  The sound is received through the microphone, which then converts the sound waves into electrical signals.  The amplifier then increases the loudness of those signals and sends the sound to the ear through a speaker.  Hearing aids are battery-operated and are affixed to the ear in four general ways, depending on the age of the patient and the severity of hearing lost.

ITE Hearing Aids

ITE hearing aids -- or "In The Ear" hearing aids -- fit completely in the outer ear and are used for mild to severe hearing loss. A hard plastic case holds the components.  Other technical devices, such as telecoils, can be added to the ITE style aids.  Telecoils are small magnetic coils within the hearing aid that improve sound transmission in telephone calls.   Earwax and ear drainage can damage ITE hearing aids, and they are generally not worn by children because the casings need to be replaced as the child's ear grows.  Because of the small size of ITE hearing aids, there can be feedback problems.

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BTE Hearing Aids

BTE hearing aids refers to "Behind the Ear" devices that are worn behind the ear and are connected to a plastic ear mold that fits inside the outer ear. The hearing aid's components are located in a case behind the ear. Sound travels through the ear mold into the ear.

BTE aids are common and worn by people of all age groups for mild to bad hearing loss.

Common complaints are that if the BTE ear molds are poorly fitted, there is feedback, including a whistling sound.  The whistle sound can also be caused by earwax buildup or fluid.

Canal Hearing Aids

Hearing aids that fit into the ear canal are known are "Canal Aids." The canal hearing aids are used by patients having mild or moderately severe hearing loss.  There are two sizes. 

The In-the-Canal  hearing aid is a customized version that fits the size and shape of the ear canal. 

A Completely-in-Canal  hearing aid is, for the most part, concealed in the ear canal. 

Both types of canal hearing aids are small and can be difficult for the wearer to remove or adjust.  Because of their size, the canal aids might not be able to accommodate additional devices such as the telecoil. Earwas and drainage can damage these types of aids.  They generally are not recommended for children.

Body Hearing Aids

Body hearing aids are not too common and are generally used only when the other types of hearing aids cannot be used.  Typically, body aids are used by people suffering profound hearing loss. The hearing aid is quite large and is attached to a belt or a pocket and connected to the ear by a wire. It can incorporate many signal processing options.