Hearing Aid Styles

Completely-In-the-Canal (CIC) Hearing Aids

The smallest hearing aid style with the best cosmetic attributes – they are the least visible. These are custom designed and fit deep in the ear canal which may help reduce the problem of wind noise and feedback when using a telephone.

Battery life is rather short because the batteries are so small. The aid’s size can make the instrument tricky to handle.

Shorter life expectancy than other style hearing aids as they are exposed to moisture and ear wax more than other styles which can require more frequent cleaning and repairs.

Suitable for a range of mild to moderate hearing losses.

Open Fit or On The Ear Hearing Aids

This is now the most popular style of hearing aid on the market. They are so lightweight and leave the ear canal open that many clients quickly forget they are wearing them.

These devices are very discrete (as can be seen) as they sit on top of the ear under your hair with thin tubing going into the ear canal.

These types of aids are suitable for mild to moderate hearing loses.

Canal or Mini-Canal Hearing Aids

Custom made device which is only really visible to others close up.

Uses the smallest batteries to make the aids more discreet.

Quite often ITE ‘In The Ear’ aids are more expensive than the larger more visible 'Behind-The-Ear' (BTE) Hearing Aids, but not at Hidden Hearing. Our price for in the ear aids is the same as that for the behind the ear version.

Controls, such as the battery compartment and volume control, can be fiddly for those with manual dexterity problems.

Suitable for mild to moderate hearing losses.

Half Shell or Half Concha Hearing Aids

Uses smaller batteries and is smaller and more cosmetic than a Full Concha aid.

One of the most widely accepted style of private hearing aid due to its all round good performance and appearance.

Not usually suitable for severe hearing losses.

Full Shell or Concha Hearing Aids

Even though this style fills the ‘bowl’ of the ear the size of the hearing aid still restricts the amount of power we are able to place in the instrument.

Less cumbersome and therefore slightly easier to use than smaller styles but cosmetically they may be more apparent.

When properly made they fit comfortably and securely in the ear. Existing clients report that they can be more comfortable than most BTE aids.

Suitable for most degrees of hearing loss.

Behind the Ear (BTE) or Postaural Hearing Aids

These aids are suitable for all kinds of hearing loss from mild to severe.

A custom ear mould is made to the exact shape of the ear and the components are housed outside of the ear.

The focus in recent years has been to decrease the size of the instrument and improve the quality of the sound.

Spectacle Hearing Aids

Spectacle hearing aids combine digital hearing aids built into the sides (‘arms’) of spectacles.

There are several attractive frame designs available which are cosmetically appealing and have a sturdy design.

The beauty of spectacle hearing aids is that people are unlikely to think you have a hearing loss.