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Finding the right type of hearing aid

Do you want to improve your hearing but not sure what type of hearing aid is best for you? You’ve come to the right place. Use this page to find out about:

All the basic types of hearing aids
Facts and features to consider when choosing the right type for you

You're always welcome to visit one of our hearing clinics, where we'll be happy to show you some of the most popular hearing aid models available.

Find a hearing clinic near you

Image shows hearing aid placed in-the-ear

Hearing aid type: In-the-ear

There are five types of in-the-ear hearing aids, ranging from the invisible-in-the-canal to the full shell in-the-ear hearing aid:

Suited for mild to severe hearing loss
The smallest style is virtually invisible, sitting inside the ear
The full shell style fits inside the outer part of the ear
All types are custom-made to suit the shape of your ear for optimal comfort and sound quality
Some models offer Bluetooth® technology so that you can stream sound from your phone, computer or TV

Try for 60 risk-free days In-the-ear hearing aids

4 facts about in-the-ear hearing aids

1. Discreet and less noticeable than other hearing aid types

2. Can be susceptible to ear wax and moisture build-up

3. Rarely available with rechargeable batteries

4. Some styles include Bluetooth® streaming and telecoil features

Browse through in-the-ear hearing aid types

Invisible hearing aid completely in canal

Completely-in-canal (CIC)

Very small and discreet
Practically invisible to other people
Custom-designed to fit discreetly in your ear canal
Option to manually control settings in different environments
Can be vulnerable to ear wax and moisture build-up

Try CIC hearing aids risk free

In-the-canal (ITC)

Small and custom-made to fit in your ear canal
Discreet
Longer battery life than smaller models
Directional microphone enhances important sounds (like speech) and reduces background noise
Easy to insert and remove

Try ITC hearing aids risk free

Half shell in-the-ear

Custom-made to fit your whole outer ear
Relatively discreet
Longer battery life than smaller models
Suitable for more severe hearing loss than smaller models
Easy to handle
Additional, high-tech features make it more versatile

Try ITE hearing aids risk free

Full shell in-the-ear

Custom-made to fit the entire area of your outer ear
Provides high-quality sound amplification
Longer battery life than smaller models
More suitable for severe hearing loss (when compared to smaller models)
Easy to handle
Additional, high-tech features make it more versatile

Try ITE hearing aids risk free

Invisible hearing aids invisible in canal

Invisible-in-the-canal (IIC)

Adapts automatically to the sound environment
Discreet
Can be vulnerable to ear wax and moisture build-up
Is better for minimising wind noise (due to its position)
Does not have a directional microphone
Can be difficult to adjust for those with limited dexterity

Try IIC hearing aids risk free

Tips from the experts

Find a hearing clinic with in-house audiologists or hearing care professionals who can look after your specific needs. A specialised hearing clinic will have several hearing aid types and brands, allowing you to find the best solution for you.

Book a free hearing consultation

Image shows an audiologist helping a customer find the right hearing aid for them

Hearing aid type: Behind-the-ear

These are the most popular hearing aids for people with hearing loss.

Suited for mild to profound hearing loss
All components are housed behind the ear. A clear tube leads to an earpiece that fits inside your ear
Modern hearing aids are sleeker and slimmer than older versions and are great for people with dexterity difficulties or visual impairment
While modern behind-the-ear models are very discreet, they are not as invisible as in-the-ear hearing aids
Contain powerful technology and typically have more features than in-the-ear hearing aids

Behind-the-ear hearing aids

4 facts about behind-the-ear hearing aids

1. More powerful and versatile than in-the-ear hearing aids

2. Rechargeable battery options available

3. Some users find the behind-the-ear placement more comfortable

4. Can often connect to and stream wirelessly from smartphones, TVs and tablets

Browse through behind-the-ear hearing aid types

miniRITE

Suitable for most types of hearing loss
Smaller and less noticeable than traditional BTE hearing aids
Rechargeable battery options available
Able to connect to smart devices via Bluetooth®
Often connected to a small dome for ventilation

Try miniRITE hearing aids risk free

Behind-the-ear (BTE)

Placed behind the ear, a thin, clear tube connects to an earmould that fits inside the outer ear
Suitable for all hearing loss levels and ear sizes
Most powerful and versatile type of hearing aid
Slightly larger size accommodates more features
Connects to smartphone and TV via Bluetooth®
Also available with rechargeable batteries

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Open-fit

Sits behind the ear and is connected by a tube that directs the amplified sound down into the ear canal
Keeps the ear canal open so that sound can enter more naturally
Suitable for mild to severe hearing loss
Can adapt to different listening situations
Connects to smartphone and TV via Bluetooth®
Available with rechargeable batteries

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Invisible hearing aids

Modern hearing aids are more discreet than ever. Some are even practically invisible. Designed to be especially discreet, the smallest variants of in-the-ear hearing aids are placed inside the ear canal. Examples of these include:

Invisible-in-the-canal hearing aids
Completely-in-the-canal hearing aids

Sitting inside your ear canal, these are considered to be the most invisible hearing aids available. People are unlikely to notice them.

Several types of behind-the-ear hearing aids are also discreet and will not be particularly noticeable when worn. Behind-the-ear hearing aids come with more features and advantages, making them preferable for many wearers.

Invisible hearing aids

Rechargeable hearing aids

Some hearing aids come with rechargeable batteries. An easy overnight charge allows for hassle-free maintenance. You'll no longer need to regularly replace batteries. This can be especially beneficial for those with dexterity challenges.

Rechargeable hearing aids

Bluetooth® hearing aids

If you choose a hearing aid with Bluetooth® technology, you can connect it to your TV so you can hear the TV audio directly in your hearing aid.

It's also possible to connect a hearing aid to other Bluetooth® devices, like mobile phones, computers, and tablets. If you have an iPhone, then your Bluetooth® hearing aids can double as a wireless headset, allowing you to listen to music or make hands-free phone calls.

Bluetooth® hearing aids

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What to consider when researching hearing aid types

Guide to choosing hearing aids

Choosing the right model for you will depend on a few things. Our three-step guide will help you find the best hearing aid for you.

Download guide Guide to hearing aids

Types of hearing aids

Finding the right type of hearing aid

Hearing aid type: In-the-ear

4 facts about in-the-ear hearing aids

Browse through in-the-ear hearing aid types

Completely-in-canal (CIC)

In-the-canal (ITC)

Half shell in-the-ear

Full shell in-the-ear

Invisible-in-the-canal (IIC)

Tips from the experts

Hearing aid type: Behind-the-ear

4 facts about behind-the-ear hearing aids

Browse through behind-the-ear hearing aid types

miniRITE

Behind-the-ear (BTE)

Open-fit

Invisible hearing aids

Rechargeable hearing aids

Bluetooth® hearing aids

Book a free hearing test

What to consider when researching hearing aid types

1. Talk to an expert about hearing aids

2. Find a solution that reduces background noise and provides better speech understanding

3. Consider a solution that reduces feedback noise

4. Explore hearing aids with a 360-degree sound experience

5. Be aware of your personal hearing needs

Guide to choosing hearing aids

Take a minute to find out what hearing aid models suit you

Our online hearing screening test only takes 5 minutes

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