There are lots of different types of hearing aids and your audiologist can help you decide which is right for you. Here are some of the options explained…
Behind the ear hearing aids (BHT) – these are perhaps the most common and most versatile type of hearing aids. A small plastic device sits behind the ear. This is attached with a tube to an earmold that fits into the opening of the ear.
In the ear and in the canal hearing aids (ITE and ITC) – these are very small plastic devices that fit in the opening of the ear. They are only visible from the sides.
Receiver in the ear hearing aid (RITE) – Similar to BHT hearing aids, a smaller plastic device sits behind the ear and is attached with a thin wire to a small speaker that fits in the opening of the ear.
Completely in the canal and invisible in the canal hearing aids (CIC and IIC) – these are the smallest types of hearing aids and work best with mild to moderate hearing loss. They are very hard to see and fit further into the opening of the ear.
Contralateral routing of sound and Bi-contralateral routing of sound hearing aids (CROS and BiCROS) – these hearing aids are designed for people who have hearing in only one ear. CROS hearing aids detect and transfer sound from the side with no hearing to the hearing ear. BiCROS hearing aids are for those who have a hearing loss in their hearing ear. They amplify and feed sound to the hearing ear from both sides.
Body worn hearing aid – one of the least commonly used hearing aids. Body worn hearing aids are small boxes attached to earphones. They can be clipped to clothes or placed in pockets. Body worn hearing aids are better suited for those with severe hearing loss.
