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Types of Hearing Aids

What is a hearing aid?

A hearing aid is an electronic device that fits inside or behind the ear. It works to amplify sound or make it louder. Several types of hearing aids are available to help with hearing loss, including infants as young as 4 weeks of age. Most kinds of hearing loss can be helped by using hearing aids.

Hearing aid for your child

A hearing aid is a device that fits inside or behind the ear to make sounds louder.

Benefits of hearing aids

If you have hearing loss, it can affect how people interact and communicate with you. It can also affect how well you do at work or school. For young children, hearing loss can affect speech, learning, and development.

Hearing aids do not make your hearing normal again. And they may not work well in some situations. However, hearing aids can help improve communication and function in daily life. For many people, hearing aids should allow you to hear others speaking at a comfortable level. This depends on the degree and type of hearing loss you have. If you have severe-to-profound hearing loss, hearing aids may not be able to amplify speech to levels that you can understand clearly. Hearing aids will still help you be aware of speech and sounds around you, which can provide helpful additions to visual and facial cues to improve your ability to communicate.

Even with hearing aids, you might have trouble hearing someone talking to you in places with a lot of background noise, like restaurants, classrooms, or other public places. You might also have trouble hearing at a distance, such as someone talking to you from another room.

Hearing aid features

Hearing aids come in different sizes, colors, and designs. However, they do have some parts that are alike:

  • A microphone to pick up sound
  • An amplifier to make the sound louder
  • A receiver to send sound into the ear
  • Batteries to power the hearing aid

Other features that are available in some hearing aids include:

  • Volume control to increase or decrease loudness
  • Feedback control to adjust whistling or unwanted noises
  • T-coils (telephone coils) that can be used with wired telephones or some listening systems
  • Programmed settings that can adjust to different listening environments
  • Smartphone apps or remote controls to make it easier to adjust the device

Hearing aids vary in price by type, features, fitting, and customization. Cost is generally higher with more advanced settings and features. Some insurance plans may cover part or all the cost of hearing aids, but this can differ by plan.

Your audiologist will help you know which hearing aid style and features will best meet your needs based on your type of hearing loss, age, and daily activities.

Types of hearing aids

There are 4 general types of hearing aids:

  • Behind-the-ear (BTE)
  • In-the-ear (ITE)
  • In-the-canal (ITC)
  • Completely-in-the-canal (CITC)

  1. Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids

    BTE aids use a small plastic case that sits behind the ear. A clear piece of tubing connects the case to an earmold to direct sound into the ear. This style is best for young children because they are safe, easy to maintain, and can be adjusted as a child grows. BTE aids are also used for people who have a severe-to-profound hearing loss.

    Pros

    • Can be used for all ages and for any degree of hearing loss, from mild to profound
    • Flexible to different types of hearing loss or to a change in hearing
    • Available in fun colors
    • Comes with a switch to allow you to hear better in theatres, churches, and schools

    Cons

    • An earmold that does not fit properly or is damaged may cause feedback (whistling). To prevent this, the earmold may need to be remade periodically.

  2. In-the-ear hearing aids

    An in-the-ear hearing aid fits into the outer part of the ear.

    Pros

    • Small size
    • Easier to handle than smaller aids

    Cons

    • Not recommended for children because their ears are still growing, and the hard plastic case can be a safety issue
    • Increased chance of feedback (whistling)
    • Volume control and battery door are small and may be hard to use
    • Easily damaged by earwax, ear drainage, and moisture
    • Does not fit all hearing losses or small ear canals

  3. In-the-canal and completely-in-the-canal hearing aids

    These hearing aids are the smallest available. They fit partly or completely into the ear canal so you can hardly see them in the ear.

    Pros

    • Small size

    Cons

    • Not recommended for children because their ears are still growing, and the hard plastic case can be a safety issue
    • Increased chance of feedback (whistling)
    • Volume control and battery door are small and may be hard to use
    • Easily damaged by earwax, ear drainage, and moisture
    • Higher repair rate compared to the other styles
    • Does not fit all hearing losses or small ear canals

These are the most common styles. However, special hearing aids can be built to meet a patient’s needs.  

Hearing aid styles: behind the ear, receiver in the canal/ear, open fit, in the ear, in the canal, completely in the canal, and invisible in the canal

This shows the different types of hearing aids and how they fit into the canal.

Hearing aid batteries

Batteries may last from several days to several weeks. This depends on how much power the hearing aid needs, the type of battery used, and how often you use an assistive listening device. You can buy replacement batteries at any pharmacy. Some hearing aids come with built-in rechargeable batteries.

Choosing the best hearing aid

Your audiologist will work with you to select a hearing aid based on your type of hearing loss, communication needs, and lifestyle. You will be asked about your typical hearing activities: at home, at work or school, and in your social and leisure time. You are an important partner in choosing a hearing aid. Your answers will help decide the type and style of hearing aid that is best for you. This includes what hearing aid features you need.

Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids are best for young children. Teens and adults have a broader range of styles to choose from including behind the ear (BTE), in the ear (ITE), in the canal (ITC), and completely in the canal (CIC).

Find answers to questions about children and hearing aids.

Wearing 2 hearing aids may be recommended for people with hearing loss in both ears. This can improve listening in noisy places, helps the patient locate specific sounds, and offers better overall hearing.

Your audiologist will help you know which hearing aid is the best for you and will teach you how to use them properly. Be sure to follow all instructions for how to care for your hearing aid and schedule appointments for hearing care as recommended.

Key Points

  • Hearing aids are available to help most types of hearing loss.
  • Main parts of a hearing aid include a microphone, amplifier to make the sound louder, receiver, and power source.
  • Types of hearing aids include behind-the-ear (BTE), in-the-ear (ITE), In-the-canal (ITC), and completely-in-the-canal (CITC).
  • Your audiologist will help you select the best hearing aid to meet your needs based on your type of hearing loss, communication needs, and lifestyle.

For more information

Find information on hearing aids and other assistive devices from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).

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Reviewed: September 2022