Picking a hearing aid is tough—because, thankfully, there are so many great options available. Of course, hearing aids are not one size fits all. Not only do you want them actually to fit your ear, but you need them to fit your lifestyle.
Let's explore the drawbacks and advantages of seven styles of hearing aids to fit your lifestyle.

1. Body-Worn

Body-worn hearing aids are composed of a small microphone that you can connect to headphones, then clip onto clothes or pockets. These are great for those with more significant hearing loss and ideal for older patients.
Active patients may prefer something smaller and with fewer cords. These are quite rare now.

2. Behind-The-Ear (BTE)

BTE hearing aids are usually worn by adults with more severe losses, babies and children and are best for less strenuous activities. BTE hearing aids range in size and can be designed to blend in with the skin. However, the older style hearing aids can generate feedback for individuals with significant hearing loss so it’s important you choose an educated and qualified Audiologist like Les here, to advise you.

3. Receiver-In-The-Ear (RITE)

RITE hearing aids have a lot in common with the BTE style. However, the primary difference is that RITE hearing aids have the speaker within the ear canal, making them great for movie-goers or those who like to listen to music or talk on the phone using their hearing aids.

4. In-The-Ear (ITE)

ITE hearing aids sit in the exposed part of the ear. They are less visible, fit well with glasses, and are easy to put in and take off. These can be harder to maintain than other hearing aids because of occasional wax buildup, but they can be a great option for musicians.

5. In-The-Canal (ITC)

ITC hearing aids are even smaller than ITEs. These go directly into the ear canal, which helps them stay in the ear better. For those with an active lifestyle and moderate hearing loss, ITC hearing aids may be a good fit.

6. Completely-In-Canal (CIC) and Invisible-In-Canal (IIC)

CIC and IIC hearing aids are the smallest hearing aids available. They are great for those who enjoy more intense physical activities. Like ITC hearing aids, CIC and IIC aids are often not appropriate for those with severe hearing loss.

7. CROS and BiCROS

CROS and BiCROS hearing aids are specifically designed for those who have lost hearing in one ear. They reroute sound from the ear with hearing loss to the fully functioning ear. Of course, these styles of hearing aids are meant for those with this specific condition.

Key Takeaway

If you are still unsure which hearing aid would be best for your hearing and lifestyle, reach out to Les and the team in either Swindon or Marlborough for help. Best of luck in your hearing aid journey and we hope that we can join you on it!