Completely-in-the-Canal (CIC)
Where worn: Fits in the ear canal (custom-made, mostly concealed).
Who for: Mild-to-moderate hearing loss. Not usually for children (case must be replaced as the ear grows).
Advantage: Smallest size (least visible).
Disadvantage: Small size can be difficult to handle; Small batteries are changed more often; Can be damaged by earwax and ear drainage.
In-the-Canal (ITC)
Where worn: Fits in the ear canal (custom-made).
Who for: Mild-to-moderate hearing loss.
Advantage: Smaller size (barely visible), custom-made.
Disadvantage: Small size can be difficult to handle; Cannot be used with some accessories; Can be damaged by earwax and ear drainage.
In-the-Ear (ITE)
Where worn: Fits completely in the outer ear (custom-made).
Who for: Mild-to-severe hearing loss, not usually for children (case must be replaced as the ear grows).
Advantage: Small size, can be used with add-on accessories, custom fit.
Disadvantage: Small size can be difficult to handle, may be damaged by earwax and ear drainage.
Receiver In-The-Canal (RIC)
Where worn:
Who for:
Advantage:
Disadvantage:
Behind-the-Ear (BTE)
Where worn: Case behind the ear with a tube to a custom earmold placed into the outer ear.
Who for: Mild-to-profound hearing loss; Can be used by all ages, including infants/children.
Advantage: Durable; Larger size easier to handle and maintain; Separate earmold can be easily replaced; Easy to use with assistive listening devices.
Disadvantage: Larger size (highly visible); high gain may cause feedback.
CROS (or BICROS)
Where worn: Can be worn in the ear or behind the ear.
Who: People with no usable hearing in one ear and normal or near-normal hearing in the other ear (or hearing loss for BICROS)
Advantage: Transfers sound received on the deaf ear side to the other hearing ear.
Disadvantage: Requires two units, transmitter and receiver. In some cases, requires a custom earmold in the better ear, resulting in a plugged feeling/occlusion. Some people report poor sound quality if hearing in the better ear is normal.
Aids are available in many different colors
Where worn: Fits in the ear canal (custom-made, mostly concealed).
Who for: Mild-to-moderate hearing loss. Not usually for children (case must be replaced as the ear grows).
Advantage: Smallest size (least visible).
Disadvantage: Small size can be difficult to handle; Small batteries are changed more often; Can be damaged by earwax and ear drainage.
In-the-Canal (ITC)
Where worn: Fits in the ear canal (custom-made).
Who for: Mild-to-moderate hearing loss.
Advantage: Smaller size (barely visible), custom-made.
Disadvantage: Small size can be difficult to handle; Cannot be used with some accessories; Can be damaged by earwax and ear drainage.
In-the-Ear (ITE)
Where worn: Fits completely in the outer ear (custom-made).
Who for: Mild-to-severe hearing loss, not usually for children (case must be replaced as the ear grows).
Advantage: Small size, can be used with add-on accessories, custom fit.
Disadvantage: Small size can be difficult to handle, may be damaged by earwax and ear drainage.
Receiver In-The-Canal (RIC)
Where worn:
Who for:
Advantage:
Disadvantage:
Behind-the-Ear (BTE)
Where worn: Case behind the ear with a tube to a custom earmold placed into the outer ear.
Who for: Mild-to-profound hearing loss; Can be used by all ages, including infants/children.
Advantage: Durable; Larger size easier to handle and maintain; Separate earmold can be easily replaced; Easy to use with assistive listening devices.
Disadvantage: Larger size (highly visible); high gain may cause feedback.
CROS (or BICROS)
Where worn: Can be worn in the ear or behind the ear.
Who: People with no usable hearing in one ear and normal or near-normal hearing in the other ear (or hearing loss for BICROS)
Advantage: Transfers sound received on the deaf ear side to the other hearing ear.
Disadvantage: Requires two units, transmitter and receiver. In some cases, requires a custom earmold in the better ear, resulting in a plugged feeling/occlusion. Some people report poor sound quality if hearing in the better ear is normal.
Aids are available in many different colors
