Which Hearing Aid is Best for Me? | Hearing Clinic Group Blog | Markham, Scarborough, Etobicoke, Oakville, Hamilton, St. Catharines

Are you about to choose your first hearing aid? Or thinking to switch to a different type to better suit your lifestyle? Clients are often overwhelmed by the different types of hearing aids available in the market today. So we’ve put together this comparison to explain how each differs from one another, including their pros and cons. Learn more about each type of hearing aid:

Completely in the Canal (CIC)
In the Canal (ITC)
In the Ear (ITE)
Behind the Ear (BTE)
Receiver in the Ear (RITE)
Open Fit

	Completely-in-the-canal (CIC)	In-the-canal (ITC)	In-the-ear (ITE)	Behind-the-ear (BTE)	Receiver-in-the-ear (RITE)	Open Fit

Small and discreet	✓	✓	–	–	–	–
Direct Volume Control	–	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Long Battery Life	–	–	✓	✓	✓	–
Rechargeable	–	–	✓	✓	✓	–
For Severe Hearing Loss	–	–	✓	✓	✓	–
For Profound Hearing Loss	–	–	–	✓	–	–

Completely in the Canal (CIC) Hearing Aids

Completely-in-the-canal (CIC) hearing aids are designed with a mold to fit directly inside your ear canal. This gives it the unique ability to be completely discreet, and virtually invisible. For adults with mild to moderate hearing loss, CIC hearing aids are a popular choice.

Pros	Cons
The smallest and least visible type Completely in the canal means it is the least likely to pick up wind noise Design enables outer ear to act as a funnel, helping with better sound location	Is susceptible to earwax clogging the speaker Short battery life and not rechargeable Uses very small batteries, which have shorter life and can be difficult to handle if dexterity is an issue Not for severe or profound hearing loss

In the Canal (ITC) Hearing Aids

In-the-canal (ITC) hearing aids are custom molded to fit partially in the ear canal. This type is suitable for adults experiencing mild to moderate hearing loss.

Pros	Cons
While not the smallest type, ITC hearing aids are still less visible when worn compared to other larger styles Custom-made to fit the ear canal opening means a more tailored fit The design is large enough to include directional microphones and volume control	Is susceptible to earwax clogging the speaker Uses very small batteries, which have shorter life and can be difficult to handle if dexterity is an issue Shorter battery life and not rechargeable Not for severe or profound hearing loss

In the Ear (ITE) Hearing Aids

In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids are custom designs offered in two types: Full Shell (fills most of the bowl-shaped area of the outer ear) and Half Shell (fills only the lower part of the outer ear). ITE hearing aids are recommended for adults with mild to severe hearing loss.

Pros	Cons
Made to fit the outer ear, they are easier to insert and handle Includes directional microphones and volume control Uses a larger battery for longer battery life, with several options for rechargeable batteries	More visible and not as discreet compared to smaller devices Is susceptible to earwax clogging the speaker May pick up more wind noise than smaller devices Not for profound hearing loss

Behind the Ear Hearing Aids

Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids are designed to hook over the top of the ear and rest behind it. A tube then connects it to the earmold receiver that fits into the ear canal. This type of hearing aid is appropriate for people of all ages and with any type of hearing loss, from mild to profound.

Pros	Cons
Design provides directional microphones and volume control Provides more amplification than other types Lasts longer due to larger battery and may also be available with a rechargeable option Suitable for a wide range of hearing loss	Traditionally has been the largest type of hearing aid, though some newer mini designs are streamlined and barely visible May pick up more wind noise than other styles Harder to use with telephones

Receiver in the Ear (RITE) Hearing Aids

Receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) styles of hearing aids are similar in design to BTE types. Instead of tubing connecting the piece behind the ear to the earmold, it is a tiny wire. They are appropriate for people of all ages experiencing any type of hearing loss, from mild to severe.

Pros	Cons
While using a behind-the-ear design, it has a less visible behind-the-ear portion Design provides directional microphones and volume control Lasts longer due to larger battery and may also be available with a rechargeable option	May pick up more wind noise than other styles Is susceptible to earwax clogging the speaker Harder to use with telephones Not for profound hearing loss

Open Fit Hearing Aids

Open-fit hearing aids are also designed to hook over the top of the ear and rest behind it, with a thin wire connected to the receiver. However, the key difference is they use an open dome to leave the ear canal almost completely open.This allows for low-frequency sounds to enter the ear naturally and for high-frequency sounds to be amplified through the hearing aid. This type of hearing aid is a good choice for people with better low-frequency hearing and mild to moderate high-frequency hearing loss.

Pros	Cons
More discreet than BTE types Low-frequency sounds have much greater clarity Doesn’t have the “sound of your own voice” feeling	Does not perform as well in noisy environments Non-custom dome makes it more difficult to insert into the ear Shorter battery life and not rechargeable Not for severe or profound hearing loss

Still Need Help Finding the Best Hearing Aid?

Understand all of the different types of hearing aids but still need help finding the best one for your lifestyle? With over 20 years of experience helping clients across Toronto, GTA, and the Golden Horseshoe area, we’re here to help. In fact, we guarantee that we can help you attain the best hearing possible. Contact us today!