Hearing Instrument Styles
Hearing instruments come in many different styles. Finding one that's appropriate for you depends on your listening needs, the features you prefer and, most importantly, the severity of your hearing loss. Your hearing healthcare professional will help you find the right match.
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Completely-In-The-Canal (CIC)
This is currently the smallest custom made hearing instrument. The shell is designed to fit deep inside your ear canal and be practically invisible. They are most appropriate for mild to moderate hearing losses.
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In-the-Canal (ITC)
This hearing instrument is custom made to fit your ear. It is slightly larger than the CIC. This style provides access to multiple listening programs and is appropriate for mild to moderate hearing losses
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In-the-Ear (ITE)
This style is also custom made and fills your entire outer ear. A full shell ITE provides access to telecoil and multiple listening programs. It is typically for hearing losses ranging from mild to moderately-severe.
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Behind-the-Ear (BTE)
This style fits behind your ear and comes in a variety of sizes. It is attached to an earpiece, or earmold, that is custom-made for your ear. BTE instruments fit a wide range of hearing losses - from mild to profound.
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Open Ear
Open Ear aids are minature BTEs, but unlike stanard BTEs, you have to look closely to notice the Open Ear type hearing aids. Not just because they are so small, but because they feature a revolutionary new sound delivery system. Open Ear type hearing aids are so light and comfortable that you are likely to forget you are even wearing them!
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