Generally, hearing aids can be classified into seven different types in terms of how they are fitted, how they work and what benefits they offer. The table below gives a brief overview of each type of hearing aid including who they may be suitable for, to help you to identify the best hearing aid for you.
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Type of Hearing Aid
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Description
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Behind-the-ear (BTE)
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This hearing aid sits behind the outer ear and connects via a plastic tube to a custom made earmould that sits in the ear canal and delivers sound into the ear. Some models have directional microphones.
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In-the-ear (ITE)
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ITE hearing aids sit in the outer ear (the working parts are all contained within this earmould) and may be used for a variety of hearing losses.
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Completely in-the-canal (CIC)
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Smaller than ITE aids, CIC hearing aids sit right in the ear canal and are less visible, but are generally less suited to more severe hearing losses.
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Body-worn
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Body-worn hearing aids consist of an earpiece connected by a lead to a small box that can be attached to clothes or placed in the pocket. Some people find the controls easier to handle and they can be very powerful.
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Bone conduction
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For people with a conductive hearing loss and those who cannot wear conventional air conduction hearing aids.
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CROS/BiCROS
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For people with hearing in only one ear, the CROS aid picks up sound from the side with no hearing and feeds the sound to the ear with normal hearing. BiCROS aids work in the same way but amplify the sound for people with no hearing in one ear and some hearing loss in the other ear as well.
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Disposable
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These hearing aids are replaced when the battery runs out and usually last about 10 weeks. Useful for people with mild to moderate hearing loss.
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Guide index
