A wide range of hearing aid styles are available and our recommendations are based on your hearing needs, your preferences for comfort, functionality, the look of the hearing aids, and your budget.

Hearing aids are characterized overall as either daily use hearing aids or extended-wear hearing aids. Features of both follow below:

Daily Use Hearing Aids

Behind-the-Ear (BTE)
The hearing technology is housed in a casing that rests behind the ear. A clear plastic acoustical tube directs amplified sound into an earbud or a customized earmold that is fitted inside the ear canal. The BTE device is for moderate to severe hearing loss.

Receiver-in-Canal (RIC)
The RIC is an instrument in which the receiver, or speaker, is inside the ear canal. Barely visible when worn, thin electrical wires are used instead of a plastic acoustical tube, reducing distortion. RIC hearing aids provide a comfortable, open fit for people with normal low frequency hearing but mild to moderate high frequency hearing loss.

In-the-Ear (ITE)
The technology components are housed in a custom-formed earmold that fits within the outer portion of the ear canal. ITE hearing aids are custom made for people with mild to severe hearing loss. They are desirable when dexterity for inserting one’s hearing aids is a concern.

In-the-Canal (ITC)
Features an earmold that begins nearer the entrance into the ear canal. It has a smaller profile than the ITE. ITC hearing aids are custom made for people with mild to moderate hearing loss

Completely-in-Canal (CIC)
CIC hearing instruments fit completely in the ear canal. Only the tip of a small plastic ”handle” shows outside the canal, which is used to insert and remove the instrument. CIC hearing aids are custom made for people with mild to moderately severe hearing loss.

Invisible-in-Canal (IIC)
This custom-fit style is inserted farther into the ear canal than other styles, so it’s completely invisible when worn. IIC hearing aids are designed to be removed daily to promote good ear health and are best for people with mild to moderate hearing loss.

Extended-Wear Hearing Aids

Lyric Hearing
This style is the first 100% invisible extended wear hearing aid. Lyric is worn 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for up to 4 months at a time. Lyric placement is an in-office procedure with no surgery or anesthesia required. The hearing aids sit deep in your ear canals where it uses the ear’s natural anatomy to provide clear, natural sound quality.