In the ear (ITE) hearing aids

There are for main types of hearing aid: Behind The Ear (BTE), In The Ear (ITE), In The Canal (ITC) and Completely In Canal (CIC). Each have their own set of advantages and disadvantages. If you are thinking of buying a new hearing aid, it is worth spending some time thinking about which type would be best for you – ideally you should visit an audiologist or aid vendor who will give you a hearing assessment and advice on which aids would be most suitable for you.

In The Ear (ITE)

ITE models are the largest of the models that fit completely in your ear – only the BTE is larger. As the picture shows, they tend to fill the ear completely. They are less powerful than BTE aids, but more poweful then ITC or CIC aids. Usually, they are large enough to offer features such as a directional microphone, telephone switch or larger amplifier.

The electronic components in ITE aids are housed in much smaller space than with BTE aids – this means that the microphone and receiver wil be closer to each other and feedback can be a problem. This is also the case with ITC and CIC models.

This type of aid is normally recommended to people with mild to moderately-severe hearing loss. Consideration should be given to their size – they are more difficult to handle than BTE aids and fitting and removing them can be fiddly.

Because the electronic components of ITE hearing aids are inside your ear they are suspectible to damage from ear wax and moisture. You should receive a set of brushes and other tools to help you keep your ITE aid clean and in good working order.