| The most versatile and powerful style of aid. Requires an extra piece, a mold,that goes in the ear canal. Not as easy to put in if there are dexterity problems, but easy to take out. This style is not affected as much as in the ear styles by ear wax. |
Quite versatile, the ITE is the most economic style. It can provide proper volume for up to severe losses. It is the best choice for people with dexterity issues. Not very appealing cosmetically, since it fills the bowl of the ear. |
Provides less volume than the ITE but still adequate for up to moderately severe losses. This style fills half of the bowl of the ear. Easy to put in and take out. |
Appropriate for up to moderate losses, the ITC is the least versatile model of hearing aid due to its small size it is not very powerful and since it doesn't go as deep in the ear it doesn't take advantage of the ear's natural amplification of speech. |
Cosmetically very appealing since it goes inside the ear canal it usually doesn't show at all. This style requires a very small battery, which might make it more difficult to handle than larger aids. Because the aid goes completely in the canal the hearing aid doesn't have to be too powerful since the shape of the ear helps by increasing the volume for speech sounds. This style is particularly susceptible to ear wax. |
This relatively new style is geared towards people with high frequency hearing loss. Is is small in size, virtually invisible and the most comfortable to wear for a lot of people. By leaving the ear canal open it avoids the "hollow" feeling caused by other hearing aid styles. |
Same as OTE but this style has the speaker at the end of the tube, placing it inside the ear canal. This allows for even smaller instruments since components are split and it provides a greater range of frequency amplification, which translates into a richer sound. |
This centuries' old style is in so much demand that it is in back-order :) |
