Consumer Guide 2 | Page 8

Generic Styles of Hearing Aid

Hearing aids generally come in 5 styles , based on where they are placed on or in the ear :

1 . Behind The Ear ( BTE )

The style most commonly associated with the NHS provision . This type is very reliable and a cheaper alternative . They are mostly suited to those with very severe or profound hearing losses . Some are water resistant or water proof .

2 . Open Ear

This is where a BTE is fitted with a very fine tube and dome tip , instead of a large mould . This style is generally available on the NHS . It is less expensive and a great solution for those with a high frequency hearing loss . It can also solve the problem of one ’ s own voice sounding too loud , as can occur with BTEs .

3 . Receiver in the Canal ( RIC )

This style is completely dominant in the European market . The behind the ear part is very small as the loudspeaker is on the end of the wire ( situated at the entrance of the ear canal ). Because the sound is delivered closer to the ear drum this tends to make them more readily accepted and more efficient in background noise .

4 . In The Ear ( ITE )

Also known as In The Canal ( ITC ) or Completely in the Canal ( CIC ). These types are more prominent in the US and UK markets . They are formed from an impression taken of the user ’ s ear . The commonest type is the CIC which is just visible at the ear canal entrance and the ITC is an excellent , cosmetically appealing aid that can be easy to handle even with poor finger sensitivity .

5 . Invisible in the Canal ( IIC )

The most advertised style - a relatively new type , about half the size of a CIC . Ideally , this should be fitted beyond the jaw-line , thus creating a less blocked up sensation than In-The-Ear models .

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Receiver In the Canal ( RIC )

Invisible In the Canal ( IIC )

Completely In the Canal ( CIC )

In the Canal ( ITC )

Generic Styles of Hearing Aid Hearing aids generally come in 5 styles, based on where they are placed on or in the ear: 1. Behind The Ear (BTE) The style most commonly associated with the NHS provision. This type is very reliable and a cheaper alternative. They are mostly suited to those with very severe or profound hearing losses. Some are water resistant or water proof. 2. Open Ear This is where a BTE is fitted with a very fine tube and dome tip, instead of a large mould. This style is generally available on the NHS. It is less expensive and a great solution for those with a high frequency hearing loss. It can also solve the problem of one’s own voice sounding too loud, as can occur with BTEs. 3. Receiver in the Canal (RIC) This style is completely dominant in the European market. The behind the ear part is very small as the loudspeaker is on the end of the wire (situated at the entrance of the ear canal). Because the sound is delivered closer to the ear drum this tends to make them more readily accepted and more efficient in background noise. 4. In The Ear (ITE) Also known as In The Canal (ITC) or Completely in the Canal (CIC). These types are more prominent in the US and UK markets. They are formed from an impression taken of the user’s ear. The commonest type is the CIC which is just visible at the e ��)���������Ʌ��������ѡ��%Q)�́����ፕ����а���͵�ѥ�����)��������������ѡ�Ё������)����Ѽ���������ٕ��ݥѠ)���ȁ�����ȁ͕�ͥѥ٥��((Ը�%�٥ͥ�������ѡ�) ������%%�)Q������Ё��ٕ�ѥ͕�)��屔�����ɕ��ѥٕ��)��܁����������Ё����)ѡ��ͥ锁����� %��%�����䰁ѡ��)͡�ձ��������ѕ����役��ѡ�)��ܵ������ѡ�́�ɕ�ѥ���������)�����������͕�ͅѥ���ѡ��)%��Q����ȁ�����̸((�()I����ٕȁ%��ѡ�� ������I%�()%�٥ͥ����%��ѡ�� ������%%�() �����ѕ��%��ѡ�� ������ %�()%��ѡ�� ������%Q�((0