Hearing Aid Styles

There are two basic styles of hearing aids: those that are custom built to fit in the ear and those that fit behind the ear. The in-the ear style comes in a variety of sizes:

Full shell: This style fills up most of the concha (bowl) of the ear. It has the most power of the in-the ear styles and is suitable for mild to severe losses. Because of the larger size, it can be easier to handle for many people.

Half shell: This style takes up around half of the bowl of the ear. It is a good choice for mild to moderately severe losses. It is large enough to accommodate features such as directional microphones, multiple programs and telecoils.

Canal: This style is slightly smaller than the half shell and is good for mild to moderate losses. It is generally not big enough to accommodate directional microphones.

Completely-in-the-canal: This style fits deep in the ear canal and is almost unnoticeable. The aids use very tiny batteries and require good manual dexterity. This is a good choice for those with mild to moderate losses and who are concerned about cosmetic issues.

Behind-the ear: This style has two separate parts. The electronic components are housed in a case that rests behind the ear. The case is connected to an earmold by a piece of clear plastic tubing. This style is best for children because their ears are still growing and for those with more severe losses. It is the most durable style, and the most powerful. It is also the least prone to feedback. Behind-the-ear aids come in a wide range of colors to match skin or hair tones, as well as in bright, fun colors.

Open fit mini behind-the-ear:  This style is fairly new and becoming increasingly popular.  A thin tube fits into the ear canal, leaving the ear canal open, resulting in  a more natural sound and comfortable fit.  The aids themselves are very small and practically invisible when worn.

Receiver-in-the-canal:  In this style a thin wire connects the small BTE device to a tiny speaker that fits comfortably inside the ear canal.  This style can be used with mild to severe losses.  It is very cosmetically appealing, as well as providing excellent sound quality and comfort.