In-the-Ear (ITE)

In-the-Ear (ITE)
The housing of this hearing aid completely fills the concha. The advantages include a longer battery life, the availability of a power version for severe hearing loss, and improved operation.

In-the-Canal (ITC)
This is a small and discreet custom model. The hearing aid housing sits in the ear canal, thus only filling half of the concha.

Completely-in-Canal (CIC)
The smallest custom model, the CIC offers the ultimate in discretion as it is virtually invisible from the outside. These devices typically have a nylon strand to facilitate removal from the ear.

Invisible-in-Canal (IIC)
This subgroup of CIC devices are hearing aids that are worn deep in the ear canal making them completely discreet. Phonak's Lyric is an example of an IIC hearing aid.

In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids are a good option if you want an easy-to-handle device. The traditional ITE hearing aid come in different sizes, and are typically worn fully inside the ear or ear canal. These types of hearing aids can house many electronic features within one single case, providing room for more features including a telecoil, multiple directional microphones and more. 

As the name implies, in-the-canal (ITC) hearing aids fit in the ear canal. They are slightly larger and extend a little farther out than completely-in-the-canal (CIC) hearing aids. However, due to their slightly larger size, in-the-canal (ITC) hearing aids can fit more features than CICs. Like CICs and ITEs, ITC hearing aids are custom fit for your ear. They fit slightly farther out than CIC hearing aids and are partially visible. Wearers may choose from a variety of flesh-toned casings, making them difficult to notice.

Completely-in-the-canal (CIC) hearing aids are perfect if you lead an active lifestyle—or if you want a hearing aid that’s virtually invisible to others. CICs are placed directly into the ear canal, making them one of the most discreet devices on the market. Because of their smaller size, they may not have as many advanced features as other, larger models. The close placement of the microphone to the eardrum provides a more natural listening experience without feedback, whistling or a “plugged up” feeling.

IIC hearing aids sit deep inside the ear canal and are almost impossible to see. These can be worn for extended periods and must be inserted and removed by a hearing professional.

Nonetheless, their discreet appearance makes them a popular choice among wearers looking for a more aesthetically pleasing model. Due to the small size of the hearing aid, these aren't as powerful as other options and offer fewer features, such as a telecoil.