Types of hearing aids

With so many types of hearing aids available, knowing which one is right for you can be difficult. We explain the differences to make it simple for you to reach a decision.

If you have any concerns or have noticed a change in your hearing, book a free hearing health check and our trained professionals will be happy to help

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Style

Comfortable & discreet

In the ear

Small hearing aids that are worn entirely in the ear or ear canal rather than behind it.

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Sleeker & slimmer

Receiver in the ear canal

An open-fit hearing aid that uses a thin plastic wire with a speaker at the end is placed into the ear canal.

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perfect fit

Behind the ear

This hearing aid is traditionally the most powerful and rests on the back of the outer ear.

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Helping you select the right hearing aid for you

With so many different types of hearing aids available, knowing which one is right for you can be difficult. Whether you already have a hearing aid or are simply considering your options, at Boots Hearingcare we make it simple for you to reach a decision. We explain how hearing aids work, what to look for when choosing the right type for you, and the pros and cons of the various styles available.

Features to look out for

Rechargeable batteries

Rechargeable devices have built-in power units that do not require regular removal.

Telecoil technology

Is useful during phone calls – it transfers the speech signals from your phone directly to your ear.

Bluetooth compatibility

Bluetooth has greatly enhanced the overall user experience and enabled hearing aids to function as highly personalised devices.

What types of hearing aids are available?

Unlike older, bulkier technologies, the hearing aids you can buy today are much more advanced and are designed to be more discreet and powerful. There are two main types of hearing aids available:

In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids
Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids

In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aid styles

Completely-in-the-canal (CIC) hearing aids and Invisible-in-canal (IIC) hearing aid

Best for:

Mild to moderate hearing loss

Both CIC and IIC hearing aids are small and discreet. Invisible-in-canal aids fit deeper into your ear canal while completely-in-the-canal aids fit entirely within the ear canal, making them the perfect option for those who don’t want to draw attention to their hearing loss or may be feeling self-conscious about wearing hearing aids.

Pros:

They are discreet, making them aesthetically appealing.
As they fit directly within the ear, you can use headsets and telephones without removing them.
They provide great sound quality and feel less bulky and more natural in your ear.

Cons:

Due to their small size, they are often harder to remove and adjust, meaning those with dexterity issues might struggle with them
Their size means they have a reduced processing capacity, so they're not the best option for severe or profound hearing loss
They often have reduced battery performance
If you have narrow ear canals you might not be able to wear IIC hearing aids as your ear canals have to be big enough to fit them

In-the-canal (ITC) hearing aids

Best for:

Mild to moderate hearing loss

Slightly larger than IIC and CIC hearing aids but still small and discreet, ITC aids sit comfortably in your ear canal and are often custom-made and molded to the shape of your specific ear for the perfect fit. They are designed to fit the lower third of your external ear canal.

Pros:

They are discreet and less visible than larger styles.
They are normally custom-made for the ultimate comfort.
Usually available with a wider range of features.
As they are slightly larger, they are much easier to handle, making them ideal for people who struggle to operate smaller hearing aids.

Cons:

In-the-canal hearing aids are sometimes not suitable for more severe hearing loss, as they may not be powerful enough.
They are normally custom-made for the ultimate comfort.
As they are still relatively small, they may be difficult to remove and keep clean if you struggle with dexterity.

Behind-the-ear (BTW) hearing aid styles

Receiver-in-the-canal (RIC) and Receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) hearing aids

Best for:

All levels of hearing loss.

Both RIC and RITE hearing aids are designed to feature behind-the-ear components that connect to a receiver sitting within the ear or ear canal and use a tiny wire to transmit sound.

Pros:

These devices usually come with rechargeable batteries, making them a more environmentally friendly and cost-effective solution.
The tip of RIC and RITE hearing aids sits within the ear canal without fully sealing it, making it feel more natural for the wearer.
You have the option to change the levels of the receiver if your hearing changes or deteriorates.

Cons:

As the speaker sits within the ear itself, they may require more regular cleaning and are more prone to damage from dirt and dead skin.
They aren’t as discreet as other models; the hearing aid is more visible as it sits behind your ear.
It’s harder to use a headset or telephone as it has to be held over the microphone.

Frequently asked questions

What is a hearing aid?

A hearing aid is a small, wearable, battery-powered electronic device that helps those living with hearing loss to hear sounds and better understand speech. They are also used to reduce background noise so wearers can hear more clearly in noisy environments.

When are hearing aids needed?

Hearing loss is generally a gradual process, and it’s no secret that it can have a huge impact on your emotional well-being, your ability to work, and how well you connect with others, while also increasing the likelihood of developing dementia.

Hearing loss is categorised by different levels - normal hearing, mild hearing loss, moderate hearing loss, and severe hearing loss. While hearing is unique to everyone, hearing aids are normally needed if you’re suffering from any form of hearing loss, even if you have a mild diagnosis.

If you’re struggling to understand speech, find yourself turning up the TV more and more, if background noise is making listening hard or if you’ve noticed a significant change in your hearing, you might need a hearing aid. Contact a trained audiologist or Ear, Nose, and Throat specialist if you’re struggling with your hearing.

How do hearing aids work?

Hearing aids are either analog or digital and normally consist of three main components: a microphone, an amplifier, and a speaker.

They work by receiving sound through the microphone, which sends a signal to the amplifier, which increases the sounds and sends them into the ear via the speaker. Find out more about how hearing aids work.

What types of hearing aids are available?

Unlike older, bulkier technologies, the hearing aids you can buy today are much more advanced and are designed to be more discreet and powerful. A perfect choice gave the recent demand for smaller devices. There are two main types of hearing aids available:

In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids
Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids

What features do you need to look out for?

While the right hearing aid will depend on several factors, from the degree of your hearing loss to your budget, there are several additional features available that could help to improve your hearing experience:

Rechargeable batteries: being able to recharge the batteries in your hearing aid is both better for the environment and more cost-effective
Telecoil technology: also known as t-coils, these are small copper wires that are added to hearing aids to pick up magnetic signals from loop systems, removing background noise and amplifying sounds directly to your hearing aid. They make it easier to hear in a range of environments such as theatres, cinemas, or places of worship
Bluetooth compatibility: allows your hearing aid to connect to devices such as your mobile phone or wireless speakers
App integration: a range of modern hearing aids also come equipped with smartphone apps where you can adjust your aids or even translate different languages

What's the difference between open and closed fittings?

Hearing aids can be either closed or open in design.

An open design means that the sound waves will reach your eardrum more naturally. Behind-the-ear hearing aids can have open fittings; the sound tube and earpiece sit in your external ear canal. Because the hearing aid doesn’t fill your whole ear canal, it’s possible to hear louder sounds naturally. Open-fit models also give you better ventilation of your ear canal.

A closed design means that your external ear canal is mostly filled by either an earpiece or an in-the-ear hearing aid. But this doesn’t mean that air can’t circulate – hearing aids have vents that allow air through. By fitting a closed design to your ear canal, the sound is transmitted to you more directly, so the full range of your hearing aids’ features can be used more effectively.

How much do hearing aids cost?

For many hearing aid wearers, the cost of a device can be concerning. However, there is a range of devices on the market at a variety of prices and Boots Hearingcare.

Find out more about hearing aid prices.

What other hearing designs are out there?

If none of the above hearing aids meets your hearing needs, there are other, more specialist alternatives available. Both bone conduction and bone-anchored hearing aids bypass the middle ear to transmit sound, while implants might also be a viable option. These might include middle ear implants, cochlear implants, or brainstem implants.

All these specialist types of hearing aid could be available through the NHS, so speak to your GP for more information.

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Types of hearing aids

Top product features

Rechargeable

Invisible

Bluetooth

Style

In the ear

Receiver in the ear canal

Behind the ear

Helping you select the right hearing aid for you

Features to look out for

Rechargeable batteries

Telecoil technology

Bluetooth compatibility

What types of hearing aids are available?

In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aid styles

Pros:

Cons:

In-the-canal (ITC) hearing aids

Pros:

Cons:

Behind-the-ear (BTW) hearing aid styles

Pros:

Cons:

Frequently asked questions

What is a hearing aid?

When are hearing aids needed?

How do hearing aids work?

What types of hearing aids are available?

What features do you need to look out for?

What's the difference between open and closed fittings?

How much do hearing aids cost?

What other hearing designs are out there?

Book a FREE hearing check

Online Hearing Test

Find your nearest store