Different types of hearing aids

There are two main types of hearing aids; Behind-the-ear (BTE) and In-the-ear (ITE). Read to find out the differences and how each type work.

Published 8/22/2024,

Updated 4/22/2025

5 min read

Hearing aidsHearing loss

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Behind-the-ear (BTE)

In-the-ear (ITE)

Which hearing aid type is right for you?

Each hearing aid comes with the same technology options – so you pay for the technology level, not the type of hearing aid.

Hearing aids these days are so tiny, you can hardly tell if someone is wearing them. Click here to compare the different types of hearing aids available in the market.

Behind-the-ear (BTE)

Just as the name implies, this type of hearing aid has the main hearing aid mechanism sitting behind your ear. There is a thin cord which transmits the sound into the receiver which amplifies sound, so you can hear it.

Receiver-in-Canal (RIC)
With this model, the housing is placed behind the ear and the receiver or loudspeaker is directly in the ear. This maintains power while reducing size.
Receiver-in-the-Ear (RIE)
Very similar to the RIC, however, the receiver is not placed as deeply in the ear.

In-the-ear (ITE)

In ITE hearing aids, all electronic components are completely contained within a casing that fits directly into the ear. The size of the ITE depends on the degree of your hearing loss and the shape of your ear canals.

In-the-Ear 1
This model sits in the canal, usually less of the hearing aid is visible.
In-the-Ear 2
The CIC are very small and placed deep into the ear canal and are therefore almost invisible.
In-the-Ear 3
These are placed deep into the ear canal and as the name implies, are invisible.

Which hearing aid type is right for you?

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