Types of Hearing Aids

When we talk about types of hearing aids, there are actually two considerations: technology and shell-style.

Technology refers to whether the hearing aid is non-programmable analog, programmable analog or digital. While new digital hearing aids are becoming increasingly popular due to such advantages as better quality sound, advanced processing to help control background noise or feedback, and the ability to achieve a more customized fit, your child’s hearing healthcare professional may recommend any of these types of hearing aids depending on such factors as age, hearing loss and lifestyle.

Shell Style refers to where the hearing aids sit in relation to the ear. There are four main shell styles of hearing aids: completely-in-the-canal (CIC); in-the-canal (ITC); in-the-ear (ITE); and behind-the-ear (BTE). Chances are your child will be fit with a BTE as the ears are still growing and BTEs can be used most effectively with assistive listening devices, such as FM systems. Teenagers whose ears have stopped growing or children with very mild hearing losses might wear ITEs.