behind the ear hearing aids styles Audiologist , digital hearing aids Alder

Behind the ear styles

Private digital hearing aids are available in a range of sizes and technologies.

Here we explain some features and differences .

Phonak Audeo RIC hearing aid from mi Ears Audiology Aldershot

RIC - Receiver in the canal

These are small behind the ear hearing aids. They have some characteristics of in the ear digital hearing aids as the receiver (loudspeaker) is placed inside the ear canal but the microphones, processing etc. are placed behind the ear.

This is the most common style of digital hearing aid as it has the most advantages, feature packed and easy to use of all the hearing aids.

Advantages

Suitable for a wide range of hearing loss, from mild to severe.
Feature packed - even the very smallest RIC digital hearing aids have room for advanced processing, Bluetooth and rechargeable features.
Comfortable to wear.
Can be very discreet. The hearing aid behind the ear can be very small and the receiver wire going into the ear is very thin and difficult to see when in place.

Disadvantages

As a component, the receiver, goes into the ear canal, it may not be suitable for people that produce a lot of ear wax or have wet ears.
Some maintenance required. The domes and receiver wax guards will need to be replaced routinely.

Signia Motion BTE hearing aids from mi Ears Audiology Aldershot

BTE - Behind the ear

Behind the ear hearing aids hearing aids have all the components in one unit behind the ear and the amplified sound travels through a tube into the ear via an earpiece.

The ear piece and tubing can come in one of two form, instant fit (sometimes called open fit) or earmould.

Instant fit behind the ear hearing aids have a thin acoustic tube from the hearing aid with a small “rubber” dome that that sits in the ear.

Earmould behind the ear hearing aids have a thicker acoustic tube that goes into a custom made mould that fits in the ear. The mould can be made in a range of materials from hard acrylic to soft silicone.