In the Ear (ITE) – they are the largest custom style of hearing aid, filling the bowl of your ear, and can have the most power and features available for in the ear hearing aids.

Half Shell (HS)- a custom hearing aid that only fills about half the bowl of your ear, they are able to have a good deal of power and features, use a smaller battery.


In the Canal (ITC)- the next smallest size is the custom ITC hearing aid, harder to see than the larger hearing aids, but also not able to have as much power or as many features.

Mini Canal (MC) – they are smaller than the ITC hearing aid. The custom mini canal uses a smaller battery and has even less power available and its features can also be more limited.

Completely in the Canal (CIC) – the smallest custom in the ear hearing aid and very popular due to its cosmetic appeal and ease of use. There are usually no manual controls on a CIC, telephone usage is better because they are less likely to whistle.

Behind the Ear (BTE) – it sits behind your ear and is connected to your ear by a tube with an ear mold attached having the most power and features available.

Open Ear (OE) and Receiver in Canal (RIC) – fairly new style of BTE made available in recent years and are much smaller than a traditional BTE, meant primarily for high frequency hearing loss. It is connected to your ear by a very thin tube or wire with a small ear bud on the tip.

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