What are the different types of hearing aids? A straightforward guide

If you’re researching hearing aids for the first time, one of the first things you’ll notice is that they come in several different styles. The style refers to the physical shape and where the hearing aid sits in or around the ear, and it’s one of the most important decisions to think through before you buy.

The right style depends on your level of hearing loss, your dexterity, your lifestyle, and how much visibility matters to you. This guide covers the main styles available to buy online at The Hearing Shop, what each one offers, and who each style tends to suit best.

If you’d prefer a recommendation based on your specific hearing test results, our qualified UK audiologists are happy to help. The conversation is free, and there’s no obligation.

Receiver in Canal (RIC) Hearing Aids

The most popular style by some distance. A slim casing sits behind the ear while a small receiver (speaker) connects via a near-invisible wire and sits just inside the ear canal. It’s smaller than most people expect and suitable for mild to profound hearing loss.

RIC models offer the widest range of advanced features, including Bluetooth streaming, rechargeable batteries, and AI-powered noise processing, and are the style that works best with our remote programming service.

Best for: Most hearing loss levels and lifestyles. The natural starting point for the majority of customers.

Worth knowing: The fine wire is visible on close inspection, and inserting the receiver takes a little practice at first.

Behind-the-Ear (BTE) hearing aids

The entire hearing aid sits behind the ear and connects to the ear canal via a dome or earmould. The larger body allows for more powerful amplification, a stronger battery, and easier-to-operate controls, making BTE well-suited to more significant hearing loss.

Best for: Anyone with more significant hearing loss who needs stronger amplification, or anyone who finds smaller hearing aids fiddly to handle and would simply prefer something more substantial to pick up and put on each day.

Worth knowing: More visible than other styles. Custom earmoulds require a physical impression taken in person, which means this option is only available through The Hearing Shop, where a standard dome fitting is appropriate.

In-the-Ear (ITE) hearing aids

ITE hearing aids are custom-made to fit within the outer bowl of the ear. The whole device sits in the ear rather than behind it, with enough space for a reasonable battery size and some directional features.

Best for: Mild to severe hearing loss in people who want an in-ear style that’s easier to handle than smaller custom options.

Worth knowing: ITE aids require a custom ear impression taken in person and are not currently available through The Hearing Shop’s remote service.

In-the-Canal (ITC) hearing aids

Smaller than ITE models, ITC aids sit partly in the ear canal with a small portion visible in the outer ear. They’re custom-made and offer a reasonable balance between discretion and practicality.

Best for: Mild to moderately severe hearing loss where some additional discretion over ITE is preferred.

Worth knowing: Require a custom ear impression and are not currently available through The Hearing Shop’s remote service. Bluetooth connectivity is limited on most models.

Completely-in-Canal (CIC) hearing aids

Custom-made and sitting almost entirely inside the ear canal, CIC aids are very difficult to spot when worn. Designed for mild to moderate hearing loss, they use the natural shape of the outer ear to help gather sound.

Best for: Anyone who prioritises discretion and has mild to moderate hearing loss.

Worth knowing: Require a custom ear impression and are not currently available through The Hearing Shop’s remote service. Advanced features such as Bluetooth and rechargeable batteries are generally not available in this style.

Invisible-in-Canal (IIC) hearing aids

The smallest and most discreet style available, sitting so deep in the ear canal that they’re completely hidden from view. Removed via a small pull cord. Custom-made for mild to moderate hearing loss only.

Best for: Anyone for whom complete invisibility is the priority and whose hearing loss and ear canal shape are compatible with this style.

Worth knowing: Require a custom ear impression and are not currently available through The Hearing Shop’s remote service. No wireless connectivity or rechargeable option available.

Which style should you choose?

For most people, a RIC model is the natural starting point. It covers the widest range of hearing loss levels, offers the most advanced technology, and balances discretion with ease of use very well.

If your hearing loss is on the more significant side, a BTE is likely to serve you better. It offers more amplification than a RIC, and its larger size makes it noticeably easier to pick up and put on each day.

If discretion is the priority and your hearing loss is mild to moderate, an in-canal style such as CIC or IIC is worth exploring, with the trade-off being fewer advanced features and more careful handling.

Our qualified UK audiologists are happy to talk through which style is most likely to work for your specific hearing profile and lifestyle, based on your audiogram and how you live day to day.

Please note, because The Hearing Shop programmes and delivers hearing aids remotely, without a clinic visit at any stage, we are only able to sell styles that use standard domes and fittings rather than custom-made components. In practice, this means RIC models make up the majority of what we offer.

Comparing hearing aid styles at a glance

Get in touch with us about hearing aid types and what’s the right fit for you

Not sure which style suits you? Our qualified UK audiologists will recommend the right type based on your hearing test results, lifestyle, and preferences.

Contact us free, at The Hearing Shop, on 0808 208 5154 to speak with one of our audiologists who can help support and advise you on your hearing loss journey. Alternatively, you can fill in our quick form here and select the best time and day to be contacted.

✒️Written and Updated by Beverley Carter, HCPC-Registered RHAD (HAD01644)