Hearing aids have evolved from early non-electric ear trumpets to today's digital devices. The earliest hearing aids were funnel-shaped devices that provided little benefit, while 1900s analog aids were basic amplifiers. Digital hearing aids from the 1990s on can precisely control sound output for customized hearing. There are five main styles today - receiver in canal (RIC), behind the ear (BTE), in the ear (ITE), in the canal (ITC), and completely in the canal (CIC) - varying in size and placement to suit different hearing losses.

1. Hearing Aid Styles
There are many available hearing aid styles to suit
your hearing loss, style, and lifestyle needs. Over
time, hearing instruments have evolved from the
earliest non-electric ear trumpet styles often
made of animal horns or other materials to
today’s modern digital technology. Some hearing
aids today are so small they are practically
invisible. Please use this guide to walk you
through the hearing aids that have been available
in the past, and what is present today!
The earliest forms of hearing aids were merely funnel-shaped “trumpets”
guiding the sound into the ear. While this “funneling” of sound to the ear
may have been helpful to those with milder losses, for the most part, many
were not likely helped by these “aids”. The 1900s introduced the analog
electronic hearing aid. For the greater part, these aids were merely
amplifiers, increasing the volume of all sounds in the environment fairly
equally. Beginning as very large hand held and body worn aids, over time
advances were made in size reduction and in programmable features. The
1990s brought about the introduction of completely digital hearing
instruments.
With digital processing, sound could be sorted out into smaller bits of
information, allowing for easy manipulation. This greater capability to control
the output of the sound allowed for very specific hearing customization.
While analog aids are still available, they are slowly being phased out for
more advanced digital products.
California Hearing Aid Professionals
720 S. Euclid Street Ste. 6, Anaheim, California, 92802, 714-776-8757
130 W. Route 66 Ste 210, Glendora, California, 91740, 626-963-7200

2. There are Five main types of hearing aids available in today’s market:
1. Receiver In The Canal (RIC) Hearing Aids
• RIC’s consist of a case which houses the majority of the working parts
of the hearing aid and a speaker/dome component.
• On the RIC the case has a small speaker wire attached which travels
down the front of the pinna and into the ear canal.
• They are available in all the technology levels, making the RIC hearing
aid a popular choice.
• RICs can be used for mild to profound hearing loss.
2. Behind-the-Ear (BTE)
• Worn over the top of the ear, connected to tubing that runs along the
front of the ear, attaching to a custom ear mold or dome tip in the ear
canal
• May be in-stock since the main portion does not have to be custom
made
• Range in size from large to small and nearly invisible
• Considered one of the most appropriate styles for young children
• Fits a variety of losses from mild to profound
• Open-fit BTE
• A specific type of BTE that is connected by even thinner tubing or wire
to a small dome or custom mold in the ear canal
• Does not occlude the ear canal as much as other hearing aids
• Minimizes the feeling of being plugged up
California Hearing Aid Professionals
720 S. Euclid Street Ste. 6, Anaheim, California, 92802, 714-776-8757
130 W. Route 66 Ste 210, Glendora, California, 91740, 626-963-7200

3. • Minimizes the loudness and distortion of the sound of your own voice
when wearing aids
3. In-the-Ear (ITE)
• Custom fit to your ear
• Fits into the bowl of the ear with a receiver (speaker) extending into
the ear canal
• Various sizes from filling the entire bowl of the ear to only half
• Typically easy to insert and remove
4. In-the-Canal (ITC)
• Custom fit to your ear
• Fits into the very bottom of the bowl of the ear with a receiver
(speaker) extending into the ear canal
• Smallest style that can use more than one microphone at a time for
better noise reduction
• Typically easy to insert and remove
• Best for those with less severe hearing losses who do not want a large
hearing aid
5. Completely-in-the-Canal (CIC)
• Custom fit to your ear
• Completely housed in the ear canal
• May not have all of the capabilities of the other styles due to lack of
room for placement
• Nearly invisible; very cosmetically appealing
California Hearing Aid Professionals
720 S. Euclid Street Ste. 6, Anaheim, California, 92802, 714-776-8757
130 W. Route 66 Ste 210, Glendora, California, 91740, 626-963-7200

4. • Best aid for natural telephone use
• Better for less severe hearing losses
• Difficult to insert and remove for those with dexterity issues
• May require more frequent repairs due to moisture and wax build up
because of deep ear placement
Ask your hearing healthcare professional what hearing aid style is best for
you today!
California Hearing Aid Professionals
720 S. Euclid Street Ste. 6, Anaheim, California, 92802, 714-776-8757
130 W. Route 66 Ste 210, Glendora, California, 91740, 626-963-7200