Types of Hearing Aids - Special Helpline: Freephone 0800 034 0294

People with sensorineural hearing loss can choose from four basic types of hearing aid.

Type 1: In-the-ear devices fit in the outer ear and can include a telecoil that improves sound during telephone calls. Their small size can lead to adjustment problems and they're liable to be damaged by earwax.

Type 2: Behind-the-ear aids are connected to an earmould inside the ear through which the sound travels, and are suitable for users of all ages.

Type 3: Canal aids fit in the ear canal and come in two sizes. In-the-canal hearing aids are shaped to fit the individual's ear canal, whereas Completely-in-canal hearing aids are largely concealed within the ear. Their size and placement render them difficult to adjust and they are not normally recommended for children.

Type 4: Body aids are recommended for people with profound hearing loss for whom the other types are not suitable. They are attached to a belt or pocket and are connected to the ear by a wire.

More specifically you may find the following information useful:

What different types of hearing aids can I choose from?

Hearing aids are described as analogue or digital, depending on the technology they use to process sound. Digital hearing aids are the newest kind of hearing aid. In fact, analogue technology is gradually being phased out. However, body-worn aids and some bone conduction types are analogue. Your hearing aid audiologist or hearing aid dispenser will advise you on the most suitable type for you.

Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids

These usually have an earmould that sits inside your ear. The hearing aid rests behind your ear and a plastic tube connects it to the earmould. This is the most common type of hearing aid - most NHS digital hearing aids are BTE aids. There is a new, alternative way of fitting BTE aids that does not involve an earmould. This is called an 'open ear fitting' and uses a smaller, soft earpiece at the tip of the tubing instead of an earmould. These fittings are less visible than earmoulds but are only suitable if your hearing loss is mild. They give you a very natural sound.

In-the-ear (ITE) and in-the-canal (ITC) hearing aids

These have their working parts in the earmould, so the whole aid fits into your ear. They tend to need repairing more often than behind-the-ear aids. Some in-the-ear aids can be seen from the side. The smallest ITC aids fit right inside your ear canal, where they can hardly be seen at all. If you have a severe hearing loss, or very narrow ear canals, these aids will probably not suit you.

Body-worn hearing aids

These have a small box that you clip to your clothes or put in your pocket. This box contains the microphone and working parts. It is connected by a lead to an earphone clipped into your earmould. Body-worn hearing aids may be suitable if you have sight problems, or problems using very small switches or buttons. Some models are very powerful. Bone conduction hearing aids,are for people who cannot wear a conventional hearing aid or those who have a conductive hearing loss. Conductive hearing loss happens when sound vibrations are unable to pass freely through the outer and middle parts of your ear. Instead of sound from the hearing aid going into your ear canal, bone conduction hearing aids send sound vibrations through the skull, directly to your inner ear. This is done by wearing a headband that holds a small bone vibrator in place behind the ear. Another type, called the bone anchored hearing aid (BAHA), involves having a small operation behind your ear to implant a permanent fixture in the bone, which removes the need for wearing a headband. A small sound processor clips onto this fixture. See their factsheet "Bone conduction hearing aids" for more information.

(CROS)/BiCROS hearing aids

These are for people with hearing in one ear only. CROS hearing aids pick up the sound from the side with no hearing and feed it to the better ear. This ensures that you don't miss sounds on your deaf side. BiCROS aids amplify sound from both sides and feed it into the ear that has some hearing.

Disposable hearing aids

These are only suitable for people with mild to moderate hearing loss. Disposable hearing aids fit right inside the ear canal, but they may not be comfortable for everyone because they only come in fixed sizes. They can be thrown away and replaced with a new one when the battery runs out, which is usually after about 10 weeks. They can only be bought privately and cost around £26 per month for each ear.