Rochester Hearing & Speech Center

Hearing Aid Styles

Completely In The Canal The completely-in-the-canal (CIC) style is the least visible hearing aid. This style aid works best for people with a mild hearing loss.

In The Canal The in-the-canal (ITC) style fits inside the ear canal and provides good benefit for individuals with a mild or moderate hearing loss.

In The Ear An in-the-ear (ITE) style fits into the contour of the outer ear and extends into the ear canal. These aids are more visible than canal aids and can help people with a greater degree of hearing loss - from mild to moderate or even severe.

Behind The Ear The behind-the-ear (BTE) style fits over and behind the ear and requires an earmold in the outer ear that is connected with the hearing aid via tubing. This aid is recommended for all ranges of hearing loss.

Types Of Hearing Aid Technology

New technology has advanced the capabilities of hearing aids so that nearly everyone with a hearing loss can be helped.

Digital Hearing Aids

Digital hearing aid technology has advanced greatly in the past 5 years such that hearing aids are as sophisticated as many advanced computers on the market today- while still fitting your ear!  Digital hearing aids:

• allow you the best hearing possible by matching your hearing needs and preferences with the capabilities of the hearing aid
• automatically adjust to different listening environments, ensuring audibility for soft sounds and comfort for loud sounds
• allow you to hear better in noisy situations

Steps to a successful hearing aid experience:

• Hearing Evaluation - the first step in getting the best hearing aid is to get a full hearing evaluation to determine the extent of your hearing loss by a licensed audiologist.
• Hearing Aid Consultation-your clinician will work with you to understand your lifestyle needs to ensure that you get the hearing aid that best meets your needs.
• Earmold impression - an impression of your ear is taken and used to either order (a) an earmold to be used with behind-the-ear hearing aids or (b) a custom hearing aid (i.e., Completely-in-the-Canal, In-the-Canal, or, In-the-Ear).
• Hearing aid fitting- you receive your new hearing aid(s) during this visit. Your clinician will program the hearing aid for your preferences, then show you how to insert, maintain, and use it.
• Progress check - after a week or two of wearing your new hearing aid(s), you will be seen again for a progress check to assure that your hearing aid(s) are meeting your needs.
• Hear Better Now class- a unique, one hour class that helps clients and significant others better understand hearing loss, learn strategies that make communication easier, and, meet other hearing aid users with the goal of obtaining maximum benefit from the new hearing aid(s).
• 45-day check - We schedule this visit at the end of your 45-day adjustment period to ensure that you are satisfied with your new hearing aid(s) and to make sure we have answered all of your questions.

Note: There is no charge for visits that occur within the 45-day trial or hearing aid warranty period. Warranty periods may vary-dependent on the type of hearing aid purchased. For most hearing aids, RHSC offers a three year warranty and three year supply of batteries. There is a fee for office visits after the warranty period.

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