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Key Takeaways:
- Two popular hearing aid styles are in-ear devices and behind-the-ear styles.
- Styles worn behind the ear are most popular (RIC hearing aids especially), but some choose an in-ear option.
- When considering the best style for you, consider comfort, sound quality, appearance, and technology.
If you're in the market for a hearing aid, you might feel like you're swimming in a sea of choices. There are many different types and styles of hearing aids, and it can be tough to decide which is right.
One of the first decisions you'll need to make is whether you prefer a hearing aid that sits behind the ear or inside the ear canal.
This guide will closely examine both styles and compare their pros and cons to help you make an informed decision.
Let's get started!
Prefer to watch?
See our full in-the-ear vs. behind-the-ear breakdown here. 👇
Let's start with a closer look at behind-the-ear hearing aids.
Around 80% of hearing aid wearers choose a style that sits behind their ear with a wire or tube that reaches into the ear canal. We'll talk about some of the reasons behind-the-ear styles are so popular in a moment.
Behind-the-ear style hearing aids come in two forms called BTE and RIC hearing aids. In both styles, the body of the hearing aids sits behind the ear, but RIC (short for "receiver-in-canal") hearing aids place a speaker at the end of the wire. In contrast, BTE (short for "behind-the-ear") keeps the microphone on the body of the hearing aid to provide more power for those with severe or profound hearing loss.
Final Thoughts
So, which type of hearing aid is right for you? That depends on your individual needs and preferences.
If you're looking for an inconspicuous hearing aid that blends in and rechargeability and Bluetooth are not necessary, ITE hearing aids can be a great option. However, if you're looking for a device with flexible sound quality and the latest high-tech features, BTE is a better option.
No matter which type of hearing aid you choose, we hope this blog post has helped demystify the world of hearing aids so that you can make an informed decision about which type is right for you!
