Compare Hearing Aid Model Styles & Types

We offer modern hearing solutions with options to fit your budget. Explore the types of hearing aids we offer and discover which style might fit you.

In-the-ear (ITE) Hearing Aids

Comfortable and discreet.

In-the-ear (ITE) types of hearing aids have the latest digital technology contained in a custom-molded casing that fits in the ear. ITE hearing aid styles are extremely discreet and comfortable to wear.

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Receiver-in-canal (RIC) Hearing Aids

Superior sound quality.

Our RIC types of hearing aids offer the most natural sound experience by placing the speaker directly in the canal. Bonus: RIC hearing aid styles are also small and very discreet.

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Behind-the-ear (BTE) Hearing Aids

Powerful and easy to use.

If you need a big boost in sound, BTE types of hearing aids offer the highest amplification capability. For all their power, BTE hearing aid styles are very easy to maintain and take care of.

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Which hearing aid is right for me?

Choosing a style and model of hearing aids depends on your specific hearing loss needs, lifestyle, and personal preferences for looks and features. By learning more about the attributes of BTE, ITE and RIC hearing aids,you’ll get a better idea of what each type of hearing aid offers. It’ll also help prepare you to have a discussion with a hearing care professional about the best hearing aids for your needs and discover what’s right for you.

The best hearing aids for different degrees of hearing loss

Wondering what type of hearing aids are best for your unique hearing loss needs? Below we’re breaking down what hearing aids best suit different degrees of hearing loss.

Mild hearing loss is when a person struggles to hear soft sounds, but they can generally hear things if the volume is turned up or if someone raises their voice. If you’re dealing with mild hearing loss, you have a wide range of hearing aid options available to you. The most discreet hearing aid styles, like CIC hearing aids, will meet your amplification needs while being nearly invisible. However, if you’re looking for hearing aids with the most cutting edge technology features, RIC styles are still fairly discreet while offering a broader range of powerful features.

Moderate hearing loss is when a person struggles to hear speech when others are talking at normal levels. Most hearing aid types are suitable for moderate hearing loss, though RIC hearing aids offer a winning combination of powerful amplification and a discreet look.

A person with severe hearing loss likely won’t hear any speech when people talk at normal levels, and they may even struggle to hear loud sounds. With this degree of hearing loss, powerful amplification is needed, making BTE and ITE hearing aids the two best options.

When dealing with profound hearing loss, a person will hear very little on their own—with only very loud sounds being audible. BTE hearing aids , which offer the most powerful sound amplification, are best suited this degree of hearing loss, but cochlear implants might also be an option.

Get to Know Hearing Aid Types and Styles

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Miracle-Ear is proud to offer waterproof hearing aids in our Miracle-EarBLISS™ line. Utilizing HydroGuard™ technology, this hearing aid style features eight protective layers which are designed to withstand not only sweat and rain but also dirt and dust.

All of Miracle-Ear’s hearing aids are suitable for active lifestyles—it’s just a matter of figuring out which is best for the activities you regularly take part in. RIC hearing aids are often a good choice for all types of people. Talk to your HCP about your day-to-day or even seasonal activities and they will help you find the devices that will support your lifestyle.

Hearing aids that fit inside the canal are the most discreet options: ITC (in-the-canal), CIC (completely-in-canal) and IIC (invisible-in-canal). These models are custom molded to sit inside the canal, so they’re comfortable to wear all day.

RICs are also fairly discreet. Using a small electrical wire instead of an ear hook and a dark, opaque ear dome, RIC hearing aids are less noticeable than other over-the-ear hearing aids.

All hearing aids magnify sounds from both high- and low-frequency ranges, offering listening improvements in all kinds of environments and situations. However, the types that cover the broadest range of sounds are BTE,RIC, ITC and CIC.

BTE hearing aids have the most powerful sound amplification, making them a great option for people with severe and profound hearing loss, and those who want essential aid functions at a great value.

With BTE hearing aids, all electronics sit outside of the ear, so they can be cleaned more easily and are the least susceptible to moisture and wax. And, of course, all of the hearing aids in our Miracle-EarBLISS™ line are waterproof, protecting against moisture.

ITE hearing aid molds are custom-fitted to your ears. The molding process takes about 10 minutes, and it generally takes 2-4 days for the device to be created. Once complete, your custom hearing aids will fit the exact contours of your ears, making your devices comfortable to wear all day long. BTE hearing aids often feature custom earmolds as well.

Since BTE hearing aids are larger than most styles, they’re able to house larger batteries with longer lifespans. Hearing aids with rechargeable batteries can be charged in as little as 30 minutes. After a quick half-hour charge, you’ll be ready to wear your hearing aids for up to eight hours. With an overnight charge, they’ll last up to 24 hours, so you can enjoy more than an entire day of sound.

Since the speaker rests inside the ear canal, sounds are clearer and more natural with RIC hearing aids.

All hearing aid styles come with powerful technology that can be adapted to match your hearing loss. That said, different types of hearing aids, such as RICs and BTEs, offer a greater number of features like directional microphones, background noise reduction, voice recognition, Bluetooth connectivity and more. That’s why it’s important to talk to your HCP about your lifestyle. Together, you can discuss your priorities and which hearing aids have the features to support you.

Find what's right for you

Finding the right hearing aid model and style for your lifestyle can help you connect with your loved ones and get the most out of life. Schedule an appointment at your local Miracle-Ear and work with a certified Hearing Care Professional to find the best type of hearing aid for you.

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