Types of hearing aid systems
There are many different brands and types of hearing aid, including in-the-ear, behind-the-ear and receiver-in-ear devices. Below, we explain the various types of hearing aids to give you a clear picture. This will give you an impression of the different types of hearing aids available, enabling you to choose the type of hearing aid that is right for you.
Here’s a list of the different types of hearing aids, including the abbreviations often used to refer to them:
- In-the-ear hearing aids (ITE)
- Behind-the-ear hearing aids (BTE)
- Receiver-in-ear (RIE) or speaker-in-ear hearing aids
- Lyric
In-the-ear hearing aids
In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids are made-to-measure. A hearing care professional makes a mould of your ear canal, which is then sent to the hearing aid’s manufacturer.
All hearing-aid brands offer in-the-ear hearing aids. As the device is positioned inside the ear, it is barely visible to others.
If your ear canal provides enough space, a made-to-measure hearing aid can be produced that can be inserted deep inside your ear canal. These are referred to as completely-in-the-canal (CIC) hearing aids. They include a tiny string, enabling you to remove the hearing aid from your ear with ease.
Behind-the-ear hearing aids
Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids are hearing aids where you wear the system behind your ear, with a connector leading into your ear canal. This connector leads to a made-to-measure ear piece. To produce the perfect ear piece, the hearing care professional will make a mould of your ear.
Receiver-in-ear (RIE) or speaker-in-ear hearing aids
RIE hearing aids are hearing aids that are partly situated behind the ear. RIE hearing aids do not use a connection tube, but an electronic wire.
In order to transfer sound to your ear canal, the hearing aid captures the sound, which is then transported to your ear canal by means of the electronic wire.
Lyric
The Lyric is a 100% invisible hearing aid. This invisible hearing aid is positioned deep inside your ear canal, leaving your auricle (outer ear) free to receive sounds. The sounds are then transferred clearly to this invisible hearing aid’s microphone.
The Lyric can be inserted by one of our Lyric specialists, but you can also insert it yourself. Here you can see how to insert the Lyric.
The Lyric is the only moisture-resistant hearing aid. You can wear it in the shower and even while swimming!
Do not hesitate to contact one of our hearing care professionals! We can be contacted by chat until 10 pm every day.