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Hearing Aids

Hearing Aid Types Explained: BTE, RIC, ITE, CIC, and IIC

A clear guide to common hearing aid styles, who they’re for, and the tradeoffs (power, comfort, handling, visibility).

Updated 2025-11-12•12 min read
hearing aid typesBTE hearing aidsRIC hearing aidsITE hearing aidsCIC hearing aidsIIC hearing aids

Why ‘type’ matters

The best style depends on your hearing needs, ear shape, dexterity, and lifestyle.

A smaller style isn’t always ‘better’ — sometimes you need more power, better microphone placement, or easier handling.

If you haven’t had a recent hearing assessment, start here: How hearing tests work in Canada.

Common styles at a glance

  • Behind-the-Ear (BTE): durable, powerful, often easiest to handle.
  • Receiver-in-Canal (RIC): popular balance of comfort and performance.
  • In-the-Ear (ITE): custom shell, simpler insertion for many.
  • CIC / IIC: very discreet but smaller batteries and fewer physical controls.

Real-life decision points (what actually changes your day)

  • Speech clarity in noise (restaurants, group conversations)
  • Comfort and feedback control (whistling)
  • Rechargeable vs disposable batteries
  • Bluetooth streaming and app control
  • Cleaning and maintenance effort
  • Repair/warranty support and how easy follow-ups are

Who often does better with a larger style

  • You need more amplification (more severe hearing loss).
  • You want simpler handling (arthritis, vision issues, tremor).
  • You want longer battery life or easier charging.

This article is general information only and is not medical advice. Only a qualified hearing professional can recommend the right style based on your hearing test and health history.

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