Serving the Bellevue, Eastside and Seattle, Washington areas!
Hearing Aid Styles
Behind-the-Ear (BTE) hearing aids hook over the top of the ear. Amplified sound is directed into the ear via a thin, clear plastic tube that is held in place by an earmold, which is custom-made to fit your ear.The BTE style is suitable for all types of hearing losses from mild to profound, and offers the maximum fitting flexibility.Many features, such as program push buttons and volume controls, are available. This style is exceptionally sturdy and reliable and less prone to damage from ear wax or moisture than the custom products. Battery life typically is longer because of the larger battery size. These aids can be connected to external sound sources, such as infrared listening systems and TVs.
Many manufacturers now offer open fitting BTE or receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) versions. Open-fit behind-the-ear products are smaller than standard-size BTE aids and available in a variety of colors and designs. They combine cosmetic appeal with improved acoustics, which come from leaving the ear canal open. This product is best suited for individuals with normal or near-normal low-frequency hearing and loss for the mid and/or higher pitches. The hollow voice perception is eliminated and sounds, including your own voice and chewing, are heard more naturally and comfortably than with a product that plugs the ear canal.
In-the-Ear (ITE) hearing aids are custom-made to fill the concha (the bowl-like portion of your outer ear). This style is probably the most visible but offers the most power of the custom-made products; users up to a severe loss generally can be fit. This style is a good solution for users with dexterity issues, since the battery is larger, or for those who want all the options available in advanced technology. Half-shell (HS) hearing aids are smaller than the standard ITE style and fill the lower half of the concha.
In-the-Canal (ITC) hearing aids are small enough to fit almost entirely in your ear canal. The style fills a small portion of the concha. It provides adequate amplification for mild to moderate hearing losses. Depending on the size of the ear, it may or may not be able to accommodate some of the options available with advanced technology, or permit the venting needed for users with good low-frequency hearing. This style offers an attractive cosmetic solution with a slightly larger battery.
Completely-in-the-Canal (CIC) is the smallest hearing aid style available. This style fits deeply in the ear canal so is the least visible and suitable for mild to moderate hearing losses. Many users with good hearing for low-pitched sounds report a hollow quality from their own voice and chewing movements; this is because the ear canal is plugged. Due to size constraints and deep placement in the ear canal, this size is the most restricted in terms of providing options that are available in advanced technology, such as directional microphones, or volume and program button controls. This style has the shortest battery life due to small battery size. Users with dexterity problems and reduced fingertip sensitivity may find it difficult to insert and remove this style of aid and change the battery.
SoundHearing A Subsidiary of
Bellevue Ear, Nose & Throat Clinic
1135 116th Ave NE, Suite 165
Bellevue, WA 98004
Phone: 425-278-1805
Fax: 425-462-4506 Map and Directions
Behind-the-Ear (BTE) hearing aids hook over the top of the ear. Amplified sound is directed into the ear via a thin, clear plastic tube that is held in place by an earmold, which is custom-made to fit your ear.The BTE style is suitable for all types of hearing losses from mild to profound, and offers the maximum fitting flexibility.Many features, such as program push buttons and volume controls, are available. 
This style is exceptionally sturdy and reliable and less prone to damage from ear wax or moisture than the custom products. Battery life typically is longer because of the larger battery size. These aids can be connected to external sound sources, such as infrared listening systems and TVs.
Many manufacturers now offer open fitting BTE or receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) versions. Open-fit behind-the-ear products are smaller than standard-size BTE aids and available in a variety of colors and designs. They combine cosmetic appeal with improved acoustics, which come from leaving the ear 
canal open. This product is best suited for individuals with normal or near-normal low-frequency hearing and loss for the mid and/or higher pitches. The hollow voice perception is eliminated and sounds, including your own voice and chewing, are heard more naturally and comfortably than with a product that plugs the ear canal. 
In-the-Ear (ITE) hearing aids are custom-made to fill the concha (the bowl-like portion of your outer ear). This style is probably the most visible but offers the most power of the custom-made products; users up to a severe loss generally can be fit. 
This style is a good solution for users with dexterity issues, since the battery is larger, or for those who want all the options available in advanced technology. 
In-the-Canal (ITC) hearing aids are small enough to fit almost entirely in your ear canal. The style fills a small portion of the concha. It provides adequate amplification for mild to moderate hearing losses. 
Depending on the size of the ear, it may or may not be able to accommodate some of the options available with advanced technology, or permit the venting needed for users with good low-frequency hearing. This style offers an attractive cosmetic solution with a slightly larger battery. 
Completely-in-the-Canal (CIC) is the smallest hearing aid style available. This style fits deeply in the ear canal so is the least visible and suitable for mild to moderate hearing losses. Many users with good hearing for low-pitched sounds report a hollow quality from their own voice and chewing movements; this is because the ear canal is plugged. Due to size constraints and deep placement in the ear canal, this size is the most restricted in terms of providing options that 
are available in advanced technology, such as directional microphones, or volume and program button controls. This style has the shortest battery life due to small battery size. Users with dexterity problems and reduced fingertip sensitivity may find it difficult to insert and remove this style of aid and change the battery. 