Close-up of an audiologist's hand fitting a behind-the-ear hearing aid on a smiling patient.

Hearing Aids

When you picture hearing aids, you might envision a large and clunky device. But modern hearing aids have evolved. They’re now available in a variety of styles and sizes and can also be customized for different listening environments. Hearing loss can’t be solved with a one-size-fits-all solution, and our team at AVI New England will connect you with the device that will work best for your unique needs and lifestyle.

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Four pairs of modern beige and silver hearing aids, including behind-the-ear and in-the-ear styles, arranged in a row on a white background.

Hearing Aid Styles

Modern hearing aids are available in a variety of wearing styles, from models that sit comfortably behind the ear to customized aids that fit the ear perfectly. Which style is best for you depends on many factors including your lifestyle, degree of hearing loss, among other considerations. During your hearing evaluation, our Audiologist will help you determine the best wearing style for you. Read on to learn about the most popular wearing styles available from the leading hearing aid manufacturers.

Receiver in Canal (RIC)

Receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aids look like BTE hearing aids; the difference is that the receiver is worn in the canal. RIC hearing aids are discreet and treat a wide range of degrees of hearing loss. Like BTE ones, they may pose a challenge for those who wear glasses due to their placement.

Behind-the-Ear (BTE)

Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids are worn on the back of the ear with a plastic tube that delivers sound to a custom ear mold. BTE hearing aids are easier to control and treat a wide range of degrees of hearing loss. They may be inconvenient for people who wear glasses, but the placement of their controls will be easy for people who have dexterity issues.

Completely in Canal (CIC)

Completely-In-Canal hearing aids are similar to IIC in that they are custom made and fit inside your ear canal. Only a very small “tip” of the hearing aid or a small clear plastic “handle” will show with CIC hearing aids. Most people who choose CIC hearing aids report that people typically do not know they are wearing hearing aids. CIC hearing aids are also most suitable for those with mild to moderate hearing loss.

In the Ear (ITE)

In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids are worn inside the ear, with the shell of the hearing aid at the surface of the ear. The options are full shell or half shell. ITE hearing aids house all of their components in a plastic shell. While these hearing aids benefit people who wear glasses or experience arthritis, they may not be convenient for those who have dexterity issues due to their small controls.

In the Canal (ITC)

In-the-canal (ITC) hearing aids are a form of in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids, which are worn deep inside the ear canal. These are usually custom made devices made to fit inside your canal, which gives them the benefit of being visually discreet. ITC hearing aids may be difficult for people with dexterity issues to control, while the lack of a directional microphone means they are better suited for people with moderate levels of hearing loss. They come in completely-in-canal and invisible-in-canal styles.

Invisible in Canal (IIC)

Although all modern hearing aids are small and discreet, IIC hearing aids are by far the least detectable. These hearing aids are custom made to fit your ear’s anatomy and fit further into the ear canal than other hearing aid style – thus causing them to become completely invisible. These hearing aids are suitable for those with mild to moderate hearing loss.

Hearing Aid Brands

Read on to learn about the most popular hearing aid brands available from the leading hearing aid manufacturers. Which brand is best for you is largely based on your unique needs and hearing loss. We'll work with you to find the best brand and model to best fit your lifestyle, budget and hearing loss.

Oticon is a Danish company founded in 1904 by Hans Demant to help his wife with her hearing loss. It is known for its BrainHearing philosophy, which supports the way the brain makes sense of sound.

Phonak is a Swiss brand that has been building hearing solutions since the 1940s. It is widely recognized for its wireless microphone systems, its strength in pediatric hearing care, and AI technology that separates speech from background noise.

ReSound is a Danish brand with a long history of firsts in wireless hearing, including the first Made for iPhone hearing aid. Its “organic hearing” philosophy aims to keep sound natural and true to life.

Jabra is a Danish brand best known for headsets, earbuds, and professional communication gear. It shares a parent company with ReSound, giving it deep roots in sound technology, and it brings that know-how to hearing support for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss.

Signia carries the engineering legacy of Siemens Audiology. It is known for Own Voice Processing, technology built for group conversations, and stylish, discreet designs.

Starkey is an American company based in Minnesota and the largest privately owned hearing aid manufacturer in the United States. It is known for hearing aids that double as health devices, with sensors that track activity and detect falls.

The Latest Hearing Aids

Read on to learn about the latest hearing aid models offered by the leading manufacturers. Contact our practice to schedule a hearing aid evaluation with our audiologists.

Phonak EON delivers proven Sphere speech-in-noise performance in a hearing aid that is 25% smaller, 20% lighter, and Auracast-ready.

Hearing Aids