Fareham Hearing Centre

Choosing Your Hearing Aid

Choosing the right hearing instruments comes down to a number of factors: your hearing loss, the features and look you prefer and your lifestyle.

The different types of hearing aid fitting are described below.  To help you determine which type of hearing instrument is best for you, your hearing healthcare professional will walk you through a number of considerations, including:

Degree of hearing loss: We will source the best cosmetic solution for your degree of loss that will also take future deterioration into account.

Ear anatomy: Ear canals vary in size. Digital imaging is used to create your perfect fit.

Lifestyle: Everyone’s lifestyle is different. Listening environments personal to you will help dictate the best hearing instrument to meet your needs

Manual dexterity: Once you decide on the correct size of hearing aid for you, our audiologist will spend the time ensuring you can comfortably fit and maintain it yourself.

Design preference: Choose from a wide variety of styles, colours and sizes

Budget: We will source the best possible technology for your budget from all manufacturers. Our aftercare is just as thorough whether you choose entry level or top of the range.

Invisible in the Canal
(IIC)

Appropriate for mild to severe hearing loss. Extremely discreet and near enough invisible hearing aid. This aid fits deep into the ear canal and closer to the ear drum. 

The fit is subject to the size of the person’s ear canal.

Completely in the Canal
(CIC)

Appropriate for mild to severe hearing loss.

This is a small, very discreet hearing aid.

In the Canal
(ITC)

Suitable for mild to severe hearing loss. This hearing aid is typically customised to fit. 

It is very small and discreet.

In the Ear
(ITE)

Works well for people with mild to severe hearing loss. 

Fits completely inside the ear opening, therefore it is the most visible of styles.  Because of its size the battery lasts longer and can accommodate directional microphones and other additional features. 

Ideal for people with handling and dexterity issues.

Receiver in the Canal
(RIC)

Suitable for those with a mild to severe hearing loss. This hearing aid is similar in mechanics to the Behind the Ear, but is far smaller and more discreet. 

A very popular choice as the fitting does not block the ear and as such provides a more natural sound.

Behind the Ear
(BTE)

 This type of hearing aid can help people with all types of hearing loss – from mild to profound. 

The hearing aid sits behind the ear and connects to an acrylic ear mould which sits inside the ear

Find out more about the range of hearing aids we offer at Fareham Hearing Centre >>