2. Hearing Aid Styles
With so many different types of hearing aids, it can be easy to confuse which type is best for you.
To determine what kind of hearing aid is best for you, please visit an Audiologist.
There are three basic styles of hearing aids. The styles differ by size, their placement on or inside the ear,
and the degree to which they amplify sound.
CIC (Completely in the Canal)
This is the smallest type of hearing aid made and
is almost invisible in the ear. All the components
are housed in a small case that fits far into the ear
canal. This takes advantage of the ear's own
natural sound-collecting design and offers
convenient telephone usage.
CICs are custom made for each ear; however,
these hearing aids are restricted to persons with
ear canals large enough to accommodate the
insertion depth of the instrument into the ear.
Also, the CIC style uses a very small battery that
requires good manual dexterity. This type of
hearing aid is not suitable for persons with severe
hearing losses.

3. ITC (In the Canal)
A little bigger than the
CIC, the ITC hearing aids
also fit far into the ear
canal. Canal hearing aids
use a slightly larger
battery than the CIC
style. This style is used
for mild to moderate
hearing losses.

4. ITE (In the Ear)
These hearing aids can be
used for a wider range of
hearing losses. Due to
their larger size, ITEs can
accommodate larger sound
amplifiers and more
features such as a
telephone switch. They are
also easier to handle, with
easy-to-use controls
that are ideal for those
with limited manual
dexterity.

5. BTE (Behind the Ear)
In BTE hearing aids, the electronics
are housed in a case that fits behind
the ear. Tubing and a custom made
earmold direct the sound to the ear
canal. Due to its robust design, this
style is especially recommended for
children. BTE hearing aids can
provide more amplification than
smaller devices due to the stronger
amplifier and the larger battery. This
style is available in several colors for
hair and skin tone matching.

6. Open Ear Or Receiver In The Canal
Dual: Great sound never looked so good
Dual gives people a full inventory of high-end
audiological benefits in a small stylish design.
It's small, sleek style is just what people want
to wear - and particularly helps new users
overcome resistance to using amplification.
The breakthrough performance exceeds the
expectations of experienced users and gives
them the performance they need in a design
they want.
The perfect combination of appealing design
and best performance
Fantastic sound quality with Spatial Sound
and wireless connectivity
The perfect tool for reaching both new and
experienced users
With Dual, your patients no longer have to
choose between performance and size. With
its appealing design and impressive, near
natural sound quality, Dual combines the best
of two worlds.

7. Do all hearing aids work the same way?
Hearing aids work differently depending on the electronics used. The main type of
electronic used today is digital.
Digital aids convert sound waves into numerical codes, similar to the binary code
of a computer, before amplifying them. Because the code also includes
information about a sound’s pitch or loudness, the aid can be specially
programmed to amplify some frequencies more than others. Digital circuitry gives
an audiologist more flexibility in adjusting the aid to a user’s needs and to
certain listening environments. These aids also can be programmed to focus on
sounds coming from a specific direction. Digital circuitry can be used in all types
of hearing aids.

8. Which hearing aid will work best for me?
The hearing aid that will work best for you depends on the kind and severity of your hearing loss.
If you have a hearing loss in both of your ears, two hearing aids are generally recommended because
two aids provide a more natural signal to the brain. Hearing in both ears also will help you understand
speech and locate where the sound is coming from.
•You and your audiologist should select a hearing aid that best suits your needs and lifestyle.
•Price is also a key consideration because hearing aids range from hundreds to several thousand dollars
Similar to other equipment purchases, style and features affect cost. However, don’t use price alone to
determine the best hearing aid for you. Just because one hearing aid is more expensive
than another does not necessarily mean that it will better suit your needs.
•A hearing aid will not restore your normal hearing. With practice, however, a hearing aid will increase
your awareness of sounds and their sources. You will want to wear your hearing aid regularly,
so select one that is convenient and easy for you to use.
• Other features to consider include parts or services covered by the warranty, estimated schedule
and costs for maintenance and repair, options and upgrade opportunities, and the hearing aid
company’s reputation for quality and customer service.

9. What questions should I ask before buying a hearing aid?
Before you buy a hearing aid, ask your audiologist these important questions:
•What features would be most useful to me?
•What is the total cost of the hearing aid? Do the benefits of newer technologies outweigh the higher
costs?
•Is there a trial period to test the hearing aids? (Most manufacturers allow a 30-day trial period during
which aids can be returned for a refund.) What fees are non refundable if the aids are returned after the
trial period?
•How long is the warranty? Can it be extended? Does the warranty cover future maintenance and repairs?
•Can the audiologist make adjustments and provide servicing and minor repairs? Will loaner aids be
provided when repairs are needed?
•What instruction does the audiologist provide?

10. Audiologists
•Master’s or Doctoral degree in Audiology - It is now law that all Audiologists have to have
a Doctoral of Audiology degree. Those in the field that only have a Masters where
grandfathered in when the requirements in the educations requirements where changed to
require the doctoral degree. However, most that only had the Masters degree have or are
going back for their doctoral degree.
•Minimum of 350 hours of patient care hours obtained in an accredited college or university,
in a cooperating program of an accredited college or university, or in another program
approved by the board.
•He/she submits to the board evidence that he has passed the examination for licensure to
practice
Hearing Aid Dealers
•18 yrs old
•good moral character
•free of contagious or infectious disease
•High School diploma or equivalent education (GED)
•Pass qualifying examination specified and administered by board which “…shall
be a thorough testing of knowledge required for the proper selecting, fitting and
sale of hearing aids, but shall not be such that a medical or surgical education is
required for successful completion.

11. •Hearing Aid Dealers are limited to testing hearing solely for the purposes
of fitting hearing aids.
•Unlike Audiologists, they may not engage in, nor are they trained to
complete diagnostic hearing or balance examinations nor participate in the
assessment of patients with tinnitus.
•Audiologists are uniquely qualified and trained to identify a wide variety
of pathology and underlying medical conditions of the hearing and balance
systems and to refer these cases for appropriate medical or surgical
treatment.
• Many of the Audiologist also specialize in the field of dizziness and
balance disorders in which a dealer has no training in this area.