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In-the-ear hearing aids (ITE) are devices with no external wires or tubes visible, as opposed to behind-the-ear hearing aids. ITE hearing aids are all custom-made, ensuring both a perfect fit and neat look.
When you select an in-the-ear hearing aid, the hearing care expert will need to take an impression or scan the inside of your ear, for a personalized fit.
Take a look at how the five different ITE styles fit in the ear:
Invisible-in-the-canal hearing aids (IIC) are the smallest hearing aids available. These custom-made hearing aids fit fully inside your ear canal, making them almost, if not completely, invisible. Tiny cords are attached to the hearing aid so that you can remove them easily.
Completely-in-the-canal hearing aids (CIC) were the smallest hearing aids available before the IIC hearing aid was introduced. The CIC is still discrete, however typically the face plate of the hearing aid can be visible at some angles.
ITC hearing aids sit in the lower third of your external ear and are custom-made to fit your ear canal shape.
Offer longer battery life than smaller styles
Option for wireless streaming/bluetooth in some models
Balance out background noise (via a directional microphone)
Half shell in-the-ear hearing aids are designed to fit inside half of the your external ear region. The shell of the hearing aid is made to fit the shape of your ear. Half shell in-the-ear hearing aids:
Full shell in-the-ear hearing aids are designed to fit the entire area of your external ear. These types of hearing aids are the largest of the custom models, due to the fact that they have larger amplifiers for providing greater sound amplification. The shell is custom-made to fit the shape of your ear.
In-the-ear hearing aids are ideal if a discreet style is of most importance to you. They are also a good introduction to hearing aids for first-time users, since they sit out of the way of sunglasses - and they won't fly off when taking off your sweater. Here are some pros to wearing in-the-ear hearing aids:
Very discreet
Since these hearing aids sit inside your ear canal, they are considered to be the most discreet style available.
Less likely to pick up wind noise
Due to their placement in the ear canal, in-the-ear hearing aids are less likely to pick up wind noise.
Comfortable with glasses
They don’t get in the way of your glasses.
Your degree of hearing loss will influence whether behind-the-ear or in-the-ear hearing aids are a better fit for you. The anatomy of your ear canal and style preferences will also be factors that affect which hearing aid type will best suit your needs. If you Book a FREE* hearing check a clinician can help you understand which type of hearing aid might best suit your needs.
When cleaning an ITE hearing aid, follow these steps:
1. Focus your cleaning on the openings in the device including the microphone ports using a soft-bristle toothbrush or a brush provided by your hearing healthcare professional to clear away built up wax. Hold the device with the opening you are cleaning facing downward so any loose particles will fall out of the hearing aid instead of staying lodged inside.
2. Using a soft-bristle toothbrush or other small brush, focus on cleaning any openings in the device (including the microphone ports). This will clear away any build-up wax. As you clean, hold any openings on the device downwards to that any loose particles fall out of the hearing aid.
3. Next, use a wax pick or hook to clear anything out of the holes that didn’t come out with the brush.
4. Finish by wiping the entire device with a clean, dry cloth or tissue. This will remove debris from the surface of the hearing aid.
View instructional videos on how to clean your in-the-ear hearing aids.
Yes, the following in-the-ear hearing aids have Bluetooth ® connectivity capabilities: in-the-canal, half-shell and full-shell models. Discuss with your hearing care expert which models are suitable for your hearing and communication needs.
^Applies to Demant hearing devices only (Oticon, Bernafon & Sonic brands, excludes accessories.
