Types of Hearing Aids

	Behind-The-Ear (BTE) This type of hearing aid fits behind the ear and is connected to a soft, plastic earmold that fits inside the ear. The microphone is located on the top of the hearing aid. The battery, amplifier and receiver are all inside the case that fits behind the ear. The earmold is custom made to fit the user's ear. Because it must fit the ear exactly, the audiologist will take an impression using a silicone-type mixture. The earmold and the hearing aid work together, so it is important that the mold fits appropriately.
	In-The-Ear (ITE) This type of hearing aid fits completely in the outer ear. The hearing aid case is custom made out of a hard plastic material. The case houses all of the miniaturized parts. These hearing aids are compact and less obvious than the BTE, but their small controls are hard for some people to see and handle.
	In-The-Canal (ITC) This type of hearing aid is similar to an ITE except that it is smaller and fits mainly in the ear canal. ITC hearing aids are not suitable for all hearing losses, are more expensive and have tiny controls.
	Completely-In-The-Canal (CIC) An even smaller hearing aid that fits entirely in the ear canal. Again CIC hearing aids may not be suitable for all hearing losses, are expensive and have tiny controls. These hearing aids are generally not appropriate for young children.
	Bone Conduction Bone conduction hearing aids are useful for people with conductive hearing losses who are unable to wear an earmold because of an absent or unusually formed external ear, or because of chronic middle ear problems. This type of hearing aid may be one of two types: a body worn or an ear level style, each with a bone-- conduction receiver. The bone conduction receiver is fastened to a headband which holds it securely to the head