Table II.

Hearing Aids: devices worn inside or outside the ear that electroacoustically modify and amplify sound for the hearing impaired. They are available in different styles and sizes depending on hearing loss severity and patient preference.

Type	Description	Pros	Cons	Appropriate for
Lyric™	Fits completely inside the ear canal and is inserted by a hearing professional	-Completely invisible -Continuous wear for months at a time for most daily activities -No need for daily insertion or removal of the device -No need for repairs or battery replacements -Allows for a more natural sound quality due to deep ear canal insertion -Easy phone use	-Some activities are limited such as swimming and wearing earbuds -Not MRI compatible -Costly -Doesn’t accommodate atypical ear canal size/shape -Device is replaced in the clinic every few months	Adults with mild to moderately-severe hearing loss
Invisible in-the-canal (IIC)	Fits completely in the canal	-Discreet, invisible in most ears -Allows for a more natural sound quality due to deep ear canal insertion -Easy phone use	-Doesn’t accommodate atypical ear canal size/shape -Prone to repairs due to position is ear canal (e.g., moisture and cerumen) -Can be difficult to insert and remove due to small size	Older teens and adults with mild to moderate hearing loss
Completely-in-the-canal (CIC)	Fits inside the ear canal, not as deeply as the IIC.	-Small, discreet -Easy phone use	-Doesn’t accommodate atypical ear canal size/shape -Shorter battery life by days to weeks -no extra features* -Can be difficult to insert and remove due to small size -Prone to repairs due to position is ear canal (e.g., moisture and cerumen)	Older teens and adults with mild to moderate hearing loss
In-the-canal (ITC)	A little larger than the CIC style, fitting partially in the ear canal but not as deeply as the CIC	-Small, less noticeable -Easy phone use	-May not accommodate smaller ear canals -Limited extra features* -Can be difficult to insert and remove due to small size	Older teens and adults with mild to moderate hearing loss
In-the-ear (ITE)	The largest of the ITC/ITE hearing aids, the full-shell style fills the bowl area of the outer ear	-Extra features available* -Easy phone use	-More visible than the smaller CIC/ITC models -Can be difficult to insert and remove due to smaller size	Older teens and adults with mild to severe hearing loss
Behind-the-ear (BTE)	The largest of the hearing aid models. The hearing aid fits behind the ear and is coupled to a custom made earmold that is placed in the ear	-Available in many different colors and sizes -Offers various extra features and options* -Easier to insert and remove -Longer battery life by days to weeks	-Largest, most noticeable hearing aid -Phone use can be challenging as the microphone is located on top of the ear outside the ear canal	All ages and almost all types and severity of hearing loss
Mini or open-fit BTE	Typically a smaller BTE, although some larger BTEs can be modified to accommodate an open-fit style. The open-fit BTE is coupled to a slim tube and small dome that sits in the ear canal.	-Less visible than traditional BTE model -Ear canal is open allowing for natural low to mid frequency hearing to flow through -Open-fit BTE models are designed to specifically amplify only high-frequency sounds -Available in many different colors and sizes -Extra features and options dependent upon size and style*	-Some may use smaller batteries, which results in lower battery life -Phone use can be challenging as the microphone is located on top of the ear outside the ear canal	Older children, teens and adults with mild to moderate hearing loss
Receiver-in-canal (RIC)	The smallest BTE available. The RIC consists of a tiny BTE hearing aid coupled to a wire with a small dome covering the receiver that sits in the ear canal.	-Less visible than traditional BTE model -Can accommodate open fit dome (good option for those with high-frequency hearing loss) or custom earmold -Available in many different colors -Extra features and options dependent upon size and style*	-Some may use smaller batteries, lower battery life -Phone use can be challenging as the microphone is located on top of the ear outside the ear canal -Prone to repairs as the receiver sits in the ear canal	Teens and adults with mild to moderate hearing loss

^*Extra features such as a telecoil, wireless connectivity, FM compatibility, and water resistance vary depending on the style of hearing aid. These extra features are typically unavailable in the smaller, more discreet hearing aid styles due to small size.