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 Open fit hearing aids use a tiny casing and a nearly invisible slim tube. Open fitting offers a cosmetically appealing option without that plugged up feeling. They are lightweight with a transparent earbud which replaces the need for a custom earmold.
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 Behind-the-Ear (BTE) hearing aids have the most circuit options and typically have more power than any of the custom made in-the-ear aids. BTEs "sit" on the back of your ear. They are connected to custom-made earmolds. These aids can now be fitted with an invisible slim tube instead of the plastic tubing. |
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 Completely-In-the-Canal (CIC) hearing aids are one of the more cosmetically appealing custom made aids. They usually require a "removal string" due to their small size and their deep fit into the ear canal. CICs do not usually have manual controls because they are too small. CIC hearing aids have the shortest battery life.
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 Receiver-in-Canal (RIC) hearing aids use a tiny casing and nearly invisible slim tube similar to the Open Fit style. They are lightweight and the receiver fits in the canal portion of the earbud with a connecting wire running through the tube into the hearing aid.
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In-the-Canal (ITC) hearing aids are slightly more visible than ITEs. They require good dexterity to control the volume wheels and other controls on the faceplate.
In-the-Ear (ITE) hearing aids are more visible and the easiest to handle of the custom made aids. They have a longer battery life than completely-in-the-canal aids.