Thanks to advances in technology, hearing aids are now more powerful than ever. It's those same advances that have also resulted in multiple types making their way onto the market. If you're exploring your options and you want to learn more about what you can try, it's worth understanding what each type of hearing aid does.

Behind the ear hearing aids

As one of the most popular types of hearing aid, behind-the-ear devices feature a tube that tucks neatly behind your ear and a hearing piece that slots into it. A small wire runs through to the earpiece that sits inside your ear, which then transmits sound in a speaker-like fashion. This type of device is suitable for mild to moderate hearing loss.

In-the-ear aids

In-the-ear (ITE) devices don't feature an outer component. Instead, everything rests in a small piece of equipment that you can neatly slot into your ear. This means they're often quite discrete, which you may prefer if you're looking for a device that isn't too obvious. However, it is possible to see ITE hearing aids from the side. It's usually the case that these devices come with small controls, so you may find them a little fiddly. However, a few brands now come with remotes too, making them easier to use.

Aids that sit inside the ear canal

In-the-canal (ITC) hearing aids rest right inside the ear canal. Because of this, they're difficult for other people to see, even when they're looking at you from the side. Although ITC devices are small and difficult to see, they're not likely to be suitable if you're prone to recurrent ear infections. As with ITE devices, it's sometimes necessary for users to require a remote to operate them. 

Invisible devices

If you're hearing loss ranges from mild to moderate and you're happy to carry a device inside your ear canal for months at a time, you can try an invisible device. As they remain in the ear canal of each user for a long time, these devices are only available when an audiologist fits one. Once it's in place, you can forget that it's there until your audiologist needs to perform their routine checks to make sure everything is okay. 

The type of hearing aid you can use will depend on the severity of your hearing loss, your preferences and how easy it is for you to use the device. By having an in-depth discussion with your audiologist, you can identify the right fitting for you.