Hearing aid styles

There are now more styles and sizes of hearing aids than ever before.

Modern hearing aids are small, discreet and stylish.

Technology is always moving forward and we always fit the latest technology available. Being independent, we are able to select from all the different hearing aid manufacturers’ hearing aids to get the right solution for your needs.

Hearing aid styles

There are now more styles and sizes of hearing aids than ever before.

Modern hearing aids are small, discreet and stylish.

Technology is always moving forward and we always fit the latest technology available. Being independent, we are able to select from all the different hearing aid manufacturers’ hearing aids to get the right solution for your needs.

What kind of hearing aid is right for me?

The best hearing aid for you will depend on your hearing loss, lifestyle and budget, which we will discuss during the consultation process.

Types of hearing aid

Invisible-in-canal (IIC)
These are the most discreet hearing aids available. They are custom made to fit the exact size and shape of your ear canals to ensure they are comfortable, and fit deep enough to completely disappear from view. Nobody but you will know they are there.

They are easy to insert and remove, and one of the advantages of IIC instruments is reduced wind noise due to the deep microphone placement.

They do however have a limited fitting range and are only suitable for mild to moderate hearing losses.

Completely-in-canal (CIC)
These are also custom made and fit right inside the ear canal to be virtually invisible. They can incorporate wireless technology for improved performance and a better listening experience with TVs, radios, music, mobile and landline phones.

Modern feedback management systems mean that even severe hearing losses can be fitted with CIC hearing aids, making them suitable for most people.

In-the-ear (ITE)
These are custom made to fit the shape and size of your ear canals and fit securely in the outer ear. They are unobtrusive and have optional user controls as well as directional microphones to help in noisy environments.

They incorporate wireless technology and have a larger, longer lasting battery than CICs and IICs making them easier to handle.

They are suitable for most hearing losses and are easy to handle.

Rechargeable options are available.

Receiver-in-canal (RIC)
Although these are fitted over the ear, they can be extremely small and can offer a discreet solution. They can be less noticeable than ITEs and even CICs. They come in a variety of colours to match hair tone or style preference. The microphones and sound processor are housed in a casing that fits behind the ear, which delivers the sound down a very thin clear wire to a receiver or speaker that sits inside the ear canal. They can also incorporate wireless technology.

The receiver in the ear can be housed by an ‘open’ dome which allows normal low frequency sound into the ear and makes your own voice sound more natural.

These are suitable for mild to severe hearing losses but are particularly suited to high frequency losses.

Rechargeable options are available.

Behind-the-ear
These can be fitted with a custom made ear mould or a slim tube with disposable tips depending on the hearing loss. They are the most powerful hearing aids available making them suitable for mild to profound hearing losses. They also have the most options for user controls and are compatible with accessories such as FM systems. They are also wireless.

They are easy to handle and have larger batteries which last longer.

Rechargeable options are available.

Spectacle worn hearing aids
These can be ideal for conductive hearing losses. The hearing aids are incorporated into the arms of the glasses and they vibrate sound by bone conduction directly into the cochlear. We can also fit air conduction hearing aids to spectacles which deliver the sound to the ear via either a thin tube or wire from the arm of the glasses going into the ear canal. There are advantages and disadvantages to this style of hearing aid.

Accessories & Bluetooth

With the development of Bluetooth technology, there are now better accessories than ever before. TV streamers can turn your hearing aids into a pair of wireless headphones for listening to the TV, whilst still being able to hear friends and family you’re sat with, and leaving their TV volume unaffected.
Remote microphones can be used in difficult or noisy situations to be able to hear one to one or group conversations more easily.

Most modern hearing aids can be paired with smartphones by Bluetooth to receive phone calls, video calls, listen to music or watch videos. They can also be controlled by using a specific app for adjusting the hearing aids’ volume, program settings and some of the features. Some apps can offer remote fine-tuning adjustments if you’re unable to attend an appointment in clinic.

We will help you set up your phone with the hearing aids and guide you through how to use the apps and their various features.

If app controls seem too complex, there are standard hand-held remote-control options available.

How much do hearing aids cost?

Hearing aid prices

Our hearing aids do not vary in price according to size or style, but rather the technology inside and the features they can offer.

The more expensive a hearing aid is:

  • The better the sound quality will be
  • The greater the ability to improve your speech understanding in difficult listening situations and when background noise is present.
  • The more features are available to help with situations such as wind noise, music, sudden noises etc.

Selecting the right hearing aids for your loss, lifestyle and budget is the most important part of the process. This is where our knowledge and expertise is of paramount importance to our clients. We have categorised our hearing aids by technology, but if you have a specific make and model in mind that you’d like a quote for, please don’t hesitate to ask.

The very latest ranges of hearing aids, in all price levels from value to premium, can offer options such as:

  • Rechargeable batteries (ITC & ITE, RIC, BTE styles).
  • Direct wireless connectivity to both Apple and Android devices.
  • Remote adjustments sent direct to the hearing aids so you don’t have to attend a clinic appointment.
  • Wireless accessories such as TV streamers and remote microphones.

Premium: from £1,995

These hearing aids have the most advanced features available to offer the best possible solution in difficult listening situations and provide the clearest sound quality. They provide optimum speech understanding and background noise reduction and automatically adapt to the sound environment. They are the most flexible and individually tailored hearing aids available and offer the best results possible.

Advanced: from £1,795

These hearing aids can perform very well in most listening situations and can offer good speech understanding and reduction of background noise. They have advanced features and are individually tailored to your requirements. They also automatically adjust to the sound environment and provide excellent results to improve your hearing.

Performance: from £1,595

These hearing aids perform well in many listening situations and reduce general background noise, but cannot provide the same level of speech understanding in noise as advanced or premium instruments can. They provide a good level of sound quality and automatically adjust to the sound environment.

Essential: from £1,295

These hearing aids have fewer features available but perform well in certain situations and will enhance your hearing ability. Whilst they cannot provide the same level of improvement in difficult listening situations as the more advanced options, they do feature noise reduction technology and automatically adjust to the sound environment.

Value: from £895

These hearing aids have the fewest features available but they still help to improve your hearing ability. They are simple, reliable and affordable and can offer some help with background noise.

Ready to take the next step towards better hearing? Get in touch on 0800 633 5939