In-the-ear hearing aids (ITE) are the most discreet hearing aid styles available. This discreet style has no external wires or tubes visible, as opposed to behind-the-ear hearing aids. ITE hearing aids are all custom-made, ensuring both a perfect fit and a discreet look.
When you select an in-the-ear hearing aid, the hearing care expert will need to take an impression or scan the inside of your ear, for a personalized fit.
Hearing aid types
Take 1 minute to find out what hearing aid model suits your preferences.
Based on your answers the following hearing aid type would suit your needs:
*The result of the quiz may only be used for guidance and is not meant to replace a more accurate measurement of your hearing abilities and needs by one of our hearing care experts.
Based on your answers the following hearing aid type would suit your needs:
*The result of the quiz may only be used for guidance and is not meant to replace a more accurate measurement of your hearing abilities and needs by one of our hearing care experts.
Based on your answers the following hearing aid types would suit your needs:
*The result of the quiz may only be used for guidance and is not meant to replace a more accurate measurement of your hearing abilities and needs by one of our hearing care experts.
Based on your answers the following hearing aid types would suit your needs:
*The result of the quiz may only be used for guidance and is not meant to replace a more accurate measurement of your hearing abilities and needs by one of our hearing care experts.
Based on your answers the following hearing aid type would suit your needs:
*The result of the quiz may only be used for guidance and is not meant to replace a more accurate measurement of your hearing abilities and needs by one of our hearing care experts.
Based on your answers the following hearing aid type would suit your needs:
*The result of the quiz may only be used for guidance and is not meant to replace a more accurate measurement of your hearing abilities and needs by one of our hearing care experts.
Based on your answers the following hearing aid types would suit your needs:
*The result of the quiz may only be used for guidance and is not meant to replace a more accurate measurement of your hearing abilities and needs by one of our hearing care experts.
Based on your answers the following hearing aid types would suit your needs:
*The result of the quiz may only be used for guidance and is not meant to replace a more accurate measurement of your hearing abilities and needs by one of our hearing care experts.
Take a look at how the five different ITE styles fit in the ear:
Invisible-in-the-canal hearing aids (IIC) are the smallest hearing aids available. These custom-made hearing aids fit fully inside your ear canal, making them almost, if not completely, invisible. Tiny cords are attached to the hearing aid so that you can remove them easily.
Completely-in-the-canal hearing aids (CIC) were the smallest hearing aids available before the IIC hearing aid was introduced. The CIC is still rather discreet, however, and the only visible part is typically the face plate and battery drawer.
ITC hearing aids sit in the lower third of your external ear and are custom-made to fit your ear canal shape.
Half shell in-the-ear hearing aids are designed to fit inside half of your external ear region. The shell of the hearing aid is made to fit the shape of your ear. Half shell in-the-ear hearing aids:
Full shell in-the-ear hearing aids are designed to fit the entire area of your external ear. These types of hearing aids are the largest of the custom models, due to the fact that they have larger amplifiers for providing greater sound amplification. The shell is custom-made to fit the shape of your ear.
One of the smallest invisible hearing aids available is the Oticon Opn invisible-in-the-canal (IIC) which is invisible in 8 out of 10 users¹, offering excellent sound quality without compromising on technology.
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Audio |
Visual |
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Music |
A woman holds a hearing aid in her hand |
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Music |
Meet Oticon OpnTM
She inserts it in her ear and touches her ear while looking at herself in the mirror |
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Music |
She puts on her coat and takes a last look into the mirror before leaving |
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Music Sounds of sirens and cars driving |
Zoom in on her ear and face.
The hearing aid with 360° sound Hear the sounds all around |
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Music |
Zoom out. She smiles and gets surrounded by her friends. She hugs them and smiles |
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Music
Sounds of glass cheering and people talking |
Zoom in. She smiles while listening to the different sounds |
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Music Sounds of cars |
Zoom in on drums. Zoom out: she talks with a friend and two men come over with drinks.
Clearly hear different people speaking Even with noisy environments |
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Music Sounds of seagulls |
She walks by a window and gazes at her reflection.
Custom-made to fit the ear comfortably. |
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Music Sounds of sailing boats and the sea |
She walks over to her friends and talks with them. |
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Music |
Open up to the world. With the new invisible* Oticon OpnTM
Small enough to hide in your ear.
Oticon logo |
In-the-ear hearing aids are ideal if a discreet style is of important to you. They are also a good introduction to hearing aids for first-time users, since they sit out of the way of sunglasses - and they won't fly off when taking off your sweater. Here are some pros and cons to wearing in-the-ear hearing aids:
| Pros | Cons |
| Very discreet Since these hearing aids sit inside your ear canal, they are considered to be the most discreet style available. |
Disposable batteries In-the-ear hearing aids are rarely available with rechargeable batteries. |
| Less likely to pick up wind noise Due to their placement in the ear canal, in-the-ear hearing aids are less likely to pick up wind noise. |
Most styles are not suitable for severe hearing loss These hearing aids are mostly suitable for people with mild to moderate hearing loss. |
| Comfortable with glasses They don’t get in the way of your glasses. |
Not suitable for all ear canal shapes Some ear canals may be too small to be fitted with certain in-the-ear hearing aids. |
Au.D., Doctor of Audiology
Lic. #364, Chief Audiologist, HearingLife
Dr. Leslie Soiles founded HearingLife’s Shrewsbury office, formerly known as New England Hearing Instruments. As a Doctor of Audiology, she spent the first half of her career working with Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) physicians.
Dr. Soiles now serves as Chief Audiologist for HearingLife. Click here to read her complete bio and learn more about her education and background.
