Types of Hearing Instruments

Body Worn Hearing Instruments

These were the first type of hearing instrument to be made. The microphone, battery and amplifier are in a case, which is worn in a pocket or harness. The receiver and earmould are worn in the ear and connected to the case with a cord. These aids are usually used for severe and profound hearing losses.

The advantages of these instruments are the ease of handling as the controls are larger and easier to see. Maximum power can also be achieved without acoustic feedback as the receiver and microphone are far apart. The disadvantages are the microphone is not at ear level making localisation of sound difficult and clothing noise can be a problem. The aids are also bulky and inconvenient and the cords get broken very easily.

Behind-The-Ear (BTE) Hearing Instruments

These have all the components enclosed in a small case that fits behind the ear. The sound is directed into the ear via a plastic tube and earmould. These hearing instruments can be used for all degrees of hearing losses.

The advantage of these instruments is that the ability to localise sound is preserved when the wearer has a hearing instrument in each ear. They are also much smaller than body worn instruments.

In-The-Ear (ITE) Hearing Instruments

These hearing instruments were developed in the 1970s. All the components are contained in a shell that is custom made to fit the wearer's ear. The instrument is worn entirely in the ear and there is no need for cords, tubes or earmoulds. Some people find them easier to handle than behind-the-ear instruments, as there is only one piece but the controls are much smaller.

Canal Hearing Instruments

Canal hearing instruments are similar to in-the-ear hearing instruments. The components are all enclosed in a custom made shell that fits into the canal portion of the ear. They are very easy to fit into the ear and once in position are concealed from view by the tragus of the outer ear.