In short
Hearing aids come in two families: those worn behind the ear (RIC and BTE) and custom in-the-ear styles (ITE, ITC, CIC and IIC). Receiver-in-canal is the most popular style in the UK because it balances discretion, power, rechargeability and Bluetooth. The smaller a device gets, the more discreet it is, but the fewer features it can hold and the more dexterity it needs. Your hearing test result, your ear canal shape and how you live decide the right one, and we'll talk it through with you, free.
At a glance
Compare the six styles
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How we help you choose
Five things that decide the right style
Your hearing test
The degree and shape of your hearing loss rules some styles in and others out. Severe or profound losses need the power of a BTE or RIC.
Dexterity
Arthritis or reduced feeling in your fingers? A rechargeable RIC or BTE is far easier to handle than a pea-sized IIC with a tiny battery.
Your lifestyle
Busy restaurants, meetings and family gatherings need directional microphones and noise reduction. Quiet evenings at home need less.
Your ear canal
Not every ear can take a CIC or IIC. We look inside and, for custom styles, take an impression so the shell fits you exactly.
Features you'll use
Bluetooth streaming, rechargeable batteries and app control live mostly in RIC, BTE and larger ITE styles. Decide what matters before choosing size.
Worth knowing: the style you choose matters less than the technology level inside it. A premium RIC and a basic RIC look identical from the outside; the difference is how well they handle speech in noise. We'll always show you both and explain the difference before you decide.
Hearing aid styles FAQ
Common questions
Which hearing aid style is the most popular in the UK?
Receiver-in-canal (RIC). It is discreet, covers mild to severe hearing loss, and is where rechargeable batteries and Bluetooth streaming are most widely available.
Are invisible hearing aids suitable for everyone?
No. Invisible-in-canal and completely-in-canal styles suit mild to moderate hearing loss, need a suitably shaped ear canal, and rarely offer rechargeable or Bluetooth options. We check your ears before recommending one.
Do all hearing aid styles come rechargeable?
Most RIC, BTE and full-shell ITE models do. Rechargeable options in ITC are growing, but CIC and IIC devices almost always use small disposable batteries because of their size.
Which style is best if I have arthritis or poor dexterity?
A rechargeable RIC or BTE. There are no tiny batteries to change, the controls are larger, and the device simply drops into a charger overnight.
Can I stream my phone and TV to any style?
Bluetooth is standard on RIC and BTE, common on full-shell ITE, available on some ITC models, and rare on CIC and IIC. If streaming matters to you, tell us and we will steer you to the right size.
How do I know which style is right for me?
Book a free consultation at our Clevedon clinic. We test your hearing, look in your ears, talk about how you live, and show you real devices so you can see and feel the difference before you decide.
See and try the styles in person
A free consultation at our Clevedon clinic. We'll show you real devices, check your ears and talk through which styles would suit you.