If you have ever visited an audiologist, you have probably noticed that they often use a range of abbreviations and technical terms. These abbreviations can be confusing, especially if you are new to the world of hearing aids. In this blog, we’ll explain some of the most common abbreviations that hearing care professionals use so you can better understand what they’re talking about.
BTE: Behind The Ear
BTE stands for “Behind The Ear.” This type of hearing aid is worn behind the ear and is connected to an earpiece that fits into the ear canal. BTE hearing aids are popular because of their ability to treat both mild and severe hearing loss and their long battery life.
IHO: In The Ear
ITE stands for “In The Ear.” These hearing aids are worn completely inside the auricle and ear canal. They are more discreet than BTE hearing aids, but usually have a shorter battery life. ITE hearing aids are suitable for people with mild to moderate hearing loss.
RITE: Speaker In The Ear
RITE, or “Speaker In The Ear,” is a type of hearing aid in which the speaker is located in the ear canal while the rest of the hearing aid is behind the ear. This arrangement can provide a more natural sound and less feedback. Another term for RITE is RIC.
RIC: Receiver In Canal
RIC stands for “Receiver In Canal,” which is actually the same as RITE. In a RIC hearing aid, the speaker (or “receiver”) is in the ear canal, while the amplifier and other components are behind the ear. These hearing aids offer excellent sound quality and are less susceptible to feedback.
BTE: Behind The Ear
BTE stands for “Behind The Ear” and is the English term for BTE. BTE hearing aids are suitable for almost all forms of hearing loss and are worn behind the ear with an earmold that fits into the ear canal.
CIC: Completely In Canal
CIC stands for “Completely In Canal.” These hearing aids are very small and fit completely inside the ear canal, making them almost invisible. CIC hearing aids are suitable for people with mild to moderate hearing loss, but their small size means they often have shorter battery life and offer fewer features.
ITC: In The Canal
ITC stands for “In The Canal.” These hearing aids are slightly larger than CIC hearing aids and fit partially in the ear canal. They are less visible than ITE hearing aids and offer more features than CIC hearing aids.
HS: Half Shell
HS stands for “Half Shell” and refers to hearing aids that fill part of the auricle. They are larger than ITC hearing aids, but often offer more features and longer battery life.
FS: Full Shell
FS stands for “Full Shell” and refers to hearing aids that fill the entire auricle. These hearing aids are larger and more visible, but offer long battery life and are suitable for more severe hearing loss.
Why these abbreviations are important
Understanding these abbreviations can help you make an informed decision when choosing a hearing aid. Each type of hearing aid has its own advantages and disadvantages, depending on your specific needs and preferences. Your hearing care professional can help you choose the right type of hearing aid based on your hearing loss, lifestyle and aesthetic preferences.
By the way, our Audiologists do not speak in code language or abbreviations. These are just easy to understand. ;-).
Do you have questions about which type of hearing aid is best for you? Then contact us, we will be happy to help you!
