Which Hearing Aid Style Is Right for You? A Guide from Altrincham Hearing Centre

Styles that sit inside the ear

These are custom-made from impressions of your own ears, so they fit securely and comfortably.

Invisible In Canal (IIC). Our smallest hearing aids sit deep in the ear canal, so they're virtually undetectable when worn. They suit people who want the most discreet option, provided their ear canal shape and level of hearing loss are a good match.

Completely In Canal (CIC). Slightly larger than IIC aids, CIC aids sit at the entrance of the ear canal and remain very discreet. Because your outer ear still collects sound naturally, they can help with telling where sounds are coming from. Many models can be adjusted from your smartphone.

In The Canal (ITC). These sit in the lower part of the ear canal entrance. They're a little more visible than CIC aids, but easier to handle and able to provide more power, which helps if you have reduced dexterity or a greater degree of hearing loss.

In The Ear (ITE), or full shell. The largest custom style fills the bowl of the outer ear. The extra space allows for more power, dual microphones and, on many models, Bluetooth streaming. Their size also makes them easier to handle day to day.

Styles that sit behind the ear

Receiver In Canal (RIC). This is one of the most popular styles today. A small case sits behind the ear and a thin wire carries sound to a tiny speaker in the ear canal. RIC aids are lightweight and discreet, suit a wide range of hearing losses, and most models offer Bluetooth streaming for phone calls, music and TV. Rechargeable versions are increasingly popular.

Behind The Ear (BTE). The main body sits behind the ear and connects by a small tube to a custom ear mould. BTE aids are the most versatile style and can provide powerful amplification, which makes them well suited to more severe hearing loss. Their larger size also makes them easy to clean and handle.

How we help you choose

There's no single "best" hearing aid. The right style for you depends on several things, and we'll talk each one through with you:

• Your hearing. Your assessment results tell us how much power you need. Some of the smallest styles aren't suitable for more significant hearing loss.
• The shape of your ears. Ear canals vary in size and shape, which affects which custom styles will fit comfortably.
• Handling and dexterity. If small parts or tiny batteries are fiddly for you, a larger style or a rechargeable model may be easier.
• How you live day to day. Do you spend a lot of time on the phone, enjoy music or podcasts, or want to stream the TV? We'll look for features that fit your routine.
• Appearance. If discretion matters to you, we'll show you the most discreet options that will still meet your needs.

You're welcome to bring a family member or friend along, as a second opinion often helps.

Independent advice, from all manufacturers

As an independent, family-owned practice, we're not tied to any one brand. We mainly fit Starkey, Oticon, Phonak and Widex hearing aids, and we can supply hearing aids from all manufacturers. That means our recommendations are based on what suits you.

Every hearing aid purchase includes five years of aftercare, including unlimited service appointments and 6-monthly reviews with a retest and fine-tuning, plus free ear wax removal at each review. You'll have ongoing support from the same familiar team.

Peace of mind when you buy

Your hearing aids come with a 60-day money-back guarantee. If you're not happy with them at the end of 60 days, you can return them for a full refund. We also offer interest-free payment plans over up to 12 months, with a 20% deposit (subject to credit approval), so you can spread the cost.

Start with a hearing assessment

The first step is a full hearing assessment, so that any recommendation is based on your actual hearing rather than guesswork. It includes measuring your hearing across different pitches and speech tests in quiet and noisy conditions, and we'll explain your results in everyday language. Your assessment is currently £45 (normally £95), and no GP referral is needed.

If hearing aids are right for you, we'll go through the styles that suit your results and your lifestyle, with no pressure to decide on the day.

Book in Altrincham

Whether you're coming from Altrincham town centre, Hale, Bowdon, Timperley, Sale or further across Trafford, we'd be glad to help. Call us on 0161 989 1288 or book online. We're open Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 5pm, at 24 The Downs, Altrincham WA14 2PU.