RIC vs BTE Hearing Aids: Which Is Right For You?

If you’re reading this blog, chances are you’re looking into hearing aid options. There are a few different kinds of hearing aids available, and it’s important to understand the differences between them so you can make an informed decision about your own hearing health. This is something that you can not only research yourself but also consult your audiologist on too.

As you may have seen, choosing the right hearing aid can be difficult. There are so many different styles to choose from, and it can be hard to know which is right for you. So, in this blog post, we’ll compare two of the common types of hearing aids: receiver in canal (RIC) and behind the ear (BTE).

RIC Hearing Aids

RIC hearing aids are small, discreet devices that fit inside the ear canal. They feature a receiver that fits inside the canal and a custom-made earmold that fits snugly at the opening of the ear canal. A RIC hearing aid is often chosen by people who want something small and lightweight that won’t draw attention to their ears.

RIC hearing aids have three main components. The first component is a thin receiver tube, which fits into the ear canal and contains the speakers that deliver sound. The second component is an amplifier, which sits behind the ear and amplifies sound before sending it through the receiver tube. The third component is a rechargeable battery pack, which helps provide power to the amplifier.

This type of hearing aid is ideal if you want to avoid having an obvious device behind your ear. They are also often considered less noticeable than other types of hearing aids because they fit further inside the ear canal than some other models do. The biggest advantage of RIC hearing aids is their discreetness. However, they may not be suitable for those with moderately-severe-to-profound hearing loss because their small size limits how much sound amplification they can provide.

BTE Hearing Aids

BTE hearing aids rest on top of or behind the ear and feature a plastic case that houses all components of the device including batteries, electronics, microphone and speaker. The speaker sends sound directly into your ear canal through a tube connected to an earmold or dome.

BTEs are larger than RICs but they also provide more power and amplification than RICs due to their bigger size and higher battery capacity. This makes them ideal for people with severe or profound levels of hearing loss. They also tend to be more cost effective than RICs since they don’t require custom molds for each individual user.

BTE hearing aids work by amplifying sound before it reaches your ear through a tiny microphone that sits behind your ear and feeds into an amplifier built into a device worn in your ear or on top of it. They are generally larger than RIC hearing aids but provide more sound amplification due to their size and design. They also tend to come with more features like directional microphones, noise cancellation technology and Bluetooth compatibility – allowing them to adapt better to different listening environments than RIC devices typically do.

Because these devices are bigger than RIC devices, some people find them more noticeable than other types of hearing aids; however, they offer greater levels of customization so you can find one that works best for you regardless of your lifestyle or level of hearing loss.

Choosing Between RIC vs BTE Hearing Aids

When choosing between RIC vs BTE hearing aids, there are several factors to consider including size, level of sound amplification needed, cost, lifestyle needs and aesthetic preferences. Both types have their benefits and drawbacks; however, ultimately what matters most is finding the one that will work best for you based on your individual needs.

When deciding which type of hearing aid is right for you, it is important to discuss your individual needs and lifestyle preferences with your audiologist. Both RICs and BTEs have advantages and disadvantages; depending on your level of hearing loss, one option may be more suitable than another for your needs.

Take your time researching the options available so that when it comes time to make a decision about which type of device is right for you – you’ll feel confident in your choice! Consult with an audiologist if you need help making a decision about which type will work best for you! To learn more about Audiology and Hearing Aid Services call us at 912-351-3038 today.