Hearing loss is a common health condition. Approximately 28.8 million adults in the U.S. could benefit from using hearing aids.1 Choosing a hearing aid might seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. ITC hearing aids are a popular choice worn by many who experience mild to moderate degrees of hearing loss. Learn more about ITC hearing aids, their features, and how they compare to other styles.
Many people may wonder, “What does ITC mean in hearing aids?” ITC stands for in-the-canal hearing aids. ITC hearing aids are a popular style. They are custom-fit to a person’s ear, which helps them fit comfortably and feel more natural and secure. This hearing aid style is also very small and discreet. For those with mild-to-moderate hearing loss, ITC hearing aids can be a great option.
Here are a few ITC hearing aid pros and cons to consider when choosing the style that’s right for you.
One of the biggest pros of ITC hearing aids is the fact that they are small and discreet. Often, people are looking for a hearing aid style that is easy to hide, especially people who are getting used to wearing hearing aids for the first time. ITC hearing aids offer an easy way to do this, since the entire device sits inside your ear canal. Another pro of ITC hearing aids is that they are simple to use. Their controls are fairly basic, which makes them easy to adjust. Lastly, for those who frequently talk on the phone, ITC hearing aids are one of the best options compared to other styles. They don’t get in the way of a phone’s speaker, and many styles are compatible with smartphones via Bluetooth.
While ITC hearing aids are a great fit for some individuals, they may not be suitable for everyone. Those who have severe hearing loss will likely need a different style that is more powerful, since ITC options are best suited for milder to moderate cases.
Additionally, because they are so small, ITC styles can be more difficult to manage for people with dexterity issues. Replacing the batteries, dealing with the controls, and even removing the hearing aids from your ears can be tricky. Some people may want a slightly larger style that is easier to manage.
Here is a closer look at how ITC hearing aids compare to other popular types and styles of hearing aids.
What is the difference between BTE and ITC hearing aids? BTE, or behind-the-ear, hearing aids are a style with an earmold. The device sits behind the outer ear and is connected to an earmold that sits inside the ear canal by a clear plastic tube.
These are a better option for those with more severe levels of hearing loss, as they have more powerful amplification capabilities. They also have a longer battery life than ITC hearing aids. However, they tend to be more visible and difficult to hide than styles that sit only in the ear.
RIC, or receiver-in-canal, hearing aids and ITC hearing aids have some similarities but also some differences. RIC hearing aids fit similarly to BTE styles. They feature a piece that sits behind the ear as well as a component that goes inside the ear canal, but the connection between the two pieces is just a thin wire.
So, like ITC styles, RIC hearing aids are discreet and can be easily hidden. However, they do feature a microphone and controls that are outside of the ear. For some people, this makes it easier to control the settings. RIC styles can also be used for a range of hearing loss levels, rather than only mild to moderate loss.
What is the difference between ITE and ITC hearing aids? ITE, or in-the-ear, hearing aids are larger than ITC styles, but they still fit in the ear as ITC hearing aids—just in the bowl, or concha, of the ear rather than in the canal. ITE devices can be used for a wide range of hearing loss, from mild to severe.
They are also a better option for those with dexterity issues since they are larger and easier to adjust. Because they are so versatile, they have a high satisfaction rate among many users.2 However, it’s always important to talk with a hearing care professional to determine which option is best for you.
An IIC, or invisible-in-the-canal, hearing aid is a style that fits fully in the canal and is nearly invisible once placed in the ear. Even smaller and more discreet than ITC and CIC options, they are the smallest hearing aid solution available on the market.
This means they have a shorter battery life than ITC options, however, and often don’t have as many advanced features. Like ITC hearing aids, these are best suited for mild to moderate hearing loss.
1 NIDCD Epidemiology, Statistics, and Population Sciences Section, based on December 2015 Census Bureau estimates of the noninstitutionalized U.S. population, personal communication; May 2016. (Accessed from https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/statistics/quick-statistics-hearing#11)
2 Dell'Antônia, Sabrina Freiberger et al. “Degree of satisfaction of patients fitted with hearing aids at a high complexity service.” Brazilian journal of otorhinolaryngology vol. 79,5 (2013): 555-63. doi:10.5935/1808-8694.20130100. (Accessed from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9442362/)
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