In the ear hearing aids
These hearing aids are moulded to fit inside your ears, making them very discreet or even invisible hearing aids.
What is it like to have in the ear hearing aids?
In-the-ear hearing aids sit snugly in your ear canals, out of the way of glasses, hats, and other headgear. The smallest are invisible hearing aids, while the larger models are coloured to match your skin tone.
Controlling in-the-ear hearing aids
See our best in ear hearing aidsSome in the ear hearing aids have a small button to control them with.
You use this to select different programs. Programs are to help you hear well in different situations. Although most noise control is automated, it can help to have a special program for when you are in very noisy places, or when you watch TV. Programs are set by your hearing care professional when you have your hearing aids fitted.
To turn in-the-ear hearing aids on or off, you open the battery drawer, which disconnects the power.
For the larger in-the-ear hearing aids (In-The-Canal and bigger), you can control the hearing aids using a hearing aid app for iPhone and other smartphones.
You use this to select different programs. Programs are to help you hear well in different situations. Although most noise control is automated, it can help to have a special program for when you are in very noisy places, or when you watch TV. Programs are set by your hearing care professional when you have your hearing aids fitted.
To turn in-the-ear hearing aids on or off, you open the battery drawer, which disconnects the power.
For the larger in-the-ear hearing aids (In-The-Canal and bigger), you can control the hearing aids using a hearing aid app for iPhone and other smartphones.
What kinds of in-the-ear hearing aids are there?
It might seem like there are many hearing aid types, but don’t worry – it’s really quite easy to understand. We offer five different models of in-ear hearing aids.
Invisible-in-the-canal hearing aids Our smallest hearing aids can sit inside your ear canal. These are also called invisible hearing aids.
Invisible-in-the-canal (IIC) hearing aids sit far enough in that they cannot be seen by other people. A thin plastic ‘pin’ remains accessible, for you to pull the hidden hearing aid out with.
Not everyone can have these completely invisible hearing aids because your ear canals need to be big enough to fit them.
Oticon IIC hearing aids suit people with hearing loss that is mild or moderate/severe.
IICs are custom-made hearing aids that are moulded to fit your ears precisely.
The best invisible hearing aids automatically adjust to different sound environments, so you don't need to touch them or change their settings during the day.
Invisible-in-the-canal (IIC) hearing aids sit far enough in that they cannot be seen by other people. A thin plastic ‘pin’ remains accessible, for you to pull the hidden hearing aid out with.
Not everyone can have these completely invisible hearing aids because your ear canals need to be big enough to fit them.
Oticon IIC hearing aids suit people with hearing loss that is mild or moderate/severe.
IICs are custom-made hearing aids that are moulded to fit your ears precisely.
The best invisible hearing aids automatically adjust to different sound environments, so you don't need to touch them or change their settings during the day.
Completely-In-the-Canal hearing aids (CIC) Very discreet hearing aids that sit completely in the ear canal and are well hidden from other people.
These are well-hidden hearing aids, however they are not completely invisible hearing aids. The faceplate is coloured to match your ear colour, for maximum discretion.
These suit people with mild to moderate/severe hearing loss.
Completely-In-the-Canal (CIC) hearing aids automatically adjust to different sound environments – so there’s no need to change their settings during the day. However, if you prefer manual control, CIC hearing aids give you the option of a control button, due to the slightly larger faceplate which has the necessary space for a button.
CICs are custom hearing aids that are moulded to fit your ears precisely.
These are well-hidden hearing aids, however they are not completely invisible hearing aids. The faceplate is coloured to match your ear colour, for maximum discretion.
These suit people with mild to moderate/severe hearing loss.
Completely-In-the-Canal (CIC) hearing aids automatically adjust to different sound environments – so there’s no need to change their settings during the day. However, if you prefer manual control, CIC hearing aids give you the option of a control button, due to the slightly larger faceplate which has the necessary space for a button.
CICs are custom hearing aids that are moulded to fit your ears precisely.
In-The-Canal hearing aids (ITC) Slightly larger than Completely-In-the-Canal hearing aids. These can be Bluetooth hearing aids – so you can connect wirelessly to smartphones, TVs, and other devices.
A small faceplate is visible in the lower part of the ear. This can have a volume wheel to control the sound level, and a button to control the program.
As Bluetooth hearing aids, you can pair ITC hearing aids with many digital entertainment and communication devices, as well as dedicated hearing care accessories, such as remote microphones and our remote control. It is simple to connect ITC hearing aids. You use our free hearing aid app for iPhone and other smartphones.
The larger size of ITC hearing aids makes them easier to handle than the smaller hidden hearing aid styles. This suits people who might struggle to operate very small hearing aids.
Oticon ITC suit people with a mild to severe hearing loss.
ITCs are custom hearing aids that are moulded to fit your ears precisely.
A small faceplate is visible in the lower part of the ear. This can have a volume wheel to control the sound level, and a button to control the program.
As Bluetooth hearing aids, you can pair ITC hearing aids with many digital entertainment and communication devices, as well as dedicated hearing care accessories, such as remote microphones and our remote control. It is simple to connect ITC hearing aids. You use our free hearing aid app for iPhone and other smartphones.
The larger size of ITC hearing aids makes them easier to handle than the smaller hidden hearing aid styles. This suits people who might struggle to operate very small hearing aids.
Oticon ITC suit people with a mild to severe hearing loss.
ITCs are custom hearing aids that are moulded to fit your ears precisely.
Half-Shell hearing aids These hearing aids fill up more of the visible ear. They are easy to use and connect wirelessly to smartphones, TVs, and other devices.
This type of hearing aid sits visibly in the ear itself (in the concha), rather than just in the ear canal.
They are also known as low-profile hearing aids.
Because they are larger than other in-the-ear hearing aids, they are easier to handle for people who face dexterity challenges. Half-Shell hearing aids can be easier to insert in your ears and make it easier for you to change the batteries.
What is more, they can accommodate longer-lasting batteries and larger controls.
Half-Shell hearing aids are suitable for hearing loss from mild to severe.
Half-Shells are custom hearing aids that are moulded to fit your ears precisely.
This type of hearing aid sits visibly in the ear itself (in the concha), rather than just in the ear canal.
They are also known as low-profile hearing aids.
Because they are larger than other in-the-ear hearing aids, they are easier to handle for people who face dexterity challenges. Half-Shell hearing aids can be easier to insert in your ears and make it easier for you to change the batteries.
What is more, they can accommodate longer-lasting batteries and larger controls.
Half-Shell hearing aids are suitable for hearing loss from mild to severe.
Half-Shells are custom hearing aids that are moulded to fit your ears precisely.
Full-Shell hearing aids These hearing aids are the easiest in-ear hearing aids to handle and use. They connect wirelessly to smartphones, TVs, and other devices.
This type of hearing aid sits visibly in the ear itself (in the concha), rather than just in the ear canal.
They are also known as low-profile hearing aids.
Because they are larger than other in-the-ear hearing aids, they are easier to handle for people who face dexterity challenges. Full-Shell hearing aids can be easier to insert in your ears and make it easier for you to change the batteries.
What is more, they can accommodate longer-lasting batteries and larger controls.
Full-Shell hearing aids are suitable for hearing loss from mild to severe.
Full-Shells are custom hearing aids that are moulded to fit your ears precisely.
This type of hearing aid sits visibly in the ear itself (in the concha), rather than just in the ear canal.
They are also known as low-profile hearing aids.
Because they are larger than other in-the-ear hearing aids, they are easier to handle for people who face dexterity challenges. Full-Shell hearing aids can be easier to insert in your ears and make it easier for you to change the batteries.
What is more, they can accommodate longer-lasting batteries and larger controls.
Full-Shell hearing aids are suitable for hearing loss from mild to severe.
Full-Shells are custom hearing aids that are moulded to fit your ears precisely.
Which kind of hearing aid do I need?
Our hearing aids are either in-the-ear hearing aids or behind-the-ear hearing aids.
To choose the best hearing aids for you, try our quick and easy guide.
Restrictions on the choice of hearing aid types
Start our quick guideMost people can freely choose the type of hearing aid they want. However, some people might have to use a specific style.
For example, narrow ear canals can preclude some in-the-ear hearing aids. And severe hearing loss can require more powerful behind-the-ear hearing aids.
Your hearing care professional can tell you all about the types of digital hearing aids that could fit your needs.
For example, narrow ear canals can preclude some in-the-ear hearing aids. And severe hearing loss can require more powerful behind-the-ear hearing aids.
Your hearing care professional can tell you all about the types of digital hearing aids that could fit your needs.
Where to buy hearing aids?
The best in-the-ear hearing aids are only available through an audiologist. An audiologist is a hearing care professional. They are trained to test your hearing and fit you with the right kind of hearing aids.
How much does an invisible hearing aid cost?
Ask your hearing care professionalWe wish we could help more, but unfortunately, it’s very hard to give you a price for invisible hearing aids or any other kind of hearing aid.
This is because the cost of your hearing aids will depend on many things that we don’t control.
Many people can get their hearing aid costs paid for through their health insurance or through another agency. Some people can get part of the price of their hearing aids paid for.
The best way to find out if you are eligible for financial assistance is to ask a hearing care professional or audiologist.
This is because the cost of your hearing aids will depend on many things that we don’t control.
Many people can get their hearing aid costs paid for through their health insurance or through another agency. Some people can get part of the price of their hearing aids paid for.
The best way to find out if you are eligible for financial assistance is to ask a hearing care professional or audiologist.
The technology of digital hearing aids
The best in-the-ear hearing aids are digital hearing aids, with a minicomputer to process the sound.
Unlike some over-the-counter hearing aids, Oticon hearing aids don’t just amplify all of the sound. First, they reduce the noise – and only then do they send high-quality sound to your ears.
Noise control is almost everything with hearing aids
Good sound quality requires good noise control. This ability often determines the best hearing aids. This is especially the case when lots of people are talking. More affordable hearing aids try to control noise as well, but the best hearing aids are much better at it, which makes your life easier in many ways.
What to look out for with cheap in-ear hearing aids
Noise control is one of the main things that separates quality hearing aids from inferior ones.
Our high-quality hearing aids scan the sound environment many times every second. This helps your brain with a more natural sound picture, because the hearing aids can reduce noise before it reaches your ears.
In contrast, some over-the-counter hearing aids simply amplify all the sound, which can be very overwhelming. These include personal sound amplifiers and personal sound amplification products.
You should always have hearing aids fitted by a hearing care professional.
Cheap hearing aids that do perform some noise control tend to do it poorly – so your brain can become overwhelmed with noisy sound that is harder to understand.
Without effective noise reduction, this can leave you feeling more tired, because it requires more effort.
What is more, some cheaper hearing aids deal with noise by simply cutting out the sound around you. This gives you ‘tunnel hearing’ that forces you to focus straight ahead. It then requires more effort to hear different people talking, making it more tiring for you to have conversations.
In contrast, Oticon’s BrainHearing™ technology has been developed to give your brain ideal conditions in which to naturally perform.
Our high-quality hearing aids scan the sound environment many times every second. This helps your brain with a more natural sound picture, because the hearing aids can reduce noise before it reaches your ears.
In contrast, some over-the-counter hearing aids simply amplify all the sound, which can be very overwhelming. These include personal sound amplifiers and personal sound amplification products.
You should always have hearing aids fitted by a hearing care professional.
Cheap hearing aids that do perform some noise control tend to do it poorly – so your brain can become overwhelmed with noisy sound that is harder to understand.
Without effective noise reduction, this can leave you feeling more tired, because it requires more effort.
What is more, some cheaper hearing aids deal with noise by simply cutting out the sound around you. This gives you ‘tunnel hearing’ that forces you to focus straight ahead. It then requires more effort to hear different people talking, making it more tiring for you to have conversations.
In contrast, Oticon’s BrainHearing™ technology has been developed to give your brain ideal conditions in which to naturally perform.
Communication between two hearing aids
Some in-the-ear styles will communicate with each other wirelessly, to give you a more realistic sound picture.
Bluetooth hearing aids
In-the-ear hearing aids can be Bluetooth hearing aids. This means they can connect to many other devices wirelessly.
You can stream sound into your hearing aids from your TV, use your hearing aids to make phone calls, and much more.
