AccuQuest

Traditionally, most hearing aids were created using a custom molding process to fit the unique shape of each patient’s ear and ear-canal. Custom shell instruments include the ITE (In-The-Ear), ITC (In-The-Canal), CIC (Completely-In-Canal), and IIC (Invisible-In-Canal) styles.

• 

  ITE (In-The-Ear)

  These hearing instruments are very easy to operate even if the user has poor dexterity. The hearing device is housed within a custom-made shell that fits comfortably inside each ear and delivers sound directly to the ear.

• 

  ITC (In-The-Canal)

  These hearing instruments can barely be seen and are very easy to operate, even if the user has poor dexterity. The hearing device is housed within a custom-made shell that fits comfortably inside each ear canal and delivers sound directly to the ear.

• 

  CIC (Completely-In-The-Canal)

  These hearing instruments are virtually invisible to others. The hearing device is housed in a tiny shell that fits comfortably and completely into each ear canal. The device is removed from the ear canal by pulling a tiny cord. Where these miniature instruments are both powerful and cosmetically appealing, some features, such as manual volume control, are not available because the devices are so small. These instruments may be a little difficult to operate especially if the user has poor dexterity.

• 

  IIC (Invisible-In-Canal)

  These hearing instruments rest comfortably in the second bend of your ear canal. This allows it to use the ear’s natural acoustics and anatomy to deliver more precise, natural sound—AND it is completely undetectable to the outside world. Unlike extended wear deep insertion aids, the IIC can be removed and reinserted daily to promote better hearing health.

Open Fit hearing instruments have a flexible tip that fits deep within the ear canal and does not require a custom molding process. The tip is vented to allow natural sound to enter the ear canal an prevent the "head in the barrel" sensation that can occur when the canal is plugged with a custom shell.

• 

  RIC (Receiver-In-Canal)

  These hearing instruments are virtually invisible but are still large enough to supply large amounts of power for the hard of hearing and are large enough for patients with dexterity issues to handle with ease. The hearing device is housed in a curved shell that sits behind the ear while the clear tube hooks over the ear and the small receiver on the end will sit all the way inside the ear canal making it virtually invisible.

The most powerful hearing instrument available used to treat loss from mild to profound. Traditionally these hearing aids require custom molds that fill the opening of the ear canal and conform to its unique shape. But the most recent advances like Starkey's new S Series BTE with SWEEP technology are making BTE both cosmetically appealing and available in open fit (no custom mold in the canal).

• 

  BTE (Behind-The-Ear)

  These hearing instruments are extremely flexible for all types of hearing loss. The hearing device is housed within a curved shell that sits behind each ear and delivers sound through a clear tube. The clear tube typically fits into a mold that has been customized to comfortably fit inside each ear—although open fit BTEs are now available as well.