Hearing aids have been around since the 17th century, but they’ve come a long way since then! Today’s advanced hearing aids are so innovative that they’re barely visible and help you hear as well as — if not better than — your natural hearing.

Hearing loss comes in various degrees and can be caused by natural aging, trauma, and physical irregularities. The type of device you’ll need to help you get your ideal sound back depends on your level of loss and your preferences.

All hearing aids amplify sound, triggering the hair cells in the ear that transfer noise to the brain. This is done using a microphone, an amplifier, and a speaker. The sound enters the hearing aid via the microphone, is transferred to the amplifier, and then sent into the ear canal using the speaker. The external and internal features of the hearing aids differentiate them.

Here, we’ll break down the 5 main types of hearing aids and how to know which one is right for you.

Digital and Analog

Before we dig into the five types of hearing aids, it’s essential to understand that each kind is available in both digital and analog varieties. Digital hearing aids take the sound waves and change them into digital signals. These signals create a replica of the sound. A computer chip analyzes the sounds and breaks them down into background noises and speech. You’ll be able to hear more sounds with a digital device, but some people don’t like the intensity of this noise.

An analog hearing aid does the trick if you’d prefer to make the speech around you louder. These devices amplify all the sounds near you to the same level. You can adjust the settings in most analog hearing aids to more or less intensity to account for the differences between, for example, a library and a concert. Still, digital devices are taking the main scene, and analogs are less common today, with all found in the following types.

1. Behind-the-Ear (BTE)

Ideal for everyone with hearing loss, behind-the-ear (BTE) devices are your traditional hearing aids that sit — you guessed it — mainly behind the ear. A small wire connects the microphone to the earmold, which houses the speaker and amplifier in the outer ear. The BTE aid is bulky, though, making it uncomfortable for some people, and you may notice earwax buildup and a muffled voice, which are more predominant due to the restricted airflow.

2. Behind-the-Ear Mini

If you find the BTE device too cumbersome or visible, the mini BTE may work better for you. This is a good choice for those who don’t mind the hearing aid sitting behind the ear, but don’t want the device to be highly visible or plug their ear. It won’t muffle your voice, but you might find it easy to lose it, so it’s important to stay organized when you aren’t wearing your hearing aid.

3. In-the-Ear (ITE)

If you’re looking for a more discrete option, the in-the-ear device works well for all levels of hearing loss. However, it is permanently sized for your outer ear, where they sit, so it’s not recommended for children or teens. In the ITE device, the hearing aid electronics are housed in a small case located in the external ear. You can even connect them to your telephone or a Bluetooth device if you wish.

4. In-the-Canal Hearing Aid 

In-the-canal and completely-in-the-canal aids are good choices if your hearing loss isn’t severely gone. These discrete devices are nearly invisible to the outside eye. However, because they’re so small, they’re not the best choice for those with neuropathy, arthritis, or other finger dexterity issues.

5. Middle Ear Implants (MEI)

When you prefer not to hear the feedback common with most hearing aids, the middle ear implant (MEI) can help. Designed for those with profound hearing loss, an MEI is inserted inside the ear using a surgical procedure. These devices sit on the small bone in the middle of the ear, moving the bones so that the sound vibrations are strengthened. The outside part of the device sits on the outer ear.

Which Device is Right For You?

White no hearing aid will restore your hearing back to its natural state, all 5 of these devices will improve your sound perception. Talk to your doctor or an audiologist near you to find out which device is best for you depending on factors such as the severity of your hearing loss, comfort, cosmetics, and budget.