- Custom hearing aids are made specifically for your ear anatomy, offering improved comfort, retention, and a more discreet appearance compared to standard devices.
- They provide unmatched personalization, including size, color, battery type, and connectivity options, depending on the style and your hearing needs.
- Working with an audiologist is essential when choosing custom hearing aids so you can enjoy proper fit, appropriate features, and benefit from long-term performance.
Choosing a hearing aid can be an overwhelming decision-making process for many people. There are numerous styles, brands, and price points available on the market. Hearing aid marketing often focuses on making products appear sleek rather than emphasizing functionality, which makes it difficult for someone unfamiliar with hearing aids to make an informed decision.
To make matters more confusing, there are other devices on the market, such as personal sound amplification products (PSAPs), pocket talkers, and more recently, over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids. These devices often misrepresent themselves as being the same as Class II prescriptive hearing aids, but they are not equivalent.
In addition to the wide range of options, you also need to consider your hearing loss, listening lifestyle needs, and any physical or cognitive challenges that may be present. For these reasons, the process can be complicated and should include a hearing healthcare professional to help educate you and navigate this area of healthcare with you. Your local audiologist can be a valuable resource, providing information on all available options and offering recommendations when you feel unsure.
What Are Custom Hearing Aids?
One hearing aid option that is not as widely known is custom hearing aids. When many people think of traditional hearing aids, they imagine bulky tan devices that sit behind the ear with a large plastic earmold inside the ear canal. These older designs could be visually unappealing and very noticeable.
Thankfully, those devices are no longer the norm. Hearing aid design has become much sleeker in both size and shape. Custom hearing aids provide a solution that fits within the ear and is often far less noticeable to others.
How Custom Hearing Aids Are Made
Custom hearing aids are made specifically to match your unique ear anatomy. This process begins by taking earmold impressions of your ear canal. The impression can be created either with a physical mold or through an ear scan that produces a 3D image.
For a physical mold, the audiologist places a small cotton or foam block deep within the ear canal and then fills the canal and outer ear with a soft, putty-like silicone material. This material hardens in just a few minutes and creates an exact replica of your ear canal. The impression is then sent to the hearing aid manufacturer, where the device is built entirely from that mold.
Because these devices are custom-made, they take longer to manufacture than standard hearing aids. On average, the process takes about two weeks. While the wait is longer, the comfort and fit are well worth it.
Why Custom Hearing Aids Offer More Personalization
Custom hearing aids are the most diverse and customizable hearing aid style available. For this reason, it’s important to discuss which size and configuration best fits your needs.
Custom hearing aids can range from very small devices that sit deep inside the ear canal to larger devices that fill the concha bowl of the outer ear. The size you choose depends on how visible you want the hearing aid to be, which features you want included, and whether you prefer battery-powered or rechargeable devices.
Another customization option is color. Custom hearing aids are available in various skin tones, black (to resemble wireless earbuds), or even red and blue to help distinguish right from left.
Types of Custom Hearing Aids
There are four main styles of custom hearing aids: invisible-in-the-canal (IIC), completely-in-the-canal (CIC), in-the-canal (ITC), and in-the-ear (ITE). Not all styles are suitable for every patient, as ear size and degree of hearing loss play an important role in determining eligibility.
Invisible-in-the-Canal (IIC) Hearing Aids
Invisible-in-the-canal (IIC) hearing aids sit very deep within the ear canal and must be placed by an audiologist. A well-known example is the Lyric, a disposable hearing aid offered through a subscription model and replaced every few months.
This option provides a completely hands-off approach—you don’t insert or remove the device yourself. However, it’s not appropriate for individuals with chronic ear infections or frequent earwax buildup, as these conditions can damage the device. Proximity to your audiologist’s office is also important, as regular replacements are required.
Completely-in-the-Canal (CIC) Hearing Aids
Completely-in-the-canal (CIC) hearing aids are the smallest custom devices that users can insert and remove themselves. Ear canal anatomy must be large enough to accommodate the necessary technology comfortably.
These devices include a small, clear removal wire that extends slightly outside the ear canal. Aside from this wire, CIC hearing aids are essentially invisible. Due to their small size, they have limited Bluetooth and connectivity features, making them best for individuals who want a simple, discreet device they can wear all day without adjustments.
In-the-Canal (ITC) Hearing Aids
In-the-canal (ITC) hearing aids are slightly larger than CIC devices but still fit primarily within the ear canal. The faceplate sits flush with the ear canal opening and is typically color-matched to skin tone.
Because of their increased size, ITC devices can include Bluetooth connectivity and mobile app compatibility. This allows users to adjust volume and programs directly from their smartphone for greater control and flexibility.
In-the-Ear (ITE) Hearing Aids
In-the-ear (ITE) custom hearing aids are the largest custom style and offer the most customization. They can be made as half-shell devices (filling part of the concha bowl) or full-shell devices (filling the entire concha bowl).
ITE hearing aids are especially beneficial for individuals with dexterity or vision concerns because they are easier to handle. Many ITE models are available in rechargeable options, eliminating the need for disposable batteries. These devices also support robust connectivity, allowing direct streaming of phone calls and music with simple onboard controls.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Custom Hearing Aids
Custom hearing aids offer many advantages. They are a single-piece device, making them easier to handle and insert, particularly for individuals with visual or dexterity impairments. Because they are molded specifically for your ear, they often provide excellent retention and comfort.
They are also unaffected by face masks, unlike behind-the-ear hearing aids that can be dislodged when masks are removed. Custom hearing aids can be an excellent option for people with sensitive skin, allergies, or ear canal conditions, as the materials can be modified to be hypoallergenic.
One drawback is that custom hearing aids are more exposed to moisture and earwax since they sit inside the ear canal all day. Without regular cleaning, debris can block microphones or affect internal components. Additionally, because all parts are sealed within the shell, repairs typically require sending the device to the manufacturer, leaving users without their hearing aids for one to two weeks.
Are Custom Hearing Aids Right for You?
Custom hearing aids are excellent devices that offer flexibility, personalization, and comfort. They provide distinct advantages over behind-the-ear models for many users. If you’re interested in learning more about custom hearing aids, contact your local audiologist to explore which styles and manufacturers are available.
Be sure to discuss your connectivity goals, lifestyle needs, and handling preferences. Scheduling a consultation allows you to review options in detail and determine which custom hearing aid style best supports your hearing and daily life.
