After introducing the differences between CIC and ITC hearing aids in our previous blog, this time we’ll take a closer look at the RIC and BTE models to understand how they differ.

RIC (Receiver In Canal) hearing aids have the speaker placed directly inside the ear canal, allowing for a more natural sound experience as audio is delivered through the ear canal itself. The device is small and discreet, making it barely noticeable even though it sits behind the ear. In addition, users can adjust the amplification level by changing the receiver size to suit their specific hearing needs, enhancing both comfort and performance.

BTE (Behind The Ear) hearing aids, on the other hand, have the speaker built into the main body of the device, which rests behind the ear. Sound is transmitted through a plastic tube that directs audio into the ear canal. However, because the sound originates from behind the ear, the listening experience with BTE models tends to be less natural compared to RIC models, where the speaker is closer to the eardrum.