Good reason to love the sound of your own voice
Try an open-fit hearing aid for more natural sound
Gone are the days of echoes and distortion from your hearing aid. Open-fit hearing aids avoid this occlusion effect by allowing low frequency sounds (like your own voice) to exit your ear without getting amplified, which means you still sound like you.
A comfortable fit and a natural sound
With open-fit, a thin wire or plastic tube carries the sound directly to your ear canal. These devices provide a natural sound that can help people with a range of hearing loss issues.
There are two main types of open-fit hearing devices:
Receiver-in-the canal (RIC)
With this style of hearing aid, the receiver sits inside a small plastic dome that fits snugly inside your ear canal. The closer the receiver, the less feedback you get. Plus the overall look is quite discreet, since the plastic case behind your ear holds less tech. RICs are best for mild to moderate hearing loss.
Behind-the-ear (BTE)
All the hardware sits behind your ear in a sleek case, including the receiver. Sound is transmitted directly into your ear canal via a plastic tube, but the amplification is impressive. These are the most powerful open-fit hearing aids, offering great sound quality and a long battery life. They can handle mild to profound hearing loss.
Experienced audiologists on your doorstep
Find a time that suits you and the Ears To You® mobile hearing clinic will come straight to your door. No waiting list. No need to travel.
Get a free diagnostic hearing test and a detailed view of your ear heath. Understand your type of hearing loss and your options for better hearing.
After your hearing test, you’ll get a personalized recommendation based on your hearing needs, lifestyle, and preferences. No pressure to purchase — just an expert opinion on the best hearing aid for your unique case.
Feel like a priority with convenient hearing care
Where you'll find us
Clear sound and a comfortable fit
Get specialist advice on choosing your hearing aid — with fittings and follow-up care at no extra cost.
Frequently asked questions
How effective are open-fit hearing aids?
Open-fit hearing aids are very effective for those with mild to moderate hearing loss. If you have severe hearing loss, you could try a behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid. BTEs still use an open fit, but offer stronger amplification than other styles like the receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aid. Open-fit hearing aids are popular because they transmit into the ear canal using a thin tube that doesn’t completely block the ear. As a result, they’re effective for a more natural sound with less feedback.
What’s the difference between RIC and open-fit?
Receiver-in-the-canal (RIC) is a type of open-fit hearing aid, so there’s technically no difference between them. However, RIC is slightly different from behind-the-ear (BTE), even though they both use an open fit. With RIC hearing aids, the receiver (or speaker) sits right inside the ear canal, giving a more discreet fit. BTEs tend to be slightly bigger and more powerful, with all the hardware sitting in a plastic case just behind the ear. Unlike a closed or in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aid, open-fit means the ear isn’t completely blocked by the hearing aid. This results in a more natural sound.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of open-fit hearing aids compared to other types?
The main advantage of an open-fit hearing aid is that you don’t experience the occlusion you would in an ITE hearing aid. This is because the hearing aid doesn’t entirely block your ear, allowing air and low-frequency sounds to pass naturally. As a result, your own voice sounds more natural, and internal sounds like chewing don’t echo. However, one disadvantage to open-fit hearing aids is that they tend to be more difficult to insert, remove, and clean than other styles. This can be a challenge for those with dexterity issues, who might prefer ITE. If you’re not sure which style to choose, it’s worth booking an appointment with an audiologist for advice.
