Preferred Hearing Solutions

As a rule of thumb, hearing aids of the past increase or decrease in price inversely with size.  Today, the size of the hearing device doesn't affect the price much. The price is now determined by the sophistication of the digital circuit used in the hearing device. The more technology that is included in the device, the more expensive it will be. Also, the latest technology is typically more expensive because the development cost must be amortized over much smaller numbers than most consumer electronic items.  As hearing device use becomes more common the prices of the latest technology will surely decrease.

CIC (Completely-in-the-canal):  In order to disguise a hearing loss, it is first necessary to have the proper electronic circuit for your loss so that you are hearing as well as possible. Then it is important that the hearing aid not be visible to the casual observer. The CIC is the smallest instrument which can be effectively placed in the ear to supplement hearing.  It fits in the cartilaginous portion of the ear canal where it is the most difficult for others to see.  Hence, its' great popularity in spite of the higher cost.  Because of its' small size, some hearing losses may not be good candidates for this size instrument, but it can effectively be used to fit most mild to even severe hearing losses. Because of the limitations of miniaturization, some small ear canals are difficult if not impossible to fit with a CIC. A specialist at Preferred Hearing Aid Center can help you determine whether or not you are a good candidate for a CIC.

Mini-Canal:  This instrument fits at the aperture of the canal and is the next size larger than the CIC, yet slightly smaller than the in-the-canal, making it useful for smaller ears.   This instrument is good for mild to moderate hearing losses and can also be difficult for others to see.

In-the-Canal:  Commonly called a Canal instrument, it can be used for mild to moderately severe hearing losses.   While it is slightly larger than the mini-canal and a little easier to see, more technology can be included, like push button controls and a telephone coupling device.

Half Shell (Half Concha):  It is used for mild to moderately severe hearing losses and fills only the lower half of the concha bowl or ear.  It is larger than the canal and less expensive.

In-the-Ear:  It fills the entire ear or concha and can be used to fit a wide range of hearing losses from mild to extremely severe.  It is the least expensive of all the hearing instrument models from which to choose.

Behind-the-Ear:  The behind the ear hearing instrument is used for severe to profound hearing losses.  The instrument is contoured to fit behind the ear, and has a tube which goes to the mold which is placed in the ear to send the sound to the ear drum.  The instruments themselves can be very small, and the molds used for profound losses can even be difficult-to-see canal types.   They are usually more expensive than standard ITE instruments, but less than the small instruments which fit into the canal.

For more information about cosmetic styles (sizes) or models, call Preferred Hearing Aid Center @ 951-652-9655, 951-303-8886 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it