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Hearing aids are the go-to device to help correct mild to severe hearing loss in the more than 37 million American adults who report some sort of hearing trouble. However, among those with hearing loss, less than 30% aged 70 and older and around 16% aged 20 to 69 actually use hearing aids.1
In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids are a popular type and style of hearing aid that helps amplify sounds you may have trouble hearing. As the name suggests, it is small and fits right in your outer ear.2
If you or a loved one is thinking about getting hearing aids, this information can help make that decision a little easier.
What Is an In-the-Ear Hearing Aid?
In-the-ear hearing aids are a type of hearing aid worn directly inside the outer ear, making it less visible to other people. It can be used for mild to severe hearing loss. Children typically do not use ITE hearing aids because these devices need to be refitted as the ear grows.2
A speaker, microphone and amplifier make up the main parts of all types of hearing aids, including ITE hearing aids. The small plastic compartment that fits inside your ear contains all the electronics needed to amplify sound to make it easier to hear.2
ITE hearing aids are custom-fitted to your outer ear and do not have any visible wires or tubes like hearing aids that are worn behind the ear.3
Benefits
Here are some of the biggest factors that make ITE hearing aids stand out:3
- Available in different skin tone shades that help blend in with your skin tone
- Better in sound quality, with less external noise
- Custom-made to your outer ear for comfort and clarity
- Easy to handle when taking out and putting back in
- Mostly invisible to other people
A telecoil is an added feature of ITE hearing aids that makes telephone conversations clearer, as well as making it easier to hear in places that use installed special sound systems, such as schools, churches or airports.2
Styles of ITE Hearing Aids
There are different styles of ITE hearing aids, including invisible in canal (IIC), completely in canal (CIC), half shell and full shell.3 Here is a brief look at each.
Invisible in canal (IIC) hearing aids
IICs are the smallest hearing aids available, designed to fit and mold to the shape of your ear canal. A tiny cord is attached to help with easy removal.3
There are benefits and drawbacks to IIC hearing aids:3
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Adapt automatically to the sound environment | Can be damaged by ear wax buildup |
| Better sound quality (less external noise) | Do not have a directional microphone |
| Custom made | Shorter battery life due to size4 |
| Discreet style and appearance | Smaller size may be difficult to handle |
Completely in canal (CIC) hearing aids
Before IICs, CIC hearing aids were the most discreet hearing aid. CICs are still very discreet to people around you, but the face plate is slightly visible.3
Here are some things to consider about CIC hearing aids:3
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Better sound quality (less external noise) | Can be damaged by ear wax buildup |
| Button that allows you to control for environment | Can be vulnerable to moisture |
| Custom made to fit discreetly (mostly invisible to those around you) | Need good ventilation when used |
Half shell ITE hearing aids
Half shell in-the-ear hearing aids are custom-made to fit the shape of your ear and designed to fit only half of the outer ear.3
Some pros and cons of half shell ITE hearing aids are outlined in the table below:3
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Able to have more high-tech features | Can be damaged by ear wax buildup4 |
| Easy to handle | Can be vulnerable to moisture4 |
| Longer battery life than IIC hearing aids | May cause a feeling of fullness in the ear |
| Relatively discreet | More visible than other ITE hearing aids |
Full shell ITE hearing aids
Full shell in-the-ear hearing aids are the largest of the ITE-style hearing aids. They are custom-made to fit the entire region of the outer ear.3
Similar to the half shell, there are both pros and cons to full shell in-the-ear hearing aids:3
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Able to have more high-tech features | Can be damaged by ear wax buildup4 |
| Larger amplifiers to generate better sound | Can be vulnerable to moisture4 |
| Longer battery life than IIC hearing aids | May cause a feeling of fullness in the ear |
| Relatively discreet | More visible than other ITE hearing aids |
How Much Do ITE Hearing Aids Cost?
The national average cost* of ITE hearing aids in the United States is $1,411, but it can range from $1,086 to $2,567 depending on location.5
If you are 18 years or older and have mild to moderate hearing loss, you can now purchase hearing aids over-the-counter (OTC) from places like Costco and your local pharmacy without a hearing test.6
While OTC hearing aids are typically cheaper than prescription hearing aids, they have limitations such as being one-size-fits-all (no custom fitting), having limited technology and not including follow-up support.6
Calculate the cost of an ITE hearing aid device near you*
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Average cost for an ITE hearing aid by state/district
Whether you opt to purchase OTC hearing aids or get them prescribed through an audiologist, below is the breakdown of the average cost* of in-the-ear hearing aids by all 50 states and the District of Columbia:5
| State/District | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $1,251 |
| Alaska | $1,711 |
| Arizona | $1,415 |
| Arkansas | $1,224 |
| California | $1,779 |
| Colorado | $1,417 |
| Connecticut | $1,442 |
| Delaware | $1,405 |
| District of Columbia | $1,713 |
| Florida | $1,396 |
| Georgia | $1,275 |
| Hawaii | $2,017 |
| Idaho | $1,430 |
| Illinois | $1,409 |
| Indiana | $1,270 |
| Iowa | $1,236 |
| Kansas | $1,242 |
| Kentucky | $1,308 |
| Louisiana | $1,295 |
| Maine | $1,438 |
| Maryland | $1,705 |
| Massachusetts | $1,719 |
| Michigan | $1,284 |
| Minnesota | $1,332 |
| Mississippi | $1,206 |
| Missouri | $1,260 |
| Montana | $1,373 |
| Nebraska | $1,263 |
| Nevada | $1,387 |
| New Hampshire | $1,452 |
| New Jersey | $1,544 |
| New Mexico | $1,281 |
| New York | $1,519 |
| North Carolina | $1,305 |
| North Dakota | $1,290 |
| Ohio | $1,325 |
| Oklahoma | $1,233 |
| Oregon | $1,529 |
| Pennsylvania | $1,372 |
| Rhode Island | $1,476 |
| South Carolina | $1,320 |
| South Dakota | $1,290 |
| Tennessee | $1,254 |
| Texas | $1,314 |
| Utah | $1,433 |
| Vermont | $1,488 |
| Virginia | $1,373 |
| Washington | $1,562 |
| West Virginia | $1,261 |
| Wisconsin | $1,310 |
| Wyoming | $1,313 |
Are ITE Hearing Aids Covered by Insurance?
Insurance coverage for hearing aids can vary by state. Traditional Medicare doesn’t typically offer assistance for adults, but Medicaid does cover hearing aids for children. Supplemental or private insurance may cover the cost of hearing aids, depending on your specific healthcare plan.7
How Is the ITE Hearing Aid Fitted?
Before you can wear hearing aids, they need to be fitted to make sure they work properly and are comfortable. If you purchase your hearing aids through an ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctor or audiologist, they will help you decide which style is right for you, do a custom fitting and order them through a manufacturer. Hearing aids bought over the counter typically come in a one-size-fits-all design.8
Getting fitted for ITE hearing aids includes the following steps:8
- A computer is used to calibrate the hearing aids to your specific type of hearing loss.
- Ear measurements are taken to ensure amplification levels are correct.
- Your ear specialist will teach you how to insert and take out the hearing aids.
- They will instruct you on changing the batteries, cleaning and maintenance.
- They'll make sure the hearing aids fit comfortably.
- You'll be shown how to change settings and connect with other features.
You may have a couple of follow-up visits with the doctor after the initial fitting to make sure your hearing aids are working properly and resolve any issues that come up.8
Frequently Asked Questions About ITE Hearing Aids
Still have questions about ITE hearing aids? Check out some commonly asked questions about them below.
Financing Ear Care With the CareCredit Credit Card
The CareCredit credit card can help you pay for hearing care, including regular hearing tests, screenings and more.** Use our Acceptance Locator to find a hearing specialist near you that accepts CareCredit. Continue to invest in your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.
In addition to hearing care, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for dentistry, cosmetic, pet care, vision, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?
Author Bio
Amy Isler, M.S.N., R.N., has more than a decade of nursing expertise. She combines her nursing experience and journalism background to create engaging and educational healthcare content for leading brands and publications, including GoodRx, Verywell Health, Vision Center and more. Her mission in writing is to provide positive, accurate and informative articles for consumers.
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