In-the-Ear (ITE) and In-the-Canal (ITC) hearing aids fit completely in the ear. No part of the hearing aid goes behind the ear, therefore, they are excellent for individuals who wear eyeglasses. The ITE hearing aid fills the entire ear and the ITC fills only the lower portion of the ear. The ITE uses a larger battery than the ITC so it does not have to be changed as often. Both of these hearing aid styles can have directional microphones and tele-coils.
Hearing Aid Styles - ITE/ITC
The biggest advantage for these hearing aids over the OTE and BTE hearing aids is that they are completly contained in the ear. One of the disadvantages of this style hearing aid is that the user often hears their own voice as if it is in a barrel (occlusion effect)