A patient with moderate bilateral SNHL is being fitted with a hearing aid. The most commonly prescribed hearing aid style that sits entirely in the ear canal and is cosmetically least visible is:

• A Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid
• B Body-worn hearing aid
• C CROS hearing aid
• D In-the-canal (ITC) or completely-in-the-canal (CIC) hearing aid ✓

Explanation

Completely-in-the-canal (CIC) and in-the-canal (ITC) hearing aids are the least visible styles, fitting deeply within the ear canal. They are suitable for mild-to-moderate hearing loss and use the natural resonance of the ear canal. Limitations include small battery size (shorter life), reduced power (not suitable for severe loss), and handling difficulties for elderly patients. BTE aids are more powerful and suitable for severe-profound loss. CROS aids are for single-sided deafness.

Reference: Dhingra Diseases of Ear, Nose and Throat, 7th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.