Hearing Aid Styles
Compare Every Hearing Aid Style at Sound Advice
From invisible hearing aids that sit deep in the canal to behind-the-ear hearing aids that deliver maximum power, the right device depends on your hearing loss, lifestyle, and aesthetic preferences. Sound Advice fits hearing aid styles in Burbank, CA across six form factors — RIC, BTE, ITE, ITC, CIC, and IIC — from Phonak, ReSound, Signia, Unitron, and Widex. Dr. Beverly Lew, Au.D. walks you through every option so you choose the style you'll actually wear.
Six Styles, One Audiologist Who Fits Them All
The best hearing aid is the one you'll actually wear every day. Sound Advice fits BTE, RIC, ITE, ITC, CIC, and IIC hearing aids — Dr. Lew matches each patient in Burbank to the style that suits their hearing, comfort, and aesthetic preferences.
Receiver-in-Canal (RIC)
The most popular hearing aid style today. A small housing sits behind the ear and sends sound through a thin wire to a receiver placed in the ear canal. RIC hearing aids are lightweight, discreet, and pack advanced features like Bluetooth streaming and rechargeable hearing aids in Burbank options — Sound Advice fits RIC devices from Phonak, ReSound, Signia, Unitron, and Widex for mild to severe hearing loss.
Behind-the-Ear (BTE)
The most powerful style we fit. BTE hearing aids sit behind the ear and deliver sound through a tube to a custom ear mold. Behind-the-ear hearing aids offer the longest battery life, the most amplification, and accommodate features like Bluetooth streaming — making them ideal for severe to profound hearing loss, and a frequent choice for pediatric patients at Sound Advice.
In-the-Ear (ITE)
Custom-molded to fill the outer ear bowl, ITE hearing aids are suitable for mild to severe hearing loss. In-the-ear hearing aids are easier to handle and adjust thanks to their larger housing, and they can include volume controls, directional microphones, and wireless connectivity — a strong option for patients who want a one-piece device without a wire behind the ear.
In-the-Canal (ITC)
Custom-fit to sit partially inside the ear canal, ITC hearing aids are smaller and more discreet than ITE models. They work well for mild to moderate hearing loss and strike a balance between discretion, comfort, and easy handling — a popular Sound Advice fit for patients who want something less visible without giving up day-to-day usability.
Completely-in-Canal (CIC)
Fitting entirely inside the ear canal, CIC hearing aids are very discreet — only a small removal handle is visible. They're a popular choice for mild to moderate hearing loss when cosmetic appearance is a priority, though their compact size limits some advanced features. Sound Advice fits CIC devices for patients who prioritize discreet hearing aids over Bluetooth and rechargeability.
Invisible-in-Canal (IIC)
The smallest hearing aids we fit, IIC devices sit deep inside the ear canal and are virtually undetectable to others. Best suited for mild to moderate hearing loss, they're removed daily with a small pull string. If discretion is your top priority, invisible hearing aids in Burbank are the style to consider — Dr. Lew will confirm your ear anatomy can accommodate the fit during your evaluation.
60-Day Satisfaction Guarantee on Every Pair
Every prescription hearing aid fitted at Sound Advice is backed by a 60-day satisfaction guarantee. Wear them at work, at restaurants, in the studio, and at home — if they aren't the right fit after 60 days, bring them back and we'll exchange them for a different model. Real life is the only test that counts.
Find Out What You've Been Missing — Book a Visit.
35 years of honest answers, Dr. Beverly Lew at every visit, and no pressure to buy — just clearer hearing.
Serving Los Angeles, North Hollywood & Burbank
Visit Us in Burbank
Sound Advice is on the first floor of the University of La Verne building in the Burbank media district — wheelchair accessible. Call or request an appointment online.
- Rated 4.9/5 from 158+ Google reviews
- Women-owned practice, est. 1991
- Doctor of Audiology — 30+ years exp
- 60-day satisfaction guarantee
- Wheelchair accessible, on-site parking
“Dr. Lew and her team are exceptional. From the front desk to the testing booth, everyone takes the time to explain what's happening and answer every question. My hearing aids were fitted carefully, and the follow-up visits made all the difference. Honest, thorough, and genuinely caring care.”— Sound Advice patient
Sound Advice
Burbank4001 W Alameda Ave #101, Burbank, CA 91505
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM |
| Thursday | 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Friday | 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Saturday | 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hearing Aid Style FAQs
Common questions about hearing aid styles in Burbank, CA — from BTE and RIC fit to discreet CIC and invisible IIC models — answered by Dr. Beverly Lew, Au.D. at Sound Advice.
At Sound Advice, the smallest hearing aids we fit are invisible-in-canal (IIC) and completely-in-the-canal (CIC) devices. Both sit deep inside the ear canal and are virtually undetectable to others, with only a tiny removal handle visible past the canal opening.
Both styles work well for mild to moderate hearing loss. Their compact housings mean less room for directional microphones or aggressive noise reduction, and their very small batteries change more often than larger devices.
For patients who need more handling room, ITC and ITE hearing aids sit further out in the canal — they're easier to manipulate, their larger batteries replace less frequently, and they're available in rechargeable hearing aids in Burbank options.
Most current RIC and BTE hearing aids fit at Sound Advice include built-in Bluetooth for streaming calls and audio directly from a smartphone, plus rechargeable lithium-ion batteries that last a full day on a single charge. The same is increasingly true of larger custom ITE hearing aids.
Smaller in-the-canal styles — ITC, CIC, and IIC — sometimes omit Bluetooth or rechargeability because the housings are too compact to fit the antenna and cell. If wireless streaming or daily charging is a priority, Dr. Lew will steer you toward styles that support those features without sacrificing fit or comfort, and you can compare options across all five brands we carry — Phonak, ReSound, Signia, Unitron, and Widex — at your fitting.