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Receiver-in-Ear (RIE) hearing aids

Receiver-in-Ear hearing aids (RIE hearing aids) are the most popular type of hearing aids. They can also be called receiver in canal hearing aids, RIC hearing aids or RITE hearing aids.

What do you need to know about Receiver-in-Ear hearing aids?

RIE hearing aids are small, discreet and very versatile. These digital hearing aids - which people also refer to as 'Bluetooth hearing aids' - typically offer great connectivity and audio streaming from everyday devices, e.g. smartphones and TVs. They also work with hearing aid accessories and apps. Rechargeable hearing aids are very convenient, giving you power without battery worries, and they are available in the RIE hearing aid style.

Design-wise, RIE hearing aids sit behind the ear. Traditionally, microphones in the main body of the hearing aids send sounds down through a thin, virtually invisible tubing, curving discreetly around the back of your ears, into a receiver covered with a comfortable dome. The dome-covered receiver sits in your ear canal. That is why Receiver-in-Ear hearing aids also belong to the ‘in ear’ hearing aids category, i.e. the sound processing takes place in your ear.

Receiver in the ear hearing aids | ReSound
What does a hearing aid microphone do?
Microphones in hearing aids pick up sounds in your environment and convert the sound waves into electrical signals, ready to be sent to and amplified by the hearing aid receiver.
What does receiver mean?
A hearing aid receiver works as your ears’ own speaker system. It plays the amplified sounds received from the microphone in your ear, and your brain gives the sounds context. 
What is a hearing aid dome?
A dome is a little plastic or silicone attachment that helps funnel the sound through to the ear and anchor the hearing aid onto the ear. 
How small are RIE hearing aids?
Receiver-in-Ear hearing aids are known for being small and hardy noticeable, and sizes vary. Mini RIE hearing aids are extra small. For instance, the ReSound LiNX Quattro™ mini RIE hearing aid is only 24.8 mm in length – shorter than a pen cap.
Learn more about ReSound LiNX Quattro
M&RIE
The new Microphone & Receiver-In-Ear hearing aids

The best hearing aids can sound so natural that you don’t really feel like you are wearing them at all. They do that by collecting sound with microphones, just like one your favorite singer might use.

ReSound ONE™ with M&RIE (Microphone and Receiver-In-Ear) uniquely uses three microphones to pick up voices and the sounds of your life.

 

The third microphone is placed in the ear to capture sound organically, so you hear naturally! 

Microphone & Receiver in the ear hearing aids | ReSound
Learn more about M&RIE:
What’s the difference between RIE & M&RIE hearing aids?

Standard RIE hearing aids position microphones on top of the main body of the design. Sound is first collected behind your ears, and then channelled into your ear canal.

M&RIE hearing aids have an extra microphone, which is placed with a receiver in your ear. Together they utilise the unique shape of your pinna (the curved part of your ear) to organically collect sound in your ear. Two microphones on top of the M&RIE hearing aids also collect sounds around you, so you get three mics on each hearing aid.
Digital hearing aids- RIE style | ReSound
Comparison between RIE and BTE hearing aids 
Receiver-in-Ear hearing aids (RIE hearing aids) and Behind-the-Ear hearing aids (BTE hearing aids) both sit behind the ear and have a thin, wrap-around, transparent tube running to the ear canal. These types of hearing aids also have subtle differences, which are important to consider.
Digital hearing aids- RIE style | ReSound
RIE hearing aids

On RIE hearing aids, the receiver, i.e. your speaker system, sits directly in your ear.

RIE hearing aids usually have a small plastic or silicone dome covering the receiver that sits in your ear canal.

RIE hearing aids are suitable for many types of hearing loss.

Digital hearing aids - bte styles | ReSound
BTE hearing aids

BTE hearing aids house the receiver in the main body of the hearing aid.

BTE hearing aids can use custom-made earmoulds (an earpiece) or domes that sit snugly in your ear, providing amplified sound and preventing whistling sounds.

BTE hearing aids tend to be the preferred solution for people with severe to profound hearing loss, as well as those susceptible to ear infections and earwax build-up.

10 Reasons why Receiver-in-Ear hearing aids could be ideal for you:

  1. Less chance of feedback sounds (whistling)
  2. Good at amplifying high-pitches of sounds
  3. Give you a clearer, natural sound quality
  4. Small, discreet, lightweight, and easy to wear
  5. Straightforward to fit by a hearing care professional
  6. Numerous microphones help with best features for hearing in noise
  7. A choice of many colours, from statement tones to ‘blend-in’ neutrals
  8. Receivers, earmoulds and domes are replaceable at a hearing clinic
  9. Rechargeable RIE hearing aid options with convenient, portable chargers
  10. Suitable for many types of hearing loss
    RIE hearing aids by ReSound
    Be inspired by our latest Receiver-in-Ear hearing aids and find your perfect design.

    ReSound Nexia

    Enjoying conversations can be difficult when everyday life is filled with noise. ReSound Nexia™ starts a new era for hearing technology, combining proven performance with cutting-edge features that revolutionise the way we experience sound.

    See ReSound Nexia

    ReSound OMNIA

    You can hear all the details you couldn’t before in noisy situations. Automatically tune in to what’s happening around you, from any direction. You can also choose custom-made ReSound OMNIA™ hearing aids. Select our smallest style yet that hides in your ears or rechargeable designs that look like earbuds.

    See ReSound OMNIA
    ReSound Key RIE hearing aids on a table
    ReSound Key
    Welcome to great hearing with our everyday hearing essentials, including a rechargeable design. Using the latest Bluetooth technology, directly stream calls and music, and connect to wireless accessories.
    Explore ReSound Key
    Other ReSound hearing aid styles
    As well as RIE hearing aids and M&RIE hearing aids, there are also Behind-the-Ear (BTE) styles and custom ‘in-ear’ hearing aids, which are almost invisible.
    Digital hearing aids - bte styles | ReSound
    Behind-the-Ear hearing aids
    Mild, moderate, severe or profound hearing loss, our BTE hearing aids come in a wide range of styles, power levels, and connectivity options to suit your individual needs.
    Explore BTE hearing aids
    Digital hearing aids - custom styles | ReSound
    Custom hearing aids
    Invisible-in-Canal (IIC), Completely-in-Canal (CIC), In-the-Canal (ITC) and In-the-Ear (ITE) – made to measure your ears. Which is your favourite small, smart custom hearing aid?
    Browse custom hearing aids
    How to move forward with your hearing 

    Now you know what your options for hearing aids are, the next step is to see a hearing care professional. They can help you narrow down your search and find the best hearing aid for you, your lifestyle, and your style. They will also fit and fine-tune your hearing aids. 

    Find a hearing care professional to get digital hearing aids for RIE style