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

M&RIE is our revolutionary new type of hearing aid innovation that takes Receiver-in-Ear hearing aids to another dimension. An extra microphone and a receiver, covered together with a comfortable dome to match your hearing type, are placed inside your ear canal. The magic then happens inside your ears.

M&RIE hearing aids use the unique anatomy of your ears to collect sound organically, the way nature intended. The result is great natural sound quality that is individualised to you. The unique Microphone & Receiver-In-Ear design is available exclusively with ReSound ONE hearing aids.
Experience ReSound ONE
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

    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 and rechargeability 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), In-the-Ear (ITE) and Mic-in-Helix – made to measure your ears. Which is your favourite small, smart custom hearing aid?
    Browse custom hearing aids
    Accessories for digital hearing hearing aids | ReSound

    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 your local hearing care professional to book an appointment
    Find a hearing care professional to get digital hearing aids for RIE style