CIC Hearing Aid or MicroRIE: Which Small Style Suits You?

AudiologyOctober 13, 20268 min read

A CIC hearing aid (completely-in-canal) sits inside the ear canal with nothing behind the ear, while a MicroRIE places a small case behind the ear and a receiver in the canal. In our Danavox catalogue the CIC option is the two KLAR CIC models, which use size 10 zinc-air batteries and are non-wireless. The MicroRIE option is six rechargeable models in the Astro Pro and Brisa families, which list LE Audio and Auracast; Brisa also lists hands-free calls. Which one suits you depends on your hearing test, the shape of your ear canal and how much you value wireless features over having nothing behind the ear.

Both styles appeal to people who want discreet hearing aids, so they are often weighed against each other. This article compares them using the published catalogue and reputable sources; for a wider look at small styles, see our guide to small and nearly invisible hearing aids. The final choice is always made with the audiologist after a hearing test in Muscat.

What is a CIC hearing aid?

A completely-in-canal hearing aid is a small custom device worn in the ear canal. Our hearing aids page describes it as a "nearly invisible device worn deep in the ear canal". Because it is custom-made, the fitting may include taking an impression of your ear, and not every ear canal is large or straight enough to hold one comfortably.

NIDCD (part of the US National Institutes of Health) says canal aids are used for mild to moderately severe hearing loss. It also notes that their small size leaves less space for batteries and additional devices such as a telecoil, that they may be difficult to adjust and remove, and that they are generally not recommended for young children or for people with severe to profound hearing loss.

What is a MicroRIE?

RIE stands for receiver-in-ear, a design also called RIC (receiver-in-canal). A small case containing the microphones, processor and battery sits behind the ear, and a thin wire carries sound to a receiver placed in the ear canal, held by a dome or a custom tip. "MicroRIE" is the name Danavox uses for a receiver-in-ear style in the Astro Pro and Brisa families. Because the receiver can be chosen separately, a MicroRIE can be matched to different degrees of hearing loss using the receiver options listed in the catalogue.

The two KLAR CIC models

XC3CIC: Essential technology level, 8 channels, size 10 zinc-air battery
XC4CIC: Essential Plus technology level, 12 channels, size 10 zinc-air battery

The catalogue notes for both: cabled fitting required, receiver options LP, MP and HP, and IP68 certification. The portfolio describes these models as non-wireless, so the phone streaming and Auracast features listed for the KLAR family do not apply to them. They are the only CIC models in our Danavox catalogue; details are on the KLAR family page.

The six MicroRIE models

Astro Pro MicroRIE (3 models)

XG560S-DRWC: Select, 12 channels, rechargeable
XG760S-DRWC: Advanced, 14 channels, rechargeable
XG960S-DRWC: Premium, 17 channels, rechargeable

The catalogue notes list TapControl with the microRIE, receiver options MM, LP, MP, HP and UP, a programmable push button or toggle, IP68 certification and exchangeable microphone filters. Danavox describes Astro Pro as the "smallest AI hearing aid in the world", "preferred for hearing in noise" and "made for Auracast"; these are the manufacturer's statements. For connectivity, the catalogue lists Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) Audio and Auracast and the BeMore app with Auracast Assistant, and states that iPhone 11 or later or Bluetooth 5.3 devices are required. See the Astro Pro family page.

Brisa MicroRIE (3 models)

XF560S-DRWC: Select, 12 channels, rechargeable
XF760S-DRWC: Advanced, 14 channels, rechargeable
XF960S-DRWC: Premium, 17 channels, rechargeable

The notes list TapControl with the microRIE, receiver options MM, LP, MP, HP and UP, a programmable push button or toggle and IP68 certification. Danavox describes Brisa as the "smallest rechargeable RIE style". The catalogue lists LE Audio and Auracast broadcast audio, hands-free calls from iPhone, iPad and compatible Android devices, and TapControl for call pick-up on iPhone and iPad. See the Brisa family page.

Both families also include a CROS transmitter in RIC form (Astro Pro XG160S-DRWC and Brisa XF160S-DRWC). These are transmitters for hearing loss in one ear, not hearing aids, so they are not counted among the six MicroRIE models.

CIC vs MicroRIE, point by point

Where it sits and how it looks

The CIC sits entirely in the ear canal with nothing behind the ear. The MicroRIE has a small case behind the ear and a thin wire in front. We do not rank the two by size: the catalogue gives no dimensions, and the size claims above are Danavox's own descriptions of their families.

Battery

The KLAR CIC models use size 10 zinc-air batteries that you replace. All six MicroRIE models are rechargeable. If small batteries are hard for you to handle, this difference matters in daily life.

Wireless features

The KLAR CIC models are non-wireless. The MicroRIE models list LE Audio and Auracast, and the Brisa MicroRIE models also list hands-free calls. If you want wireless calls in your hearing aids, or plan to use accessories such as a TV streamer or remote microphone, this points towards a MicroRIE.

Technology levels and receivers

The CIC models come in Essential and Essential Plus (8 or 12 channels) with LP, MP and HP receivers. The MicroRIE models come in Select, Advanced and Premium (12, 14 or 17 channels) with MM, LP, MP, HP and UP receivers.

Ear shape, wax and handling

A CIC must fit your ear canal, and it may be harder to insert, remove and clean, especially with limited finger movement or eyesight. A MicroRIE also has a part in the canal that needs regular cleaning of its dome and wax guard, but the case behind the ear is what you hold when putting it on.

Who may each style suit?

General starting points only, not recommendations:

A CIC may be worth discussing if your hearing test shows mild to moderately severe hearing loss, your ear canal can hold one, you do not need streaming, and having nothing behind the ear matters to you, for example with glasses or a headscarf.
A MicroRIE may be worth discussing if you want a rechargeable hearing aid, LE Audio and Auracast, a wider choice of technology levels, or if your ear canal is not suited to a CIC.
Neither may be right if your hearing loss is severe to profound; then the audiologist may discuss more powerful behind-the-ear styles.

The audiologist confirms the final choice during a Danavox hearing aid fitting consultation. As NIDCD notes, a hearing aid will not restore normal hearing, and follow-up adjustments help you get used to whichever style you choose.

We do not publish prices. What changes the price is technology level, style, rechargeable or battery power, one or two hearing aids, and accessories. You can request a quote or book an assessment.

Frequently asked questions

Is a CIC hearing aid invisible?

It is among the least visible styles because it sits in the ear canal, but how much shows depends on your ear shape. Our hearing aids page describes it as "nearly invisible", not invisible.

Is there a rechargeable CIC in your catalogue?

No. The two KLAR CIC models, XC3CIC and XC4CIC, use size 10 zinc-air batteries. The MicroRIE models in Astro Pro and Brisa are rechargeable.

Can a CIC stream phone calls?

The KLAR CIC models are non-wireless, so they do not stream calls or music. If wireless features matter to you, the MicroRIE models list LE Audio and Auracast, and Brisa also lists hands-free calls.

Can anyone wear a CIC hearing aid?

No. Your ear canal must be large and straight enough, and NIDCD describes canal aids as used for mild to moderately severe hearing loss and generally not for young children. A hearing test and ear check come first.

Book an appointment

Start with a hearing test and an ear check. Book an appointment or call or WhatsApp +968 9171 8373. Our clinic is in Bousher, Muscat, opposite Oman Mall, and you do not need a referral. The audiologist will tell you whether a CIC or a MicroRIE fits your results during a Danavox hearing aid fitting visit.

Sources

NIDCD (NIH) — Hearing aids
Danavox KLAR, Astro Pro and Brisa portfolio as published in our hearing aids catalogue on this site.

This article is general information and does not replace advice from a qualified professional.

Hearing Aid Selection, Fitting, Programming & Follow-up