Which type of hearing aid benefits from concha and external ear canal resonances?

The correct answer is that RIC (Receiver-In-Canal) or RITE (Receiver-In-The-Ear) hearing aids with an open dome benefit from concha and external ear canal resonances. This type of hearing aid design allows sounds to enter the ear canal freely, which makes the natural resonances of the concha (the outer part of the ear) and ear canal enhance the overall sound quality and listening experience.

In this setup, the open dome allows natural sounds to mix with those amplified by the hearing aid, utilizing the natural acoustics of the ear. The unique shape and characteristics of the concha and ear canal can enhance certain frequencies, making sounds appear more natural and clearer to the individual wearing the hearing aid. This is especially beneficial for individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss, where preserving the natural hearing characteristics is important for a comfortable listening experience.

In contrast, other types such as BTEs with custom earmolds, ITEs, and IICs do not leverage these resonances as effectively, often because their designs either occlude the ear canal or do not allow for the same interaction with natural acoustics. Earmolds can create a closed system, which dampens the natural resonances, whereas ITEs