RIC
Pronunciation: R-I-C (spelled out)
Also written as: RIC — Receiver-in-Canal
A hearing aid style in which the receiver (speaker) is housed in the ear canal rather than in the behind-the-ear casing, connected by a thin electrical wire.
Full Definition
A receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aid places the miniature loudspeaker (receiver) directly in the ear canal, connected to the main body of the device worn behind the ear via a thin wire. This design reduces the distance sound must travel, minimises acoustic feedback, and allows for a smaller, more cosmetically appealing device. RIC devices are often fitted with non-custom domes rather than earmoulds, making them suited to mild-to-moderate high-frequency hearing losses. Editors should note that 'RIC' and 'RITE' (receiver-in-the-ear) are used interchangeably by different manufacturers; editorial consistency must be maintained. Both differ from 'BTE' (behind-the-ear) where the receiver is housed in the casing.
Usage
Usage note: RIC and RITE are manufacturer-specific terms for the same style; flag interchangeable use and standardise within a document. Distinguish from BTE, where the receiver remains in the ear-level casing.
In Context
- "The patient was fitted with a bilateral RIC configuration using open domes to maximise naturalness of low-frequency sounds." — Hearing aid fitting report
- "RIC devices have become the most commonly dispensed style in many countries due to their compact design and flexibility." — Audiology industry white paper