Hearing Aid Parts Explained: What Each Part Does and How to Care for It

Hearing aids are small, but each one holds a microphone, a processor, a tiny speaker and a power source that work together to make speech clearer. Knowing what each part does makes it easier to care for your hearing aids, order the right supplies and tell us what's wrong when something sounds off.

The Main Parts of a Hearing Aid

Here's what each part does, from the moment sound reaches your hearing aid to the moment you hear it.

1. The microphone

The microphone picks up sound around you. Many hearing aids have more than one microphone, so they can focus on the person in front of you and turn down noise from other directions, which helps in busy restaurants and on city streets.

2. The processor and amplifier

The processor is the hearing aid's computer chip. It sorts speech from noise and the amplifier makes sounds louder by the right amount for each pitch, based on your hearing test. In the newest AI hearing aids, the processor also adjusts automatically as you move from place to place. For example, Starkey Omega AI+ is built on the G4 Gen AI Neuro Processor, Signia Pure Charge&Go MaX uses Acoustic Intelligence with four deep neural networks, and Oticon Reveal uses Dual AI, one AI system to enhance speech and one to keep the surrounding sounds that give it context.

3. The receiver (speaker)

The receiver turns the processed signal back into sound and delivers it into your ear canal. On receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aids it sits at the end of a thin wire inside your ear. Receivers can wear out or get clogged with wax; at HearWell Services a replacement receiver is $125 per receiver, plus the $99 service appointment.

4. The dome or earmold

The dome is the soft tip on the end of the receiver, and an earmold is a custom-made piece shaped to your ear. Either one holds the hearing aid in place and seals in sound. A good fit feels comfortable, sounds clearer and helps prevent whistling. Domes should be replaced regularly; see our hearing aid domes and our guide to dome problems.

5. The wax filter (wax guard)

A tiny filter in the receiver or sound opening keeps earwax out of the speaker. When it clogs, sound can go weak or quiet, so changing it is one of the easiest fixes you can do at home. Shop wax filters by brand, or watch how to change them on our How-To Videos page.

6. The battery

Hearing aids run on either a built-in rechargeable battery or disposable zinc-air batteries. Rechargeable models go in a charger overnight; disposable batteries come in sizes 10, 13, 312 and 675. We carry Power One batteries and chargers for every major brand.

Hearing Aid Parts at a Glance

Where the Parts Sit in Each Style

Every hearing aid has the same basic parts, but where they sit depends on the style:

• Receiver-in-canal (RIC): the microphones, processor and battery sit behind your ear, and the receiver sits in your ear canal at the end of a thin wire. This is the most common style for the newest AI models.
• Behind-the-ear (BTE): everything, including the speaker, sits behind the ear, and sound travels through a tube to a dome or earmold.
• Custom styles (ITE, ITC, CIC, IIC): all the parts are built into a shell made to fit your ear, from a full-shell in-the-ear style down to an invisible-in-canal style. Starkey Omega AI+ comes in custom rechargeable ITE, ITC and CIC styles and an IIC invisible style.

Your hearing test and the shape of your ears help decide which style can work for you.

What's Inside the Newest AI Hearing Aids (2026)

The newest model from each major brand we carry. Every hearing aid price on our site includes the hearing aids and your fitting fee.

ReSound Sensia 9Phonak Eon SphereSignia Pure Charge&Go MaXStarkey Omega AI+Oticon RevealWidex Allure

Want to compare them side by side? Read Which Hearing Aid Brand Is Best? 2026 Comparison of the Newest AI Models, or browse all hearing aids with prices.

Which Hearing Aid Is Right for You?

Your lifestyle, comfort and hearing goals all play a part in choosing a hearing aid. Answer a few quick questions to see which of our hearing aids might suit you.

Accessories That Keep Each Part Working

The right accessories keep each part working and make everyday listening easier:

• Chargers: spare or travel chargers for rechargeable models. Shop chargers
• Domes and wax filters: domes come in packs of 10 for $10 per pack, and wax filters are sold per pack. Shop domes · Shop wax filters
• Cleaning tools: the HearWell hearing aid cleaning kit is $25.
• Remotes and streamers: each brand makes accessories for TV streaming and discreet volume control. See all accessories

Shipping is free on orders over $100, and pickup at our Midtown West office is free. Not sure which part fits your hearing aids? Call (332) 238-1028 and we'll check before you order.

When a Part Needs Attention

Many problems start with wax and debris. Signs a part needs attention:

• No sound, or weaker sound than before (often a clogged wax filter or receiver)
• Whistling or feedback (often a worn dome or a poor fit)
• Sound that cuts in and out, or crackles
• A hearing aid that won't charge, or batteries that drain fast

Here's how we can help, with prices posted up front:

• Deep cleaning at the Cleaning Bar: $65 flat, any brand, walk-ins welcome at 237 W 35th St, Suite 702A.
• Repairs: the service appointment is $99, and parts are additional. Repairs sent to the manufacturer have a $25 shipping and processing fee, in or out of warranty.
• Remote help: a 20-minute Zoom consultation for Bluetooth pairing, syncing or cleaning questions is $50.
• Free manufacturer tech support lines: each brand has a free US support line for accessories, product information and Bluetooth pairing. The numbers are listed on our hearing aid repair page.

Frequently asked questions

Questions about a part or accessory? Call (332) 238-1028 or email [email protected].