Mon–Sat: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM  •  RCI-Certified Audiologists [📞 +91-9811418578](tel:9811418578) [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/FairfieldClinicDelhi/) [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/fairfieldhearingclinics/) [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@FairfieldHearingClinic) [Home](/)  /  [Blog](/blogs)  /  [Buying Guides](/blogs/buying-guides) Buying Guides 07 Aug 2026 · 5 min read # How to Choose the Right RIC Hearing Aid (2026 Receiver Guide) Written by [Shahabuddin Khan](/team/shahabuddin-khan), Director · Hearing Care Professional · Medically reviewed by [Dr. Nayeem Ahmad Siddiqui](/team/dr-nayeem-ahmad-siddiqui) · Updated 07 Aug 2026 *A Simple, Evidence-Based Buyer's Guide for India (2026)* *Written by Shahabuddin Khan, Director  •  Medically reviewed by Dr. Nayeem Ahmad Siddiqui, Senior ENT Surgeon (MBBS, DLO, DNB)* Fairfield Hearing Clinics, New Delhi  •  Updated August 2026  •  Reading time ~10 minutes ## Key takeaways   ### Not sure which hearing aid is right for you? Get a free hearing test and an honest, expert recommendation — with a no-obligation trial. [Book Your Free Test](/book-a-test) Frequently asked questions What does RIC mean in a hearing aid? + RIC means Receiver-In-Canal. The receiver is the small speaker of the hearing aid, and in a RIC device it sits inside your ear canal, connected to the main body by a thin wire. What do S, M, P and HP or UP mean on a RIC receiver? + They are power levels of the receiver: Standard (S) for mild-to-moderate loss, Medium (M) for moderate loss, Power (P) for moderately-severe to severe loss, and High-Power (HP) or Ultra Power (UP) for severe loss. Your audiologist chooses the right one from your hearing test [2]. Can I change the receiver power myself? + No. The receiver must match your hearing test, and the hearing aid has to be re-programmed when it is changed. Only a qualified audiologist should do this [2]. Are domes or custom earmolds better for a RIC? + Neither is “better” in general. Domes are quick and natural-feeling and suit milder losses; custom earmolds seal better and suit stronger losses or when domes cause whistling [3]. How long does a RIC receiver last? + With good care, usually about one to two years. Wax and moisture shorten its life, so wax guards and a nightly drying box help a lot [2]. Is a RIC good for severe hearing loss? + Often yes — with a Power (P) or High-Power (HP) receiver and usually a custom earmold. For very profound loss, an audiologist may instead recommend a Behind-The-Ear (BTE) device. #### Shahabuddin Khan Director · Hearing Care Professional [View profile →](/team/shahabuddin-khan) Related articles Hearing Loss & Conditions ### [Hearing Loss and Dementia: Can Treating Hearing Loss Help Protect Your Brain?](/blogs/hearing-loss/hearing-loss-and-dementia) Can treating hearing loss protect your brain? Based on current research, the honest answer is: it may help. Hearing loss... 01 Aug 2026 · 5 min read Buying Guides ### ["Best Hearing Aids for Severe Hearing Loss in India (2026): RIC vs Power BTE Compared — Widex, Phonak, ReSound, Signia & Bernafon"](/blogs/buying-guides/best-hearing-aids-severe-hearing-loss-india) For severe hearing loss (71–90 dB HL), the best options are high-power RIC/RIE hearing aids with a UP (ultra-power) rece... 30 Jul 2026 · 5 min read ## Have a hearing question? Book a free, no-obligation hearing test with our RCI-certified audiologists. [Book Your Free Test](/book-a-test) [📞 Call +91-9811418578](tel:+919811418578)