I worked this up on another forum, with advice from participants. Perhaps it will help you understand the difficulties with your current CIC aids.
BTE=behind the ear RIC= behind the ear with sound production in the ear; ITE= full shell in concha, very obvious; ITC=in the canal, less obvious; CIC= completely in the canal, invisible but very miniaturized.
Advantages of BTE and RIC HA's:
1. More headroom for further loss.
2. You can place the temples of your glasses over the tube, but under the aid itself. This will give you an increased sense of security. If you keep your sunglasses on, that will also work.
3. Wax is not problem. Admittedly, salty sweat can be a problem with BTE's. Can be alleviated if you use a drier and have aids marked as water resistant.
4. Directional microphones.
5. Make adjustments of volume and programs in many cases without having to fool around with a remote.
6. T-coil gives better access to telephone.
7. Can be used with t-coil earhooks, Bluetooth, and other devices for listening to media.
8. Vanity is for fools.
9. Less occlusion problems.
10. Can have larger batteries which last longer.
11. If you have manual dexterity problems, less of a problem.
12. Placement is not as much of a problem.
13. More electronics, more programs, more gadgetry can be put into a larger aid if you want such things.
14. Not as visible as you might think, especially with open fit, tiny ones for minimal loss, and RIC. If your loss is so severe that other adaptations need to happen, you can decorate them to make them obvious.
15. Related to number 3. Audiologists note that RIC CIC,and ITC hearing aids have a higher repair rate than straightforward BTE's. Rain, of course, can be a problem with BTE's, but this problem can be eliminated by carrying a headcover, or removing them when going out in the rain.
16. Generally, more miniaturization means a higher price. Thus, BTE and ITE aids are less expensive, while ITC and CIC are more expensive.