Understanding BTE Hearing Aids

Following your hearing examination, one of the primary roles of your hearing health professional is to help you choose the best kind of hearing aid available. This will involve looking at the three most common categories. While each category has subcategories worth exploring further, here we’re going to look at what you need to know about behind the ear devices.

About BTE hearing aids

These devices are designed to fit behind the outer ear. There are two pieces to these devices, the shell that rests behind the air and contains all the amplification power, the microphone, and the settings, and the receiver that extends to just inside the ear canal, connected by thin, translucent tubing. In the past, BTE hearing aids were quite large, but advances in technology have been helping them become more discreet. As the most versatile and popular kind of hearing aid, they’re suitable for those with mild to moderate hearing loss.

The advantages of BTE hearing aids

As versatile as they are and as wide a range of hearing loss that they can help with, BTE hearing aids can be used by many and are generally less expensive than other kinds. The larger size of them and the manual controls on the shell can make them better suited to small children or adults who aren’t as dextrous. What’s more, they’re much less prone to needing repairs and are much easier to clean, since they mostly sit outside the ear and thus have less contact with earwax, moisture, and grease. As such, they tend to last longer. They also have fewer issues with feedback, since there’s more space between the receiver and the microphone.

The disadvantages of BTE hearing aids

All hearing aids have their drawbacks, and BTE devices are no exception. For one, while they are becoming more discreet, they are still generally more noticeable than in the ear and invisible in the canal hearing aids. What’s more, while there are exceptions, they’re generally not as powerful as other devices, meaning they may not be suitable for those with more severe hearing loss. Lastly, they are prone to suffering from wind noise, so wind noise reduction might be a feature worth investing in.

Common features in BTE devices

Like all hearing aids, BTE devices are highly customisable, helping you find the one that best fits your specific needs. For those with severe hearing loss, RITC devices are a type of BTE hearing with a receiver that goes deep into the canal. BTE devices also frequently come with telecoil systems that can connect to inductive loop fields, making it easier to better hear in public spaces like churches and banks.

When choosing a device, it’s always best to do with the help of your hearing health professional. After learning your level of hearing loss, as well as your specific needs and lifestyle, they can help apply their knowledge of the market to ensure you find the device best suited to you as an individual. They’re also a constant source of helpful advice on acclimating to and maintaining your hearing aid.