The Behind the Ear (BTE) hearing aids are housed in a curved case that fits neatly and comfortably behind your ear. The hearing aid picks up sound, amplifies it and carries the amplified sound to an ear mold that fits inside your ear canal. A custom ear mold is made to the exact shape of your ear. The custom ear mold directs the sound from the hearing aid into your ear and secures the hearing aid in place.
A Behind the Ear hearing aid is the largest, most visible type of hearing aid. This could be seen as a draw back for some. Many of our patients prefer their hearing aids to be barely visible. They are also particularly vulnerable to sweat and wax build up. It is important to keep your hearing aids clean to have them run properly. I have also heard some complain of feeling "plugged-up" from the earmold. If this is a concern for you, ask about having your BTE vented.
As the world's most popular style, there are some clear advantages to this hearing aid. For many, versatility makes it a popular choice. This style is appropriate for a wide range of hearing losses and age groups. They are even a good fit for children. Because the main components are housed outside of the ear, these aids tend to be more durable. With that, they need less repairs and have a longer life expectancy. Traditionally, their size has allowed them to provide the most amplification. With ever-changing technology, other options have been developed which allow similar styles to surpass the BTE in power. This is accomplished through purchasing additional power molds that can be added onto a similar style of hearing aid: Receiver in the Canal. We will take a closer look at this style next post.
No comments:
Post a Comment