Hearing aids worn behind the ear have definite benefits over other hearing aid designs. BTE hearing aids are an obvious and sensible option if you want better technology, more sound amplification, a longer battery life, greater comfort, or a lower price tag. Hearing aids worn behind the ear come in a variety of sizes and forms. When your hair covers the back of your ears, some are so tiny and practically invisible, while others are larger to make room for the larger and more powerful components needed for specific characteristics.
The distinguishing characteristic of BTE hearing aids is the transparent plastic tubing that fits over your ear. It joins into a point that cradles the ear canal with ease. The tube and tip of a BTE hearing aid are electrically free, in contrast to RIC hearing aids (which have a small speaker in the tip). They merely act as a conduit for the hearing aid noises to enter your ear.
BTEs can typically be fitted with a custom ear mold that fits the particular contours of your ear canal if an even tighter fit is needed or desired. These are available from local hearing aid providers or from an internet retailer.
Let's review the distinctive features of BTE hearing aids. Principal ideas in this section:
All of the device's parts, including the entire aid, lie behind the ear.
- Sound enters the auditory canal through a transparent tube that covers the ear.
- Big enough to accommodate more powerful batteries and advanced components.
- Can address the broadest spectrum of hearing loss issues, including severe hearing loss.
- The settings are simple to change and to place on and take off.
Components of behind-the-ear hearing aids
The majority of BTE hearing devices have the following useful parts:
1. Microphones: A microphone is a device that records sound and converts it into electronic sound impulses. Multiple microphone ports are common in BTE hearing aids, which enables the device to concentrate on sound originating from a particular source.
2. Amplifier: The amplifier boosts and cuts various frequencies by using the sound signals from the microphone to adjust the sound so that you can hear it more distinctly.
3. Processor: The processor is a very small computer device that regulates the hearing aid and its amplifier, enables you to change settings, and adjusts sound to your specific hearing loss profile.
4. Speaker : It also known as the "receiver," converts the digital sound signals from the amplifier into audible noises that can be heard by your ears.Many BTE hearing aids have straightforward volume and/or program controls that let you change the hearing aids' audio parameters.
5. Battery: The hearing aid battery provides electricity to the device, whether it is rechargeable or disposable. Disposable batteries typically last a week or longer, while rechargeable batteries typically need to be charged once daily.
6. Thin tubing: The thin tubing is an air channel that carries sounds from the hearing aid to the ear. It is made of transparent plastic and fits over the ear.
7. Tip: The tip connects to the end of the thin tubing and inserts into the ear canal to transmit sound to the ear, whether it be a ComfortTIP, dome, or custom ear mold.
How important is hearing aid size?
The hearing aid industry's main emphasis is creating better, more potent versions of the aforementioned parts. Another key objective is to keep making them smaller and smaller. However, smaller hearing aids are more costly and difficult to use because smaller components are required as hearing aids get smaller. On the path to micronization, extra-mini, invisible-in-the-canal (IIC), and completely-in-the-canal (CIC) hearing aids (like Eargo) might have to forgo cutting-edge tech features and hearing therapy quality.
Hearing Aids with BTE: Benefits
Here are some of the key benefits of BTE hearing devices over other types:
1. More space to accommodate advanced features and technology
BTE hearing aids have a lot more room for extra technological features because they rest behind the ear. For instance, it's simpler to add Bluetooth connectivity, additional microphones, and a powerful processor to a BTE hearing aid than it is to do so in an ITE (in-the-ear) hearing aid with limited room.
2. More affordable
Smaller versions of the same technology are more costly than larger versions, and smaller ITE (in-the-ear) devices frequently cannot handle the most cutting-edge technology. Is spending thousands of dollars more to have a device that is only a few millimeters smaller worth it, even if it has similar technology?
3. Speakers with Greater Impact (Receivers)
BTEs can accommodate larger, more potent speakers (also known as "receivers") thanks to their greater size. Because of this, BTE versions of hearing aids are frequently used by those with profound hearing loss.
4. Extended-Life Batteries
You won't need to replace or recharge your batteries as frequently with BTE hearing aids because they can accommodate bigger, longer-lasting batteries. Stronger cells also supply the additional power needed for greater sound amplification.
5. It's simpler to maintain and clean
BTE hearing aids are simple to keep and clean. One reason is that all of the electrical parts and microphone ports are located behind the ears, where they are better shielded from earwax buildup, dirt, and other impurities. The receiver and microphone openings are less likely to become clogged with earwax and dirt, extending the lifespan of the hearing aids. With the wire cleaning tool that comes standard with BTE-style devices, the transparent tubing is simple to clean.
6. Convenient to Wear
BTE hearing devices are still very discreet, light, and cozy to wear. Additionally, you might find them to be significantly more comfortable than in-the-ear hearing aid models because the complete device does not insert into your ear.
It's ideal to keep yourself as educated with your hearing aids and a new breakthrough in the technology. Ask your query via Book an Appointment today. For more information visit https://hearing.careinc.ca or you can call us today at (403)605-6300