Why choose a BTE hearing aid?

Behind-the-ear hearing aids, also known as BTEs, are a popular type of hearing aid for various reasons.

They're appropriate for people of all ages and offer many features and benefits.

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What is a Behind-The-Ear (BTE) hearing aid?

A BTE hearing aid is a hearing aid that fits behind the ear with a tube that sends sound into the ear canal.

It consists of three main parts:

- The earmold (custom-made to fit the contours of your ear),
- The tubing (runs between the hearing aid and the earmold)
- The body of the hearing aid (that sits behind the ear)

BTEs are often recommended for people with severe or profound hearing loss because they can accommodate high-powered amplification.

Additionally, children with hearing loss tend to wear BTEs due to the ease of fit as they grow.

BTEs are slightly larger than receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aids, and the device's larger size allows them to provide more volume.

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Who can wear a BTE?

These hearing aids are an excellent option for those with more severe hearing loss. 

However, even if you don't have severe hearing loss, you may still opt for a BTE because they offer great features and benefits that other types of hearing aids may not.

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For example, BTEs are large enough to house Bluetooth connectivity, telecoil features, and Smartphone app connectivity (most RIC hearing aids also support these features). Depending on the size, smaller custom hearing aids do not have these features available.

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BTEs can be worn by people of all ages, including children as young as 1 or 2 years old. They're often the first hearing aid prescribed to infants and young children with hearing loss. This is because BTEs can be fit with an earmold that can be replaced as they grow.

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Children may require additional accessories or tips to help hearing aids stay in place. For example, these headbands or pilot caps come in fun colors and help to keep the hearing aids comfortably in place. 

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If you're unsure whether a BTE is suitable for you or your child, consult our specialist at Crystal Hearing.