BTE (Behind The ear) hearing aid

The BTE hearing aid remains the most popular hearing aid in use today and there are a number of very good reasons for this. These range from its effectiveness to its practicality and robustness. It is also the cheapest type of modern hearing aid.

How it fits and works

The BTE aid has all of its electronics, battery and amplification housed in a sealed contoured shell section that sits behind the ear. This section is strong durable and normally skin toned, however a number of these aids are now available in different colours and with more modern shaped and profiled casings. BTE's of this type tend to appeal to the younger generation.

The shape of the BTE's body sees it hook gently around the top of the ear and then curve around the ear resting between the back of the ear and the side of the head. Its light weight means that its presence is soon forgotten about.

From the main body of the BTE hearing aid, a very narrow tube runs to an ear mould that either sits in the hollow of the ear (similar to an ITE aid), or fits into the ear canal (like an ITC aid). In both instances the amplified sound is passed from the main shell to the ear mould by the tube. In modern BTE's these tubes have a very small diameter and a not normally noticeable.

Advantages and other features

The BTE aid is probably the most durable hearing aid type. It is not easily damaged and its comparatively large size means that it cannot be easily misplaced or lost when not in use.

Despite its size, the BTE's positioning behind the ear, combined with its almost invisible tube, mean that it is almost invisible. For a lady (or a man) with long hair this type of hearing aid will not be visible.

A big advantage of the BTE hearing aid is that the large available shell size for electronics and battery mean that it is capable of providing a greater hearing amplification than any other hearing aid type. This means that, for those with a severe hearing loss requiring a high level of amplification, it may be the only viable option.

BTE devices are commonly used for the young and the elderly. In the case of the elderly it is because of the enhanced amplification advantages and, in the case of the young, it is because they are less easily damaged and the replacement of ear moulds (for growing ears) is simpler and cheaper than for the other alternatives, e.g. ITC.

Disadvantages

In terms of practical use the BTE has little if any failings. However, some people object to its larger size and the fact that it fits outside-of, rather than inside-of, the ear. Consequently, its main disadvantage results from human vanity.