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Hearing loss
Understanding hearing loss
Types of hearing loss
Sudden hearing loss
Tinnitus
Causes and symptoms
Prevention and treatment
Expertise
Professional hearing advice
Hearing test
Audiogram
About hearing aids
How hearing aids work
Modern hearing aids
Technology and performance options
Types of hearing aid
Hearing aid advice & care
Hearing aid brands
Popular brands
Phonak
AudioNova
Unitron
Starkey
Widex
Advanced Bionics
Batteries, accessories and hearing protection
Hearing Accessories
Hearing protection
Everyday Listening Products
Cost of hearing aids
Hearing aid financing
Hearing aid offers & promotions
Blog overview
Categories
Hearing & Hearing Loss
Hearing Aids & Technologies
Hearing Protection
Fun & Informative
Hearing Loss in Children
Hearing Health
News & Updates
Tinnitus
Recommended Articles
Can untreated diabetes mean reduced hearing?
Read more
One Month with Lumity Hearing Aids
Read more
Storefront
Buy hearing aid batteries, accessories and other devices online from Connect Hearing
Shop now
Types of hearing aid
Home
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Cost of hearing aids
About hearing aids
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Modern hearing aids
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Types of hearing aid
Behind-the-Ear (BTE)
Receiver-in-Canal (RIC)
In-the-Ear (ITE)
Invisible-in-Canal (Lyric)
Behind-the-Ear (BTE)
Behind-the-Ear (BTE)
This hearing aid is traditionally the most powerful and rests on the back of the outer ear.
The most familiar hearing aid style, Behind-The-Ear (BTE) aids, are housed in a durable case that rests on the back of the outer ear. These aids are suitable for the widest range of hearing loss, including profound hearing loss. While the larger size BTEs allow for more power and features, the smallest ones, mini BTEs, are practically invisible when worn.
Description
Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids are versatile devices suitable for a wide range of hearing loss, and are available in various sizes.
With the BTE models, sound is transmitted into the ear through a very discreet tube, which leads into a customized earmold. Because they are larger, BTE models have more space for electronic components than other types of hearing aids, giving them more room to house additional features and deliver advanced performance for a wider range of hearing loss types. Additionally, BTEs are comfortable, easy to mold, and easy for caretakers to assist with and maneuver.
Advantages
Easy to handle, insert and adjust
Suitable for all levels of hearing loss
Can fit many features
Larger batteries for longer battery life
Space for larger and more powerful batteries
Larger program selection buttons that are easier to operate
Open fitting
Connection to radios and TV sets via an audio shoe, wireless reception via induction, radio and infra-red signals, or Bluetooth
Disadvantages
More visible than smaller models
More sensitive to wind
Less suitable for people who wear eyeglasses
Prevents use of the natural functions of the concha
Less discreet
Structure of a BTE hearing aid
The latest hearing aids are small and delicate. This makes them highly discreet. The housings are available in various colors. Water, sweat and dust-resistant models are available for athletes. There are even specially designed hearing aids for swimmers. These work down to a depth of one meter.
All hearing aids feature the same main components. A behind-the-ear hearing aid, for example, has the following functions:
Microphone – Picks up sounds and converts them into electrical signals
Amplifier – Increases the volume of the microphone signals and filters out irrelevant sounds
"Loudspeaker“ – Converts electrical signals into acoustic signals
Speech processor – Adjusts signals to the wearer's individual hearing needs
Volume regulator – Lets the wearer control the volume
Ear hook – Connects the hearing aid and the sound tube
Audio input – Picks up signals from other external devices
Disposable or rechargeable battery for the power supply – While disposable
batteries
can be changed several times,
rechargeable
batteries last for up to 24 hours with just one charge
The hearing aid is connected to the ear via a sound tube, which ends in a fixing piece, or earpiece/ear shell (earmold). A variation on the classic BTE hearing aid is the external receiver model (
receiver-in-canal, or RIC
), in which the loudspeaker sits inside the ear, thus transmitting sound directly to the eardrum.
Other behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids
External receiver model (receiver-in-canal, or RIC)
The smallest behind-the-ear models are equipped with external receivers and usually also offer wireless functions.
Micro-behind-the-ear models
These hearing aids are smaller than normal BTE models and suitable for people with mild to severe hearing loss. They can be worn comfortably behind the ear and come in a wide range of colors, shapes, and styles.
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