What are the Benefits of BTE Hearing Aids?

When working with an audiologist to treat your hearing loss, you will be guided through the wide selection of hearing aids at your disposal. Depending on your needs and the severity of your hearing loss, you might be recommended to use a behind-the-ear (BTE) device. This is one of the most common kinds of hearing aids, but we’re going to take a look at some of the advantages, so you can feel confident when making your choice.

They are some of the most broadly suitable devices

BTE hearing aids are incredibly versatile. They can help treat a very broad range of hearing loss in terms of severity, from mild to profound. What’s more, they are accessible and easy to fit and remove, meaning that they’re suitable for users of all ages, including children.

The larger size offers many advantages

Compared to in-the-canal (ITC) hearing aids, BTE devices are slightly larger. However, this means that they can fit larger batteries, which is a perk for individuals with dexterity issues. The larger casing also means they can fit more features, including directional microphones, telecoil and Bluetooth attachments.

Accessibility is a huge plus

As mentioned, the larger size means that BTE hearing aids are easier to handle, clean and to change the batteries. BTE devices tend to feature more controls on the exterior case, such as buttons and sliders. This makes them convenient for all users but is particularly helpful for those with limited dexterity.

They are highly durable

Smaller devices tend to be more delicate than their larger, BTE cousins. This means that extra special care has to be taken with handling them. You shouldn’t be too rough with a BTE device, either, of course, but the increased durability means that they are well-suited to children who may not always be as careful as they should be.

Minimal feedback

Feedback is a relatively common issue for hearing aid users. It’s a high-pitched whistling sound that can happen for a variety of reasons. A common cause is that the speaker and microphone are positioned too closely, so the microphone picks up the sound coming from the speaker.

If you have any lingering questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to ask your audiologist. They are there to help you choose the hearing aid that best fits your circumstances and budget, but that doesn’t mean your thoughts and opinions aren’t involved in the equation. They are more than happy to address your concerns.