Behind The Ear (BTE) Hearing Aids
Behind The Ear (BTE) hearing aids is one of the most popular hearing aid types available. Their design includes a case which sits behind the ear and contains the receiver and microphones which detect and then process sounds. These amplified sounds are then sent through a small plastic tube over the top of your ear (which also serves to hold the receiver casing in place) into an ear mould which transmits the sounds to your ear.
Behind The Ear (BTE) hearing aids is one of the more conspicuous types of hearing aids, however many designs can actually be much smaller than you think and their larger size allows for the incorporation of more technological features and often better battery life.
The Differences
Behind The Ear (BTE) hearing aids have numerous different advantages and disadvantages. Our information below details some of the most common of these, however for more information please contact our expert team today and we’ll happily talk you through all of your options and book your free hearing test too.
BTE Hearing Aid Pros and Cons
What are the advantages of Behind The Ear (BTE) Hearing Aids?
Powerful amplification and advanced technologies
Because Behind The Ear (BTE) hearing aids are slightly larger in size than some other hearing aid types and also due to their separate behind the ear casing they are able to provide higher levels of power and increased technological features than some smaller hearing aids. They are able to contain the larger size battery types and so can support greater levels of amplification and provide the power needed for the inclusion of some really cutting edge technology. This means that not only are Behind The Ear (BTE) hearing aids suitable for those with more severe levels of hearing loss, but also for those people who want their hearing aids to really perform.
There’s a Behind The Ear (BTE) Hearing Aid For Everyone
Behind The Ear (BTE) hearing aids is one of the most versatile hearing aid types due to their outside of the ear design. This means that they can provide enough power to support even quite severe hearing loss and include enough technology to support the requirements of even the most active and dynamic of lifestyles. Whatever your lifestyle of hearing loss type, there is likely to be a Behind The Ear (BTE) hearing aid to suit you.
Great Battery Life
Due to Behind The Ear (BTE) hearing aid’s design having the casing that houses the battery sitting externally behind the ear, it means that if necessary they can hold the larger size 3 batteries. This means that Behind The Ear (BTE) hearing aids can provide you with some of the best battery life of all of the hearing aid types available.
Simple To Use
Behind The Ear (BTE) hearing aids can be controlled either via a series of buttons or switches on the casing itself, or this can be replaced/combined with a variety of external controllers, such as smartphone apps or dedicated remote controls. This variability of the design means that there is likely to be a Behind The Ear (BTE) hearing aid to suit almost everybody.
Affordable
Due to their classic design and slightly larger size, Behind The Ear (BTE) hearing aids can often be some of the easiest to manufacture and so can be one of the most affordable varieties of hearing aids – obviously though this depends on the exact model that you choose. However, if you choose to buy your hearing aid from us at HearingAid.org.uk then you will only pay one price regardless of the style of hearing aid that you choose.
Easier To Clean
As Behind The Ear (BTE) hearing aids are slightly larger and also as they sit largely outside of the ear, it means that they are much easier to clean (and also change the batteries) than some of the much smaller types of hearing aids.
Disadvantages of BTE hearing aids below
What are the disadvantages of BTE hearing aids?
Reduced Sound Quality
When you compare this style to that of the ITE or ITC hearing aids, the BTE's can sometimes not have the capacity to offer high levels of sound.
Wind Noise
BTE hearing aid devices are more likely to have complications with wind noise when used in open spaces.
Less Discreet
If discreet options are important to you, then the BTE style might not be right for you. They sit directly outside the ear, therefore they are more liable to be noticed by other people. That being said, the modern BTE hearing aids are much smaller than those of the past.
Examples of BTE Hearing Aids
Behind the Ear and In the Ear
Fitting Styles: RIC, BTE, ITC, ITE, IIC, CIC, MC
5 year warranty included.
Bernafon Zerena Full Range
Behind the Ear and In the Ear
Fitting Styles: RIC, BTE, ITE, CIC, MC
5 Year Warranty Included.
Widex Evoke Full Range
Behind the Ear & In the Ear
Fitting Styles: RIC, BTE, ITE
5 Year Warranty Included. Rechargeable version is an additional £50 per aid.
Phonak Marvel Full RangeDiscover other hearing aid styles
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New
When we refer to a product as 'New', we mean that the product is new to the market.
When we refer to a product as 'Superseded', we mean that there is a newer range available which replaces and improves on this product.
Older Model
When we refer to a product as an 'Older Model', we mean that it is has been superseded by at least two more recent hearing aid ranges.