BTE Hearing Aids | dB Hearing Aids

Behind-the-Ear (BTE) Hearing Aids

Behind-the-Ear or BTE hearing aids offer tremendous quality of sound as far as hearing aids go. Made up of three atonomical parts -- the case, the tube and the mold -- BTE devices allow for cost effective part replacement, higher quality of assistance and, often, greater durability since the case will not be exposed to the moisture, earwax and pressure of, say, in-the-ear style of hearing devices.

As mentioned above, the three parts to the Behind-the-Ear hearing device are:

1) Case. The case houses the technology of the hearing aid, including the circuit board, amplification unit, and speaker. Originally large and awkward, the cases have evolved and users can now purchase stylish, lightweight units, many of which are complete hidden behind the ear. New advancements in technology have allowed for the manufacture and sale of miniature BTE hearing aids which are smaller but do not typically permit for use in severe hearing loss patients.

2) Tube. The tube provide a pathway from the case to the mold, allowing the sound to move from the speaker and into the user's ear. Just as cases have experienced technological advancements, so have tubes in that they can now come in hair-thin styles that are virtually invisible.

3) Mold. The earmold delivers the "sound" either electronically or in an amplified manner to the ear, providing for the hearing experience to someone with hearing loss or deafness.

Given the multi-unit make up of Behind the Ear hearing aids, some cost savings can be enjoyed over the long term. With BTE hearing aids, specific parts of the unit can be services or replaced rather than the entire unit. As well, since these units are typically larger than other types, they can help almost all users, from those with mild hearing loss to those with severe hearing loss.