Hearing Aids
Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids
Behind-the-ear (BTE)
hearing aids fit comfortably behind-the-ear and are attached
to a soft custom earmold. With BTE hearing aids, the electronics
are housed in a case that fits behind the ear. Sound is directed from
the hearing aid, through the tubing, and through the earmold to the eardrum.
These hearing aids can be modified with connections to external sound
sources such as auditory training equipment and infrared listening systems.
Several models are also Bluetooth compatible. Click here for more information
about Bluetooth and hearing aids.
BTE hearing aids can provide more amplification
than smaller devices due to the stronger amplifier and the larger
battery. This style is available in analog and digital circuits and fits
the widest range of hearing loss, from mild to profound. They
are suitable for all ages. There is a wide range of colors available for
matching to hair, skin tone, and even personal style. Standard BTEs use
the 13 or 675 battery sizes which are easier to handle and have a longer
lifespan compared to smaller batteries. Repairs are typically fewer than
custom products and some BTE models may come with a moisture resistant
coating and features.
Open Fit Behind-the-ear (OTE) hearing aids
Open Fit Behind-the-ear
(OTE) hearing aids are similar to standard behind-the-ear (BTE)
hearing aids. The casing is noticeably smaller and the tubing
is much thinner. A small tip or dome at the end of the tube
is used instead of a traditional earmold. This leaves the ear “open” and
reduces problems with occlusion (stuffy or barrel feeling)
leading to more natural sounding amplification. This newer style of
BTEs has become increasingly popular over the last 4 years and now accounts
for over 50% of the hearing aid market. Although originally
designed for high-frequency hearing losses, newer models can now accommodate
a wider range of hearing loss. Reconfiguration of the hearing aid or
using a traditional earmold can accommodate changes in a person’s
hearing. New OTEs are the most cosmetically appealing style of hearing
aid available today.
Today’s
OTEs come in two versions. The first is what we call a “tube-fitting
OTE” that uses very
small diameter tubing in the ear similar to the standard BTE.
The microphone, amplifier/digital processor, and receiver (speaker)
are housed in the hearing aid and the sound is pushed through
the thin tube and delivered into the ear canal. This style is easy to
maintain because there is not a delicate electric part of the hearing
aid inside the ear canal.
The other version of OTE is with the receiver
in the ear or canal receiver technology (CRT). This
style looks almost identical to the other except that the speaker is
separated from the hearing aid. This is accomplished by running a thin
wire from the hearing aid down through the thin tubing and connecting
it to a small receiver that fits into the ear canal. The only drawback
to the CRT style is increased repairs due to moisture or wax damaging
the receiver. People with known moisture or wax problems should not
wear the CRT style. An advantage to this style is a wider range of hearing
losses can now be fit with the availability of having the option of
different “power” receivers.
There is no clinical evidence at this time that one OTE style is better
than the other. Hearing Professionals and patients may have subjective
and/or clinical preferences, however, both work rather well.
Due to their small size, manual controls are very limited. Some manufacturers
offer remote controls, battery rechargers, and Bluetooth options with
OTE hearing aids. Because of their small size, batteries are smaller.
The three most common sizes are 13, 312, and 10A (largest to smallest).
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In-the-ear (ITE)
Hearing Aids
ITE (in-the-ear) hearing aids can be used for a
wide range of hearing losses up to a severe loss. Due to their
size, ITE hearing aids allow for optional manual features such as a volume
control, program button, or telephone switch. They are also much easier
to handle than smaller custom aids. This type of hearing aid fills the
outer ear. The hearing aid case is custom made out of a hard plastic
material. The hearing aid case houses all of the miniaturized
hearing aid parts. The ITE style is available with programmable and digital
technology.
Although the largest of the custom products, people with dexterity
issues may have difficulties with the small volume control
and program button. This may be resolved by opting for a more advanced “automatic” hearing
aid or obtaining an optional remote control offered by a few
hearing aid manufacturers. They are the most visible of the
custom products and many will argue that they are more obvious than
a BTE with earmold. Earwax and moisture problems may lead to
repairs.
In-the-canal (ITC) Hearing Aids
ITC (in-the-canal) hearing aids fit into
the ear canal. They are only slightly larger than the completely-in-the-canal
(CIC) hearing aid but smaller than the in-the-ear (ITE) hearing
aid. The ITC style is available in analog and digital technology.
They are less obvious than the ITE style. Due to a slightly bigger
battery, battery life is longer lasting compared to a CIC style.
The ITC
style is only suitable for mild to moderately severe hearing
loss due to its size. Manual options, such as a volume control
or directional microphones are limited due to the size of the faceplate.
Like the ITE style, they are susceptible to moisture and earwax. Good
dexterity is needed to manipulate the hearing aid.
Completely-the-canal (CIC) Hearing Aids
Completely-in-the-canal
(CIC) hearing aids are the smallest size of custom hearing aids,
practically invisible to an observer. Custom designed to fit
the wearer's ear, CIC hearing aids fit deep inside the ear canal. CIC
hearing aids are meant for people with ear canals large enough to accommodate
the insertion depth of the device into the ear. This style accommodates
people with mild to moderate hearing loss. Some manufactures
have power CICs for more severe losses available, although this is not
yet the norm. CIC instruments can have analog or digital technology housed
within their tiny casing. The microphone of a CIC instrument sits in your
ear canal, simulating natural sound reception. However, research shows
that directional microphones provide a greater benefit in noise reduction
than the single microphone on a CIC. Due to the small size, there is not
an option for directional microphones.
CICs use a size 10 battery and typically need
to be replaced every 3-6 days. They are usually not recommended
for people with dexterity problems due to their small size and even smaller
batteries. A tight fit in the ear canal may lead to comfort issues, occlusion
(feeling plugged up), and excessive wax buildup. These devices are the
most susceptible to damage from wax and moisture buildup since they fit
so far down in the ear canal. This may lead to more frequent repairs and
a shorter lifespan. With the success of smaller BTEs, especially the OTE
style, the popularity of CIC hearing aids has dropped significantly. Right
now they account for only about 10% of the hearing aid market.
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Hearing Aids
