What is the Difference Between BTE and ITE hearing aids?

ITE styles

When you’re looking at a smaller hearing aid, you could think about the ITE style of hearing aid. Due to their size and their discreet appearance, they are a good option for those who may feel a little embarrassment about their hearing loss. There are several different types of in the ear style hearing aids, and there are various sizes.

ITE hearing aids are smaller than the behind the ear type, and this can make them difficult to handle if your dexterity is bad. However, this shouldn’t stop you from having this type of hearing aid. There are low-profile styles that feature a half shell or full shell that make them easier to insert and remove into the ear. They’re not normally recommended for those with a severe hearing loss, because the battery doesn’t last as long as the behind the ear type. Those with a severe hearing difficulty generally put their hearing aids through a heavy wear, so need a longer life.

BTE styles

These hearing aids are the largest of the three main styles and can handle multiple features and customizations. Whether you want muted skin tones or more vibrant colors, BTE hearing aids come in a variety of styles to meet your aesthetic wants. Because they are slightly larger than the other styles, they also can be ideal for individuals with dexterity issues.

These are the hearing aids that accommodate a more severe hearing loss, as their battery lasts a lot longer and they’re easier to handle. There are the mini styles that are popping up on the market, which accommodate thinner tubes. The best way to know which is right for you is speaking to your audiologist.

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3 Main Types of Hearing Aid Styles

Behind-the-ear (BTE) devices

As the name suggests, this type of hearing aid fits behind the ear. The BTE device is typically fitted onto your ear with a plastic hook. While you might think this would be uncomfortable, the hearing aid is actually surprisingly light. The main section of the hearing aid has a plastic, transparent tube that is connected to a receiver, which is placed into the ear canal. This is the most common type of hearing aid available on the market, and it can also be the cheapest. When it comes to hearing aids, the general rule is that a large device will be less expensive. The other thing to bear in mind about these devices is that they are very easy to remove. While these devices can be quite large, they also come in a miniature variety that is less noticeable.

In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids

Again, the name gives away where this device fits. It slots firmly in your ear in a mold. This mold will be shaped to your ear precisely by a trained audiologist to make sure that it is as comfortable as possible. One of the benefits of this type of device is that it is subtler. Unless someone is staring directly down your ear, it’s unlikely they’ll be able to tell you are wearing one. The device is still connected to a receiver that fits inside your ear canal. This device can be used for both mild and severe hearing loss and is often considerably smaller than the BTE hearing aid. One of the benefits of this hearing aid is that it is easy to adjust and it’s also available in a variety of different colors. As such, you can get one to match the skin tone of your ear.

Invisible-in-canal (IIC) technology

Yes, these devices are completely invisible to anyone else when you are wearing them. If you speak to your audiologist, they will tell you that these devices are slotted inside the ear canal. As such, you won’t notice them at all when they are worn. Unfortunately, they are only suitable for people with mild to moderate hearing loss due to their size and potential power. They also need to be removed on a daily basis to promote good ear health. If you want a device that doesn’t need to be removed, you will need to look at implants instead.

We hope this helps you understand the 3 main types of hearing aid styles that you can choose.

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