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The BTE Advantage
Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids have six major advantages over In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids:
(1) Far more reliable (less wax problems)
Because BTEs are located behind the ear, the electronics are not subjected to the damaging, hot ear wax. Ear wax is far and away the #1 cause of hearing aid malfunction. The benefit of not placing any of the electronic components in the ear wax, is that the BTE hearing aid is much more durable and reliable.
(2) Far less feedback (less microphone sensitivity)
Feedback (whistling) is caused by the microphone being too close to the vent. On an ITE, the microphone and the vent are VERY close together. On a BTE, the microphone is at the very top of the ear, and the vent is at the very bottom of the canal. This allows for much more amplification before experiencing feedback.
(3) Far more power (in case your hearing loss gets worse)
No one can predict how much worse your loss will get. Many patients that wear ITEs end up purchasing several sets of hearing aids over the years because their loss became worse. Most BTEs have much more power in reserve, allowing the patient to get many more years of service from the same BTE. Also, since the BTE has more power, it can be used to correct much more severe losses than the ITE.
(4) More features (such as directional microphones)
Most BTEs come standard with a directional microphone system (to regulate background noise). Many ITEs don’t even offer directional microphones. If they are offered, it is usually at an additional cost - up to $200 per aid!
(5) Less occlusion (larger vents)
Because the vent in an ITE has to share space in the canal with the electronics of the aid, the vent size is severely limited. This can lead to feeling "plugged up" (occlusion). Patients can feel like their head is in a barrel or tunnel, especially when they talk. Since the BTE doesn’t put any of the electronics in the ear canal, the vent can be made the appropriate size. This allows the patient to hear more comfortably and naturally.
(6) Cosmetically Appealing
Now with the new Open Ear hearing technology, you can finally combine the performance of the BTE with the cosmetic appeal of the ITE!
If you want to hear your best…
BTEs are the right choice!
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