Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid
Clear, rich sound
Fits behind the ear perfectly
Automatically adjusts the sound balance
Do you want to try this hearing aid risk free at an audiologist near you?
Try a hearing aid risk free
Your information is secure
Your information is secure Find an audiologist in 3 simple steps
1
Step 1
Answer a few questions about your wishes and needs
2
Step 2
We find a trusted audiologist in your area who can help you
3
Step 3
We schedule a free hearing test at your convenience
Why Hearing Aid Clinics?
Conveniently situated
Find one of our 1000+ clinics near you
Customer satisfaction guaranteed
Helped over 100,000 people
Money-back guarantee
Test a hearing aid for 30 days risk free
FREE
Benefit from a free hearing test near you
Professional recommendations
Advanced hearing solutions offered
Trusted audiologists
We’ll find a licensed, trained, and reputable audiologist near you
Reviews
“
{{ review.title }}
“{{ review.text }}”
— {{ review.name }}
Prices
- Rounding up the costs of behind-the-ear hearing aids would first require chalking out which exact BTE model it is that you’ll be needing. Consult with your audiologist to figure out whether you should use the standard BTE hearing aid or a receiver-in-the-canal (RIC) model, that unlike its counterpart, has its loudspeaker positioned at the end of a thin tube placed near the eardrum. BTE loudspeakers are housed in the casing at the back of the ear and are typically more powerful because they’re bigger. The traditional model may be better for people with severe hearing loss. But it’s best to discuss your preferences with one of our audiologists as well after they conduct an initial assessment.
- Your hearing health will be assessed via a free hearing test at one of our partner clinics.
- Hearing aid costs also depend on your lifestyle and preferences. For e.g., Do you want Bluetooth-powered BTE hearing aids? Would you prefer a rechargeable hearing aid over a battery-operated one?
- Once you get a hang of which model is best for you, and which unique features you’d like your hearing aid to sport, confer with your audiologist in regard to a device that satisfies both your hearing health and budget range.
Frequently asked questions
What are the parts of a BTE hearing aid?
- The parts of most hearing aids are similar but the BTE does use some additional appendages and accessories. Most hearing aids, including BTE hearing aids, feature a microphone, amplifier, loudspeaker, a speech processer, and disposable or rechargeable batteries.
- The major difference with the behind-the-ear hearing aid is that unlike an ITE or in-the-ear device which sits in the outer ear or inside the ear canal, a portion of the BTE model consists of a casing which sits on the back of the ear. This casing is connected to the ear via a sound tube. An additional feature is the ear hook which connects the hearing aid and the sound tube.
- BTEs also take the cake over in-the-ear devices since they sport helpful accessories like manual volume and memory controls that an in-the-ear device may not be able to incorporate because of its size.
- Standard behind-the-ear hearing aids use an earmold or ear dome which the sound tube is connected to.
- A variation of the behind-the-ear hearing aid – the receiver-in-canal (RIC) – uses a loudspeaker or receiver positioned at the end of the ear tube or wire near the eardrum. The receiver is cased inside the earmold or dome unlike in the case of BTE which houses the speaker in the hard shell at the back of the ear.
- You can always of course supplement your hearing aid with accessories such as hearing clips and lanyards that will catch the hearing aid in case it slips out of your ear for some reason. BTEs offer a secure fit, but in case you plan on intense activities that require movement, these accessories might be helpful.
My vision and dexterity are impaired. Will I still be able to use a behind-the-ear hearing aid?
- What’s great about a behind-the-ear hearing aid is that while it’s discreet, it’s still visible enough to place in and out of the ear, as well as operate. So even if you wear glasses and have issues with agility, a behind-the-ear hearing aid is an excellent option. Many BTE hearing aids are equipped with manual volume and memory controls as well, unlike near-invisible in-the-ear hearing aids which might not be the right choice for people with vision and dexterity problems.
- Behind-the-ear hearing aids that feature Bluetooth are also a great option for people with big glasses and agility issues, since many BTE models wirelessly connect to a smartphone app that can be used to control and adjust the settings of the hearing aid. Using a user-friendly, app-based hearing aid might be a good idea in this case. Bluetooth-powered hearing aids are also great since they can be remotely fine-tuned by audiologists in accordance with your needs. You won’t even need to step outside the house. Everything will be taken care of
What is the difference between the standard behind-the-ear hearing aid and the receiver-in-canal model?
- The biggest difference between BTE and RIC models is that the speaker in the case of BTE is housed inside the casing at the back of the ear, whereas the speaker in the RIC model is positioned at the tip of an ear wire near the eardrum. This tip is usually enclosed in an earmold or ear dome.
- The standard BTE hearing aid is elongated and capable of housing a strong amplifier and big battery. If you have severe hearing loss, the choice between a BTE or RIC hearing aid is clear. While the sleeker RIC is also an excellent option, those who experience major hearing problems might want to consider the traditional BTE model which can provide an extra boost.
What is an open-fit behind-the-ear hearing aid?
- Open-fit BTE hearing aids do not use earmolds as is the case with traditional models. Sound is transmitted to the ear via a small tube with a tip at the end of it that sits within the ear canal. This small tip allows for air and sound to pass through the ear very easily and facilitates more natural hearing.
- The tip does not block the ear canal as is the case with hearing aids that use earmolds. Earmolds can lead to a “plugged up” feeling. The proper term for this is the “occlusion effect”.
- Open-fit hearing aids allow for more natural hearing but note that cleaning this type of behind-the-ear hearing aid might require a little more work since the tip that sits inside the ear canal will collect dirt and moisture more frequently, especially if you use your hearing aids through the day.
- As a general rule of thumb, you should clean your hearing aid at least once in 24 hours, preferably towards the end of the day. A good cleaning kit consists of a small wax pick and brush which keep both your hearing aid and the case clean. You should avoid wipes with chemicals or alcohol when cleaning hearing aids as they could damage the device. In any case, each hearing aid comes with a specific instruction manual that’ll tell you how to clean your device in a way that’ll maximize its life expectancy.
