Vedanta Speech & Hearing Healthcare

BTE Hearing Aids (Behind-The-Ear hearing aids)

“Conventional” Hearing aids are identified as BTE (over-the-ear, Post auricular) hearing aids and are designed to fit behind the pinna. Devices are encased in plastic and curved to match their placement behind the pinna. They are heavy-duty, provide wide selection of amplification characteristics, and fit a range of hearing losses from mild to profound. The microphone(s) is/are placed at the top of the aid near the upper portion of the ear to take advantage of the head shadow effect and to approximate sound entry into the ear canal.

Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids are one of the most common and versatile types of hearing aids, suitable for people of all ages and all degrees of hearing loss, from mild to profound. The main unit rests comfortably behind the ear, with a clear tube that delivers sound into a custom earmold or dome inside the ear canal. BTE aids are larger than some other styles, making them easier to handle and ideal for users with dexterity issues. They are known for their durability, power, and ability to support advanced features like Bluetooth connectivity, rechargeable batteries, and directional microphones. While they are more visible than in-the-ear models and may be affected by wind noise, their reliability and strong performance make them a popular choice, especially for children and individuals with significant hearing loss. Variants like mini BTE and receiver-in-canal (RIC) options offer more discreet designs and improved sound quality.