| Hearing Aid Article (updated Frequently)
|
| BTE HEARING AIDS |
| By: Martin Smith |
Behind the ear, also known as BTE, hearing aids are far and away
the most commonly used type of hearing aid. These hearing aids
are also what most people picture when hearing aids are
mentioned. The electronics which make a BTE hearing aid function
are housed in a plastic case which fits behind the ear and has a
tube that connects it to an ear mold which fits in the ear
canal.
They are designed to accommodate the entire spectrum of hearing
losses, from the mild to the severe. Although they are more
conspicuous then hearing aids that fit entirely in the ear
canal, they have a number of benefits that appeal to a wide
variety of hearing impaired individuals. In addition, BTE
hearing aids come in a number of sizes, shapes and colors. So
some behind the ear models are much less conspicuous then others.
Since behind the ear hearing aids are larger then their
completely in the canal, or CIC, counterparts, they can more
easily house a bigger amplifier and much stronger battery and
therefore may be especially beneficial to individuals with a
more severe hearing loss. BTE hearing aids are also rather
versatile in that they come in the most traditional analog style
as well as in the recently popularized digitally powered style
of hearing aids.
When budgetary constraints are an issue, behind the ear devices
definitely win out over hearing aids which fit completely in the
ear canal. Due to their larger size, other groups of people to
whom BTE hearing aids have more appeal then CIC models include
the elderly, arthritis sufferers and others with fine motor
control disabilities and related issues.
Finally since CIC models necessitate the wearing of a heavier
device in the canal then just the lightweight ear mold attached
to BTE hearing aids, there tends to be less ear canal irritation
with the former.
In the late 1800s the first commercially manufactured hearing
aids were patented and became available to the public. The first
behind the ear hearing aids came on the scene over fifty years
ago.
Prior to this, hearing aids were basically amplifiers worn
somewhere on the body and these were heavy and expensive, due in
part to rapid battery consumption. With the advent of the
smaller junction transistor in 1952, widespread BTE hearing aid
use became more of a reality.
Due to improvements in the technology of circuitry,1964 saw
another boom in use of BTE devices and the use of body worn
hearing aids dropped to less then twenty percent. By 1972
prototypes for hearing aids which could be programmed to a
variety of listening situations, were being created. The
following twenty years showed continued improvements and
advances in hearing aid technology.
Volume controls were added to most behind the ear devices in the
1990s and digital hearing aids started appearing in the mid
nineties. There has been continued new arrivals in the hearing
aid world since then such as remanufactured hearing aids,
disposable hearing aids and over the counter hearing aids. Who
knows what the future of behind the ear hearing aid technology
holds, the possibilities are endless
About the author:
Martin Smith is a freelance writer with advice for consumers on
purchasing a variety of Hearing issues his numerous articles
provide a resource of interesting and information. Visit her
website for more info. http://www.1st-hearing-aids.com
|
|
| Keywords: 'hearing impairment' ear, bte hearing aids, aids, 'hearing impairment', hearing aids, bte hearing, bte hearing aid, behind the ear, hearing, hearing aid |
|
Sign Language Interpretation - CETRA Bridges Communication with the Deaf and Hearing Impaired
The 29th Annual DC101 Chili Cook-Off Benefiting the National Kidney Foundation
AAPD Urges U.S. Senate to Consider 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Legislation for People with Disabilities
The Almanac -- weekly
Today is Monday, May 12, the 133rd day of 2008 with 233 to follow.The moon is waxing. The morning stars are Venus, Neptune, Uranus and Jupiter. The evening stars are Mars, Mercury and Saturn.Those born on this date are under the sign of Taurus. They ...
Five new Canadian animal 'heroes' named
Five Canadian dogs were inducted into Purina's Canadian Animal Hall of Fame in Toronto Monday for their courage, loyalty and life-saving heroics.Among them was a poodle from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, who defied orders to stop barking in February 2007 a...
Persistent poodle who saved baby's life named to Animal Hall of Fame
Five family pets were honoured for their courage and loyalty on Monday, including a Saskatoon dog who is credited with saving the life of a newborn baby abandoned on a family's back porch on a frigid February day. The five pets - pooches hailing from Ontar...
Around the remote: Television picks for the week of May 4-10
DON'T MISS: THE "TWO AND A HALF MEN" AND "CSI" CROSSOVER - How's this for a very strange job-swap? Writers from the dark crime drama "CSI" have penned this week's episode of "Two and a Half Men," while scribes from that loopy sitcom have written this week's episode of "CSI." So can we suddenly expect to see Charlie studying blood-splatter samples and Grissom to start hitting on anything in a skirt? We have no idea, but we're certainly curious. One thing we do know: George Eads of "CSI" is making a cameo appearance in "Men." Monday: "Two and a Half Men," 9 p.m., CBS; Thursday: "CSI," 9 p.m., CBS
|
|
Rayovac Hearing Aid Batteries, Size 13, 16 per pack
The Worlds Longest Lasting Hearing Aid Battery! No battery lasts longer or gives more consistent per...
Omni Hearing Systems
About hearing aids. "Hearing aids changed my life." "Hearing aids don't work – period." No matter what you've heard about hearing aids, none of it matters until your own ears are in question. ... really expect if you choose to wear hearing aids. Copyright © 2005 Omni Hearing Systems, Inc ...
Can Omni-Directional Hearing Aids Improve Speech Understanding In Noise?
Home : Resource Library : News & Features. Can Omni-Directional Hearing Aids Improve Speech Understanding In Noise? Victor Bray, Ph.D., Sonic Innovations, Inc., Salt Lake City, Utah and, Michael Valente, Ph.D.,
Omni Hearing Systems
... What should you think about in buying hearing aids? Following is a list of seven factors to ... and cons with your hearing professional. Copyright © 2005 Omni Hearing Systems, Inc ...
Welcome to Starkey
Welcome to Starkey ...
hearing aids Quincy Illinois Moss Hearing Centers
Moss Hearing Centers dispenses digital and programmable hearing aids and related devices to suit all types of hearing loss and life styles. ... become the fastest growing hearing aid company in the ... ever installed in a hearing aid, we bring to ... comfortable and reliable hearing aids. H.E.A.R. ( Hearing Education and Awareness ...
Additional Links >>
Click here to add your link to our directory >>
Siemens Hearing Aids | Seimens Hearing Aids | Sears Hearing Aids | Rexton Hearing Aids | Resound Hearing Aids | Programmable Hearing Aids | Picture Of Hearing Aids | Phonak Hearing Aids | Oticon Hearing Aids | Miracle Ear Hearing Aids | Micro Tech Hearing Aids | Medicare Hearing Aids | Low Cost Hearing Aids | Ite Hearing Aids | Interton Hearing Aids | Information On Hearing Aids | Inexpensive Hearing Aids | Implantable Hearing Aids
|
