Advantages of Behind the Ear Hearing Aids

Hearing aids come in several different types, but the most popular is the hearing aid that fits behind the ear. Although some hearing aids fit inside the ear and some even inside the ear canal, the majority of users prefer the hearing aid behind the ear models. What's the appeal? Obviously, this decision isn't made solely for cosmetic reasons because the kinds that fit inside the ear would be less noticeable. Instead, users have discovered several distinct advantages of hearing aids that fit behind the ear.

Description of Behind the Ear Hearing Aids

Basically, behind the ear hearing aids are made of two parts: the hearing aid and the ear mold. The actual hearing aid is worn behind the ear and is joined to the mold that fits inside the ear. The audiologist first takes a mold, or impression, of both the inner and outer ear canal. This impression allows the manufacturer to make a custom designed mold. The electronic components of the hearing aid are encased in the device that sits behind the ear. As sound reaches the hearing aid, it is directed through the connection to the ear mold, which causes it to travel to the eardrum. The concept is simple and very reliable. That's why this type of hearing aid has so many advantages.

Advantages of Behind the Ear Hearing Aids

Perhaps the biggest advantage is that this type of hearing aid can effectively help people with any kind of hearing loss. This statement says a lot about this type of hearing aid. When a person is diagnosed with hearing loss, the main issue is to improve their condition. A behind the ear hearing aid remains the first choice for those with hearing impairments. This model is also suitable for any age, especially young children. Although with a child, the one consideration is that the ear mold must be taken at frequent intervals to keep up with their growth rate.

This type also provides the most amplification among all other models. This is because of the way sound waves are collected and transmitted to the eardrum. For those people concerned about the cosmetic aspect of hearing aids, this type can be matched to your skin tone for a more invisible look. The batteries used in behind the ear hearing aids are larger than the ones used in the aids that fit inside the ear. This is a tremendous advantage when changing batteries. It's very easy to drop a tiny battery and lose it. Speaking of batteries, a behind the ear model requires less frequent battery changes yet offers more power. These aids generally last longer than other models because they do not come into contact with earwax that can damage the unit.