| Behind the ear, also known as BTE, hearing aids are | | | | arthritis sufferers and others with fine motor control |
| far and away the most commonly used type of | | | | disabilities and related issues. |
| hearing aid. These hearing aids are also what most | | | | Finally since CIC models necessitate the wearing of a |
| people picture when hearing aids are mentioned. The | | | | heavier device in the canal then just the lightweight ear |
| electronics which make a BTE hearing aid function are | | | | mold attached to BTE hearing aids, there tends to be |
| housed in a plastic case which fits behind the ear and | | | | less ear canal irritation with the former. |
| has a tube that connects it to an ear mold which fits in | | | | In the late 1800s the first commercially manufactured |
| the ear canal. | | | | hearing aids were patented and became available to |
| They are designed to accommodate the entire | | | | the public. The first behind the ear hearing aids came |
| spectrum of hearing losses, from the mild to the | | | | on the scene over fifty years ago. |
| severe. Although they are more conspicuous then | | | | Prior to this, hearing aids were basically amplifiers worn |
| hearing aids that fit entirely in the ear canal, they have | | | | somewhere on the body and these were heavy and |
| a number of benefits that appeal to a wide variety of | | | | expensive, due in part to rapid battery consumption. |
| hearing impaired individuals. In addition, BTE hearing aids | | | | With the advent of the smaller junction transistor in |
| come in a number of sizes, shapes and colors. So | | | | 1952, widespread BTE hearing aid use became more |
| some behind the ear models are much less | | | | of a reality. |
| conspicuous then others. | | | | Due to improvements in the technology of |
| Since behind the ear hearing aids are larger then their | | | | circuitry,1964 saw another boom in use of BTE |
| completely in the canal, or CIC, counterparts, they can | | | | devices and the use of body worn hearing aids |
| more easily house a bigger amplifier and much | | | | dropped to less then twenty percent. By 1972 |
| stronger battery and therefore may be especially | | | | prototypes for hearing aids which could be |
| beneficial to individuals with a more severe hearing | | | | programmed to a variety of listening situations, were |
| loss. BTE hearing aids are also rather versatile in that | | | | being created. The following twenty years showed |
| they come in the most traditional analog style as well | | | | continued improvements and advances in hearing aid |
| as in the recently popularized digitally powered style of | | | | technology. |
| hearing aids. | | | | Volume controls were added to most behind the ear |
| When budgetary constraints are an issue, behind the | | | | devices in the 1990s and digital hearing aids started |
| ear devices definitely win out over hearing aids which | | | | appearing in the mid nineties. There has been continued |
| fit completely in the ear canal. Due to their larger size, | | | | new arrivals in the hearing aid world since then such as |
| other groups of people to whom BTE hearing aids | | | | remanufactured hearing aids, disposable hearing aids |
| have more appeal then CIC models include the elderly, | | | | and over the counter hearing aids. |