When you need help listening, Memorial Hearing is here to help. We have the best-rated hearing aids you will find in all of Houston, and we work with you to find the right one for your needs. There are no one-size-fits-all solutions, and our providers will make sure you have a hearing aid that suits your needs.

The Pros and Cons of Behind The Ear Hearing Aids

BTE hearing aids are all the rage these days and for a good reason. They are incredibly comfortable to wear because they do not make full direct contact with the patient’s ear canal.

Since they do not fully plug up the patient’s ear canal, they provide a much more open and natural sound for the patient. When you want a hearing aid you know you can live with for years, this is the one to get, if your prescription allows it.

Additionally, the internal components of these hearing aids are further away from one another, which results in less feedback on your end. There is a reduced chance of any random screeching, which is a significant relief. There is also the ability to receive more help in background noise with BTE hearing aids over some of the In-The-Ear models.

Many patients have reported fewer problems, which leads to a higher quality of life. Patients also enjoy the fact that BTE aids are usually Bluetooth compatible, so streaming of phone calls and connecting to apps that help control the aids is a big perk.

The issue with BTE hearing aids is that they are best for individuals with a minimal amount of hearing loss, should you want the most open fit model. For patients with more extreme cases of hearing loss or deafness, these aids may not do as much good.

There is also the issue of visibility. BTE aids lie directly outside of the ear, which means people walking past you may see it if your hair isn’t long enough to cover it. If you are concerned about people knowing you use a hearing aid and you have short hair behind your ears, then it may not be the best option. However, if you do not mind it, then it is a great choice with a lot of benefits.

The Pros and Cons of In The Ear Hearing Aids

Out of the two types of hearing aids you can get at Memorial Hearing, you have BTE and In The Ear units. For the latter, these are custom-made devices that fit in the ear canal. They are simple to insert within the ear and easy to control.

The major benefit of using this type of hearing aid is between the two variations offered at Memorial Hearing, ITE hearing aids are the more discreet option if you get the deepest Completely-In-The-Canal option. In addition to being smaller, they can also blend in with your skin color, so people walking past will have no idea what you have around your ear if you don’t have long hair to cover the BTE option.

These devices are small and discreet. As a result, they hold a smaller battery, so you may have to swap it out more often. There are also some features you may have to go without due to the size such as the directionality of the microphone, which will cause issues if you want to hear better in background noise.

With the smallest ITE options, Bluetooth connectivity is usually not an option as well. This type of aid is also not usually as powerful as the BTE counterpart. As always, speak with a specialist to determine what type of hearing aid will work best for you. From there, you can decide what features would be most advantageous and make a decision based on this information.

Schedule an Appointment at Memorial Hearing in Houston, TX

You do not have to live with hearing loss when there is another way. You should schedule an exam at Memorial Hearing to determine which hearing aid will work best for you.

Our specialists have helped numerous people in Houston and around Texas live their lives more fully, and you can be next. There are all kinds of hearing aids available, and we will not stop until you are 100% satisfied with the way you can hear.

Image Credit: Shutterstock By Kzenon