Which Hearing Aids Are The Most Durable?

There are many different styles of hearing aids. This article will look at more styles; particularly those are placed outside the ear canal and are highly robust.  

Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids

BTE hearing aids may be the most stereotypical of all of the hearing aid designs. This design was prominent for decades until more advanced technology made the hearing aids small and more compact. BTE hearing aids hook over the top of your ear and rest behind it. There is then a tube that connects the hearing aid to an earpiece inside of your ear canal. This earpiece is called an earmold. BTE hearing aids are recommended for just about anyone, regardless of their age and type of hearing loss.  

BTE hearing aids will usually be the largest type of hearing aids that you’ll encounter. The size is both positive and negative. On the plus side, the large size means that the BTE hearing aid is able to amplify more sounds than other hearing aids. Conversely, though, the large size means that more wind noise is also amplified, which could lead to hearing constant background noise.  

Receiver-in-the-canal (RIC) and receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) hearing aids

Both the RIC and the RITE hearing aids are similar in design, and so are usually referred to together. They are also similar to the larger BTE hearing aids in that a speaker or receiver is placed in either your canal or ear. Unlike the BTE hearing aid that has a tube that connects the pieces, RIC and RITE hearing aids use a tiny wire for the connection.  

RIC and RITE hearing aids are a nice substitute to the BTE hearing aid because they are less visible and small. However, like just about all hearing aids, they are still susceptible to a buildup of earwax around the speaker. Maintain proper cleaning routine to ensure that your speaker is always able to produce the clearest sounds for you.  

Open-fit hearing aids

This style of hearing aid is similar to the BTE hearing aids in that it has a thin tube that connects its components. The Open Fit hearing aid is able to keep your ear canal open so that low-frequency sounds are best able to enter your ear naturally. At the same time, higher-frequency sounds are amplified through the hearing aid. Open Fit hearing aids are a nice option for people who suffer from mild to moderate hearing loss.  

Open Fit hearing aids, while larger than in the ear hearing aids, are less visible than other models. Their smaller size, however, may be problematic as their small parts can be difficult to manage. Changing the battery might be a bit cumbersome and you may need to rely on a professional to help you.  

A major benefit of the open-fit hearing aid is that it won’t plug your ear like other hearing aids that fit snugly in the ear canal. This means that your voice will sound like your own voice, and not muffled.