Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids are considered the most common and versatile type of this technology. When you think of a standard hearing aid, this is usually what comes to mind. This design has persisted since its invention in 1956, but hearing devices have become quite sophisticated over the years, and BTE hearing aids are no different. In fact, thanks to the versatility of the BTE design, many disposable hearing aids – which have become more commonplace – emulate this design.

So aside from offering an iconic form factor, why has the BTE hearing aid enjoyed such staying power? As any audiologist will tell you, the BTE design has many versatile uses not only for the wearer, but the specialist calibrating it for each ear.

Here are five reasons why BTE Hearing aids are the most versatile hearing devices on the market:

1. Comfort

BTE hearing aids have been designed to be as comfortable to wear as possible. With a lightweight construction and soft earmolds that conform to the ear itself, wearers report that after an initial adjustment period, they tend to forget about their hearing aid and it instead becomes a natural part of their day-to-day. Just as glasses-wearers tend to see their spectacles as a natural extension of their wellbeing, the BTE design and its neat placement behind the ear make a hearing aid easy to use for long periods of time.

2. Sophisticated Features

BTE hearing aids are lightweight and rather small in scope, but don’t let that fool you into thinking they’re anything less than highly sophisticated technical devices. The BTE hearing aid can support functions such as noise reduction, directional microphones, feedback suppressions, and connectivity such as Bluetooth and more. As such, they remain relevant for modern users.

3. Easy Maintenance

Most hearing aids require cleaning and maintenance for optimal use, and the BTE hearing aid is no different. Luckily, thanks to the behind-the-ear design, it’s easy to replace batteries, the casing, and even the control elements where needed. On top of this, because many BTE hearing aids can be taken out quite easily, then can be cleaned quickly with cotton swabs or soft dry tissues.

4. Customizable

Of course, the foremost necessity in a hearing aid is positive function for the specific wearer, but you may also be able to customize them. The right earmold, the amplification level, the color, and even the earpiece can be chosen with the recommendations of your audiologist serving as an appropriate guide. This means that for many people, a worthwhile skin tone match can be found, allowing the device to be worn with subtlety.

5. Diverse Hearing Support Applications

By far the most important purpose of a BTE hearing aid is for it to suit the needs of each wearer. BTE hearing aid styles are, luckily, suitable for those with a wide spectrum of hearing loss. This is because as mentioned above, BTE hearing aid designs can make use of various earpieces specifically tuned to those with different needs.