Many individuals may experience difficulty in catching the words of a person who is speaking from a distance or has a low voice. Questioning the speaker multiple times can make you uncomfortable and trying to move closely by straining to hear is discomfiting as well. No worries! You would be well advised to visit a specialist doctor and an audiologist to check your listening prowess. You are sure to be fitted with a hearing device with many individuals favoring an over the ear hearing aid.
You will be surprised to find that the device may be worn over the ear or behind the ear. True, you will feel a trifle embarrassed at first as the hearing aid is clearly visible to the public. However, you are likely to get used to it and no one is going to question you about it anymore.
Best Features Of The Over The Ear Hearing Aid
You will be pleasantly surprised to know that these hearing aids often referred to as OTEs are a versatile choice for almost all individuals who are concerned about hearing sounds clearly and do not want any fancy features or settings. You may opt for an OTE device when the level of hearing loss ranges from mild to moderate. It is important to be well aware of the following associated features that define such a hearing aid: –
- Behind-the-Ear (BTE)- As evident from the definition the OTE is worn externally with the BTE being placed firmly behind the ear. A thin wire or tube emerging from the device is connected to an earpiece that is placed inside the ear canal.
- Receiver-in-the-Canal (RIC)- This device is similar to the BTE with the only difference being the positioning of the audio signal receiver that remains in the ear canal. This feature makes the device more discrete and smaller than the BTE.
- Versatility– You will be able to utilize the OBE regardless of the nature of your hearing loss. You are welcome to use it when you experience a mild loss that progresses to medium and even profound. Moreover, you would be happy to know that these devices happen to be durable and expected to last for years without replacement.
- Technology– The OTEs are comparatively bigger than the tiny devices that remain almost invisible. This makes it possible for the OTEs to include multiple additional technology-enabled features that may overcome the challenges of hearing clearly in windy or noisy environments. Many devices also add directional microphones as the comparatively larger devices have enough space.
- Ease of Use– The OTEs perfect for elderly individuals and people with balance and dexterity issues. The relatively bigger surface area provides an opportunity to the users to adjust the settings and control the device as required.
- Long Battery Life– The quality OTEs come with an extended battery life. The best hearing aids include batteries that last for more than 18 hours. You may also make use of an additional 65 hours of power with the help of a charging case.
While selecting the over the ear hearing aid can be a wise decision, it is advisable to inquire about the features and services as well as the warranty period.