Types of BTE, Life and ITE Hearing Instruments

Hearing instruments can be classified in many ways. Perhaps, the simplest way is to categorize them by where they are worn. There are basically two kinds:

• ITE is the abbreviation for in-the-ear. Another word for ITE is "custom" hearing instrument.
• BTE is the abbreviation for behind-the-ear.
• Life is an open fitting for BTE instruments in place of an earmold

BTE hearing instruments sit behind the ear and are attached to custom ear molds. They fit all types of hearing loss from mild to profound and come in a variety of styles from Miniature-BTEs to SuperPower instruments. Many BTEs offer two or three directional microphone systems for improved understanding of speech in noisy situations.

ITE hearing instruments consist of serveral styles that sit entirely within the ear. They are fitted to each individual, based on an impression of the wearer's ear. Styles range from the smallest Micro-CIC, "Completely in the canal" instrument to the full-shell IT, also called Concha.

Life (Open fitting) - advantages with sound quality and comfort
Behind the ear systems can be open or closed. Closed means that the fitted ear mold more or less completely occludes the outer ear and ear channel. Life fittings are more comfortable and an open system ventilates and avoids the collection of moisture in the ear.

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