Open fit hearing aids are behind the ear hearing aids with the latest technology digital technology. All BTE open fit hearing aids (sometimes called open ear hearing aids) consist of three basic parts: 1) the hearing aid case that fits over the ear; 2) a small, thin tube that goes from the hearing aid to the ear canal, and; 3) a bud (sometimes called a tip, petal, or flower) that fits on the end of the tube and goes into the ear canal that has holes in it.
Why are open fit hearing aids so popular?
- First, and most important is that they do not occlude or plug up the ear canal. Instead the bud that fits on the end of the tube that goes in the ear has holes in it to allow sounds from the outside to enter the ear canal at the same time the sounds are being amplified by the open fit hearing aid. Another secondary advantage of the open fit hearing aid design is that the "openness" of the buds allows air to circulate in the ear canal minimizing ear infections.
- Second is that all behind the ear open fit hearing aids are digital and can be customized to a hard-of-hearing person's audiogram or hearing test.
- Third is the hearing aid case that contains the microphone, amplifier, the digital processor, and the speaker for the open fit hearing aid. The cases are usually less than 1" long and less than 1/4" wide, and very lightweight. The tube that runs from the hearing aid to the ear canal is very thin and opaque, making it very difficult to see.
Who is a candidate for an open fit hearing aid? Anyone who has a mild to severe hearing loss, provided the severe hearing loss is not in the lower frequencies (125dB - 1000dB). In fact 50% of all hearing aids sold are open fit hearing aids because of their flexibility and ease of use. |
