How to Choose the Right Hearing Aid: A Guide to Your First Purchase
The right hearing aid device selection can be so confusing, especially if you are a first-timer. With numerous types, brands, and features available, how can you be sure which one will be the most suitable for your needs? The right hearing aid, no matter if you are a sufferer of age-related hearing loss, tinnitus, or any other hearing condition, can make a big difference in your life. In this guide, we will cover all the necessary information to help you decide and choose the hearing aid that fits you best.
Why Hearing Aids Matter
Hearing aids are the equipment that loudens the sounds for people who have a hearing problem. They facilitate hearing by raising the volume of the sounds and making the speech clearer. The development of technology has made modern hearing aids much more than mere sound amplifiers. In fact, the devices of today come with such features as Bluetooth connectivity, noise reduction, and directional microphones to achieve the best possible hearing in any situation.
It is imperative understanding the mechanism of a hearing aid and the reasons that make it helpful in your hearing ability and general quality of life before venturing into the selection process of a hearing aid. Having the correct hearing aid in place, you can experience the world around you again – hearing conversations with family and friends, listening to your favorite music or hearing the sounds of nature that you may have missed.
Step 1: Understand Your Hearing Loss
Types of Hearing Loss
Symptom of loss of hearing are multiple, thus pinpointing the particular kind is the very first step in deciding the proper hearing aid. The main types of hearing loss are:
• Sensorineural Hearing Loss: The major is the one which occurs as a result of the inner ear or the auditory nerve getting damaged. It is very often a slow process along with aging.
• Conductive Hearing Loss: It refers to the condition when the outer or the middle ear has a problem such as liquid congestion, ear infections, or a ruptured eardrum.
• Mixed Hearing Loss: An overlap of both sensorineural and conductive hearing loss.
The nature and the extent of your hearing loss will be the deciding factor for which hearing aid will fit you best. For instance, those with sensorineural hearing loss are the ones that can be assisted with digital well, equipped hearing aids whereas the people with the conductive type of loss will most probably need a different kind of instrument.
Have Your Hearing Tested
The most efficient method of identifying your precise hearing requirements is arranging a hearing exam with a qualified audiologist. The expert will pinpoint the level and the kind of hearing loss during the examination, thus making the suitable hearing aid choices based on your personal hearing configuration.
Step 2: Choose the Style of Hearing Aid
Hearing aids come in several styles, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. The best design for you will be determined by your activities, preferred comfort level and how severe the hearing loss is.
1. Behind, the, Ear (BTE) Hearing Aids
Best For: Those with mild to severe hearing loss.
BTE hearing aids are worn behind the ear and connected to a piece that fits directly into the ear or to a thin tube that allows the sound to reach the ear canal. They are one of the most popular styles of hearing aids due to their effectiveness in offering strong amplification and suitability for a wide variety of hearing losses.
Pros:
• Can be used for any level of hearing loss.
• Able to last longer and be more durable.
• There are also rechargeable options.
• Having the bigger battery, you can use it for a longer time.
Cons:
• Compared to other types, these are more noticeable.
• Those with certain ears may experience discomfort because of their large size.
2. In, the, Ear (ITE) Hearing Aids
Best For: People with a mild to moderate hearing loss.
ITE hearing aids are constructed according to the exact shape of the patient’s outer ear. Because of their discreetness, they offer a combination of power and convenience that appeals to a large number of users.
Pros:
• Comfortable due to their custom, fit and the quality of sound will be improved as well.
• Less noticeable than BTE.
• Good for people with dexterity issues as easy to handle and use.
Cons:
• Their battery is small from which you may need to change it quite often.
• They are not the best choice for severe hearing loss.
3. In The Canal (ITC) Hearing Aids
Best for those that have mild to moderate hearing loss.
The size of ITC hearing aids is less than that of the ITE aids and thus they are placed in the ear canal making them almost invisible. They may not be as powerful as BTE aids but they are unobtrusive and comfortable.
Pros:
• Very discreet and less visible.
• Comfortable for many users.
• Can be custom, made for a more secure fit.
Cons:
• They have small batteries that need to be replaced more often.
• Wearers of severe hearing loss may not find them suitable.
4. Completely in the Canal (CIC) Hearing Aids
Best For: Those with a mild hearing loss.
CIC hearing aids are the least visible of the hearing devices and, are entirely situated in the ear canal. Along with being the least visible, they also give the user a whole new basic sound experience.
Pros:
• Nearly invisible.
• Are less likely to fall out, quite comfortable.
• Do not have the problem of wind noise.
Cons:
• The battery life is very short.
• These devices are not capable of handling all types of hearing losses.
• Compared to the bigger devices, they have fewer features.
Step 3: Think about the Features You Want
The current hearing aids have numerous features that promise to bring a higher quality sound and a good overall listening experience. Below are the features that can lead your hearing aid selection:
1. Digital Technology
Nowadays, the majority of hearing aids are digital; hence they can be set to import some frequencies in coherence with your hearing necessities. The digital hearing aids that are worn by you can be reprogrammed by the audiologist to fit your hearing needs perfectly.
2. Bluetooth Connectivity
The hearing aids that support Bluetooth allow the device to be connected to mobile phones, television sets, or several other gadgets that are Bluetooth, compatible. In this way, the user can easily listen to the phone calls, music, or TV programs without much hassle.
3. Noise Reduction and Directional Microphones
Through noise reduction, the user will get rid of the ambient noise and will be able to hear in a crowded or noisy place without putting extra effort. At the same time, directional microphones isolate and capture the speech coming from you or the person sitting next to you, thus verbal exchange becomes easier and clearer.
4. Rechargeability
The use of rechargeable hearing aids minimizes the problems of changing batteries from time to time. If these devices bring you the convenience of charging them at night and then wearing until the battery fades during the day, you will also benefit from the long, term savings of the replacement batteries.
5. Water, Resistant or Waterproof Features
If you have an energetic lifestyle or are troubled by the possibility that your hearing aids will be affected by moisture, then support your device with water, resistant or waterproof brands. Such minor hearing aids have been created to protect extremely from even the smallest water droplets caused by rain, sweat, or just too much humidity in the air.
Step 4: Set Your Budget
Choosing hearing aids is like making a big purchase, with prices depending on the style, features, and brand. Therefore, it is crucial to assign a reasonable budget for your hearing aids, while remembering that more advanced features like Bluetooth connectivity and noise reduction will lead to higher prices.
Yes, the initial cost might be large, but it is still a good idea to look at the long, term benefits. There are some insurance plans which might cover the expenses to some extent. One of those plans is Medicaid. Furthermore, financing options like the one provided by Softone clinic can certainly facilitate the acquisition of hearing aids.
Step 5: Work with a Professional Audiologist
Your next step is to collaborate with a professional audiologist. This comes after you have used the hearing test results, hearing aid style, and features to narrow your choices. Basically, the aim of the audiologist in doing this is for the proper fitting and adjustments. Your audiologist will help you select the perfect hearing aid for your requirements, do the necessary adjustments, and provide you with constant support to ensure your hearing aid is working at full capacity.
Conclusion
By getting the right hearing aid, you will not only be able to hear better but you will also be able to enjoy your life more than before. No matter if your hearing loss is on the low or the high side, there is a hearing aid style and technology that belongs only to you. Understanding your hearing loss, picking the right style, thinking through the main features, and setting a realistic budget will guide you on the path of finding the right kind of solution for you.
We at Softone Speech & Hearing Clinic are the ones who bring to you the entire line of hearing aids from reputable brands, together with expert audiology services to make your election. The day of your hearing test arrive without delay, and you will be taking the impossible step towards hearing improvement right there in the moment!
