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4 Things to Consider Before Choosing Hearing Aids
Hearing aids have experienced significant innovation in recent years
Hearing aids are an essential item for millions of people with hearing loss. These incredibly savvy devices are designed to absorb, amplify, and process speech as well as sound. This provides the auditory system with tremendous support, making it easier to hear and communicate. Similar to most electronic devices, hearing aids have experienced significant innovation in recent years. Today’s devices are savvier and sleeker than ever before, and they have become so small that even your closest friends may not even notice them. They offer a range of styles, features, and technologies that deliver sharp sound quality and create optimal hearing experiences in everyday life. With many to choose from, navigating your options can be challenging. But there are a few important factors you should consider to help you select the best device for your hearing and lifestyle needs.
Learn about the 4 things to consider when choosing hearing aids
Once you have the results of your hearing test, and you have confirmation that you do have hearing loss, there are 4 main things to consider before purchasing hearing aids. They are described in this video and in the text below.
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Style
The large majority of hearing aids on the market today can be divided into 2 categories:
Behind-the-ear hearing aid: These hearing aids are worn behind the ear which house most of the electronic components. A tiny wire connects this casing to the ear tip which slides into the ear canal. The microphones are located inside the casing and they absorb and amplify the sound, and send it through the wire and to the ear canal. Most modern behind-the-ear devices are now rechargeable and are equipped with Bluetooth for connection to your mobile phone. They are also highly miniaturized and are barely visible on your ear.
In-the-ear hearing aid: As in behind-the-ear devices, they also consist of electronic components housed in a hard casing, but these are custom-made using a mould taken of your ear canals and they typically fit entirely inside the ear canal. Even so, these devices are still visible from the side. In-the-ear hearing aids most often require you to change the battery roughly once per week. The smallest models are not equipped with Bluetooth, due to size constraints of these tiny devices. The larger models have Bluetooth and are designed to be very visible in the ear.
Lifestyle
In addition to quantifying your hearing loss, the choice of hearing aid also depends on your lifestyle. This includes the types of environments you regularly navigate through and the activities you normally participate in. Your work life, your social life, your hobbies, as well as your exercise and travel habits are all important factors when choosing the best hearing aids for you. These lifestyle factors help pin down the features and characteristics that your hearing aids need to have in order to best support your hearing needs.
Budget
We all know that hearing aids are an important investment. Hearing aid prices are determined by the type of hearing aid as well as the technologies that the device offers. Keep in mind that hearing aids can last up to 10 years, and often longer than that, and that just like your eyeglasses, they will accompany you from morning until bedtime for years to come.
Technology
Today’s hearing aids offer numerous features and technologies that are designed to optimally support your hearing in everyday settings. This includes digital noise reduction, voice recognition, wireless connectivity, tinnitus management and more. The newest models of hearing aids are also rechargeable and they offer Bluetooth connection to your mobile phone, television and other electronic devices. Be sure to discuss all the latest features with your hearing healthcare provider who can help you identify the technologies that can best serve you.
These considerations and strategies can help you navigate your hearing aid options. Taking the time and making an informed decision supports you in getting the most out of your hearing aids.
