4 STEPS TO CHOOSING THE RIGHT HEARING AID

Hearing loss can come on so gradually that you don’t even notice. It is therefore important to pay attention if others around you start telling you that you aren’t listening or that you have the television up too loud. If your hearing loss has progressed to the point that you can’t make out what people are saying to you a lot of the time, then you already know you have a problem.

A hearing aid could significantly improve the quality of your life. The first step is to be assessed by an audiologist. It is important to know just where you stand before shopping for a hearing aid. Hearing loss level is one of a number of factors to consider when purchasing a hearing device. The others are budget, technology, lifestyle factors and hearing aid style.

There are four main things to consider when looking for a hearing aid:

1. TYPES OF HEARING AIDS. While many people choose their hearing aid based on appearance and lifestyle, the true measure of whether it is right for you is whether it is suitable for your level of hearing loss. For example, if a person has severe hearing loss, a CIC (completely in the canal) model will not be suitable.

This is the smallest type of hearing aid so it tends to be preferred as it is almost invisible to an observer. However, CICs can only be used by people with a large enough ear canal to accommodate the insertion.

An ITC (In the Canal) model is a bit larger than a CIC and is also inserted deep into the ear canal. It contains a larger battery and can be used for mild to moderate hearing loss. An ITE (In the Ear) model is suitable for a wide range of hearing loss levels as they are larger and have enhanced sound amplifiers and are often considered easier to manage.

Finally, a BTE (Behind the Ear) hearing aid is positioned behind the ear and drives sound to the ear canal. This model is a popular choice for children who have difficulty hearing. The BTE style is able to provide much better amplification than the smaller options and usually comes in a range of colors to blend with hair and skin tone. These styles can use either analog or digital technology. A digital hearing aid will provide the best sound adjustment.

2. COST. The prices of hearing aids vary depending on the features, style, advanced microphones, accessories, telephone coils, and insurance coverage. Obviously, whether you require one or two aids will affect pricing. On average, the cost of a pair of hearing aids will range between $500 and $6,000 with digital hearing aids tending to be on the high side.

3. TECHNOLOGY. If you are on a strict budget, basic analog hearing devices are probably your best option to alleviate hearing loss. The biggest problem with analog models is that they provide the same amount of amplification despite variations in sound. This means that users can sometimes receive too much sound and at other times, too little.

However, programmable analog hearing aids do offer adjustments to amplification and some models come with multiple settings which can be altered using a remote control or by pushing a button on the hearing aid itself.

Digital hearing aids provide the best sound control because they separate sound into different bands and channels and provide the most accurate conformity to hearing loss prescription requirements.

4. HOW TO PURCHASE. Most hearing loss patients still purchase their hearing aids from either a hearing aid dispenser (often an audiologist who tests and also provides) or directly from the hearing aid manufacturer.

However, the internet has introduced an alternative purchase option. Many manufacturers are now selling their products directly to the customer over the internet with special offers and discounts and auction sites such as Ebay often offer hearing aids which allow people with hearing loss to bid what they want to pay for these products.

Some ‘buy now’ prices are substantially less than buying hearing aids through regular channels. This is good news if you would prefer a digital hearing aid but cannot afford the normal pricing.

As with any expensive and important purchase, you need to carefully research your options and compare the prices of different brands and models. If you follow these steps, you will make the best possible choice of hearing aid for your own hearing loss needs.