Once your hearing loss has been diagnosed and amplification has been recommended by your audiologist, it is time to start the process of choosing a hearing aid. There are several styles to choose from, and you will need the advice of your hearing care provider to make sure that the correct one is chosen.
Here are some features to consider:
Cosmetics
A lot of patients worry about how hearing aids look on/in the ear or more importantly how visible the devices are to others. Luckily, hearing aids vary in size and how they fit.
Hearing Loss Severity
Not all hearing aids are appropriate for all hearing losses. Your audiologist will describe your hearing loss and why some hearing aids are a better option than others to provide you with the best outcomes possible.
Technology
One of the most important decisions in choosing specific hearing aids is the technology level. There are multiple different levels available. Some hearing aid technology is more sophisticated than others including features, adaptability to different environments, automatic v. manual changes, etc. In general, better technology levels will perform better in noise and wind, among other things. Your audiologist is the best person to describe these differences in detail and help decide which technology level is best for you depending on your hearing lifestyle and what is important to you. The level of technology is the biggest factor in determining the price of the hearing aid set.
Features
Along with the specific level of technology chosen, patients will work with their providers to decide what features are most important to them. Some of these might include rechargeability, Bluetooth compatibility such as streaming and use with an app or remote control functions.
Dexterity
Some patients may have numbness or shaky hands and fingers. Hearing aids need to be inserted and removed daily so the patient may need to choose one style of hearing aids over another simply because they can manipulate it easier. The power source of hearing aids is also dependent on the patient being able to use them easily – such as size of batteries or rechargeability.
Personal Preference
There are more specific choices after a style of hearing aid is chosen, including size and color.
If you have any questions about choosing a hearing aid that will be right for you, feel free to contact any of our seven locations.