Do you suffer from hearing loss? If so then you’re not alone. There are approximately 28 million Americans that have some form of a hearing loss. The number of hearing impaired individuals keeps increasing and the users are becoming younger. There are many different hearing aid styles and types available now to accompany the various forms of hearing loss for all ages. Here are 5 tips on choosing the right hearing aid to accompany your hearing loss.
- Know Your Hearing Loss Type
If you are having trouble hearing then the first step to take is to schedule a hearing appointment with an audiologist. He or she will test your hearing for various sounds and frequencies along with your ability to hear things clearly. After your hearing test you may find that you would benefit from wearing hearing aids. Your audiogram will show which areas you have the most trouble with. Discuss the results with your audiologist to determine what types of hearing aids work best for your hearing loss.A higher hearing loss will require a more powerful hearing aid. Moderate or low hearing loss will give you more hearing aid options to choose from as you won’t need quite as much power. If you have low clarity you may also want to try one of the new SUMO hearing aids made by Oticon. These hearing aids are made with custom alloys, and precision metal stamping to offer a stronger sense of clarity. These especially work well in noisy environments and with individuals with high-frequency hearing loss.
- Consider Cosmetic Appearance
Younger hearing aid users may feel a bit self-conscious about their appearance when it comes to hearing aids. They want to wear ones that are more discreet. Fortunately, many hearing aids are now made to be very small so that they are less visible. In-the-ear hearing aids are some of the most discreet. However, if you have a very high hearing loss then you would benefit more from a bigger hearing aid as it can offer more power. Hearing aid makers are also beginning to appeal more to younger children as some offer hearing aids in various colors now. Talk to your audiologist for more information about cosmetically appealing hearing aids.
- Consider Your Lifestyle
Do you work outdoors a lot in harsh conditions? Will you be under water or in rain a lot? These may be important factors to consider when choosing the best hearing aid for your lifestyle. A few hearing aid manufacturers now produce water proof hearing aids and other hearing aids that are built extra tough to withstand harsh conditions. They may be a bit more costly than other, more traditional hearing aids, but they can save you a lot of money down the road as you will not need as many repairs or replacements.
- Compare Costs
The price of hearing aids can vary depending on the brand and who is selling them. Retail stores often sell hearing aids for a cheap price, but then you’ll have to pay more later for cleanings, checkups, and adjustments. On the other hand, purchasing hearing aids from an authorized audiologist such as Miracle Ear may cost you more upfront, but cleanings, checkups, and minor adjustments are free of charge. Try to think of how often you may need adjustments or checkups to help decide on the better option.
- Think Ahead
Always think ahead when buying hearing aids. It is common for hearing to decrease over time, but rare for it to increase. Buy a more powerful hearing aid that has room for added volume (this is especially true with digital hearing aids) in case you experience a decrease in your hearing. Plan on purchasing a warranty with your hearing aids to cover costs of repair should they become damage. Hearing aid repairs can become very expensive without warranties.
Have you ever purchased hearing aids for yourself or a family member? What was your experience like?
