Choosing A Hearing Aid
Confused about choosing a hearing aid. Many people are, which is why they frequently will go with the hearing aid that their audiologist recommends.
Nevertheless, there are quite a few choices people should know about rather than just going by what their audiologist recommends or going with the brand most of the family uses.
Here are some of the basics.
What are the 6 different basic styles of hearing aids?
In order to get the proper fit and style best for you, those who are investigating a hearing aid, or deciding they need a hearing aid change should know these 6 different types.
They are:
- A completely in the ear hearing aidMolded to fit inside your ear, the completely in-the-ear hearing aid is the smallest of all hearing aids and the least visible.
On the other hand, completely in-the-ear hearing aids often do not feature extra features such as volume control or directional microphones.
- In the canal hearing aidsA little larger than a completely in-the-ear hearing aid, these aids are still discreet and are custom-molded to the individual. In the canal hearing aids often have added features such as that an in-the-ear hearing aid does not.
- In-the-ear hearing aids.These hearing aids come in two styles, a full shell and half shell style variety. A full shell completely fits the bowl of the ear, while a half shell fills only the lower part of the bowl of the ear.
While somewhat more noticeable, this type of hearing aid has room for a larger, long-lasting battery, voice control and are available with dual directional microphones.
- Behind the ear hearing aids are next.Traditionally these have been the standard hearing aid for most people. While they are more visible, the advantage is that behind the ear hearing aids are suitable for just about any type of hearing loss.
However, there have been great advances in all types of hearing aid and today’s behind-the-ear hearing aid may be smaller than you think.
- Receiver in canal or a receiver in the ear hearing aidsA modified behind the ear type hearing aid, the receiver goes either in the ear canal or in the ear using a tiny wire rather than tubing.
The advantage of the receiver in canal or receiver in the ear hearing aid is that the behind the ear portion is less visible.
- Open fit hearing aidsThese are similar to behind the ear, but the receivers leave the ear more open. This may produce more natural sounds than available for many hearing aids.
On the negative side is that an open-fit hearing aid is definitely more visible.
What are the main factors of a hearing aid?
Besides their visibility and their effectiveness, the main factors that will determine what kind of hearing aid you obtain will depend upon several factors. If you are looking for cheap, you can find the best hearing aids under $100.
- First, what kind of hearing loss you have?
- Your age
- Whether you are capable of managing small devices
- Your lifestyle
- The cost.Unfortunately, hearing aids are not cheap. Normally, good hearing aids start at around $1,000 and can be as expensive as $6,000 or more. It depends upon the features and also about the support provided to maintain them.
Above all, work with a reputable audiologist and go with the better hearing aid companies.
Studies show that that upwards of 90 percent and above are very satisfied with their hearing aid if it’s from a reputable company. However, those who feel they received incomplete fittings were satisfied only around 14 percent of the time.
There is strong evidence that those without proper hearing aids are losing out not only on social conversations but losing out financially in the workplace as well.
Untreated hearing loss can lead to losses as great as $12,000 per year.
Fortunately, many Health Insurance plans now cover hearing aids, and many veterans can obtain help from the Veteran’s administration as well.