Modern-day advances in technology ensure that your hearing loss can be effectively remedied with the right hearing aid model.
The trouble is choosing the right one.
With all of the hearing aid models on the market, it can feel a little overwhelming. But by taking into account four factors—together with help from a qualified hearing care professional—you can easily find the perfect hearing aid model for you.
How All Hearing Aids Work
Before we discuss the differences, it helps to remember how all hearing aids have basically the same parts.
Modern-day digital hearing aids are small electronic devices that are composed of four standard parts:
- The microphone picks up environmental sound and transfers it to the digital processor.
- The digital processor adjusts the sound signal based on the settings programmed by the hearing specialist. The modified sound signal is then transferred to the amplifier.
- The amplifier increases the volume of the sound based on the programmed settings, amplifying only the frequencies the patient has difficulty hearing. This signal is then directed to the speaker.
- The speaker supplies the magnified sound to the ear, leading to louder, clearer sound.
Every hearing aid also has a battery, control and volume switches, and additional features and functions that we’ll discuss next.
How Hearing Aids Are Different
While all hearing aids have the same basic parts, there are four variables that render each model different. When deciding on a hearing aid model, your hearing specialist will help you narrow down your choices based on the four variables, which are:
- Style – There are many different styles of hearing aids. The style most appropriate for you depends on several things such as the degree of your hearing loss, your dexterity, and your listening objectives.
- Ease of use – Will a smaller hearing aid be too challenging for you to physically manipulate? Would you like to use your cell phone as your hearing aid remote control?
- Functionality – Do you need telecoils so you can utilize your hearing aids with your mobile phone? How about directional microphones so you can concentrate on conversation?
- Price – Most hearing care professionals are very good at uncovering a hearing aid that will meet your desires and your finances. The hearing aid your hearing specialist recommends is always based upon where they think you will get the largest return for what you are spending. Financing options are also available.
Let’s examine the four variables in more detail.
Hearing Aid Style
Hearing aids are available in a range of styles, and your selection might depend simply on aesthetic preference.
The following are some of the most popular styles:
Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids – these have the majority of the hearing aid parts contained in a compact plastic case that rests behind the ear; the case is then linked to an earmold or an earpiece by a piece of clear tubing. Mini-BTE aids can also be found that are smaller. These hearing aids are easy to manipulate and easy to maintain.
In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids – these have all of the hearing aid parts contained in a shell that fills in the exterior part of the ear. The ITE aids are smaller than the behind-the-ear aids but larger than the in-the-canal aids. These hearing aids are easier to handle than the more compact in-the-canal aids and less conspicuous than the behind-the-ear aids.
In-the-canal (ITC) hearing aids and completely-in-the-canal (CIC) hearing aids – these hearing aids are contained in very small cases that fit partially or completely in the ear canal, making them virtually undetectable.
In regards to selecting a style, consider the tradeoffs among size, ease-of-use, battery life, and performance, and ensure that you talk about these items with your hearing specialist.
Hearing Aid Ease-of-Use
A consideration that is often overlooked is ease-of-use. While completely-in-the-canal hearing aids have the appeal of being small, they may also be tough to handle, in which case you may favor the behind-the-ear styles.
You might also wish to look into digital hearing aids that can be manipulated with mobile technology, such as a cell phone or digital watch. This makes it convenient to monitor battery life, modify the volume, and transition between environmental presets programmed by your hearing specialist.
Hearing Aid Functionality
Performance is typically a concern, and you should discuss with your hearing specialist about any unique situations or activities you commonly perform. For example, if you regularly use the phone, you’ll most likely want hearing aids outfitted with telecoils or Bluetooth compatibility.
Also inquire about directional microphones and background noise suppression that can enhance your capacity to hear speech and engage in conversation.
Hearing Aid Cost and Financing
Finally, after evaluating the above factors, you need to set the price you’re willing to invest for the benefits you’ll enjoy from better hearing.
While it’s true that no one can make this determination for you, most of our patients have felt that the ability to clearly hear sound and speech without constantly straining is worthy of the price.
In fact, the monthly cost of a hearing aid is usually less than the per month cost of cable television—and hearing aids will have a more substantial influence on your total quality of life than watching reruns of Law and Order.
Final Thoughts
After you have a picture of what you’re interested in, your hearing specialist can assist you to pin down the options. Then, you can choose the model that fulfills all of your needs for style, ease-of-use, functionality, and cost.
Once you’ve picked out your optimal model, your hearing specialist will then custom-program the hearing aids to best amplify sound in accordance to your individual hearing loss, which was calculated during the hearing test (audiogram). And keep in mind, irrespective of what model you decide on, it won’t function correctly unless programmed by a hearing care professional.
Last, you’ll have the opportunity to test your new hearing aids during the trial period. It will take a bit of time to get accustomed to them, but after a short while you’ll be amazed at how clearly you can hear sound and speech.
If you’re ready to discover your optimal pair of hearing aids, talk to us today!