You’d be surprised to know that over two-thirds of US adults aged seventy years and above suffer from hearing loss. Hearing aids are the technological equivalent of a godsend for these individuals.
Hearing aids are designed to help manage and overcome slight disabilities. You’ll find several types, shapes, sizes, features, and brands of hearing aids in the markets. While choices make them a more personalized item, it also adds to the confusion.
So here we are with the best pro tips and a complete guide for choosing the best hearing aids.
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Ultimate Buying Guide – Best Hearing Aids 2022
Like buying a gadget, your eyewear, or any other product, picking out the first option isn’t always the best idea. Since the hearing aids will be with you for a long time, you need to invest in one you are most comfortable with.
Here are some guidelines to understand the features and key factors to consider when purchasing a hearing aid. First things first, let’s start with the hearing specialist.
Visit An Audiologist
Of course, the first person you meet to evaluate your hearing would be an audiologist. One may even have to visit an Otolaryngologist (commonly known as the ENT specialist) or a hearing Instrument Specialist upon their recommendation for a complete analysis.
Your specialist knows the extent of hearing loss, the cause, and complete diagnosis. Thus, they are the best person to recommend you a hearing aid or kind of hearing aids. Once you’ve got an idea of the kind of hearing aid you need, you can look at the following features.
Types of Hearing Aids
One of the first things to consider is which type of hearing aid you wish to go for?
There are several hearing aids designed for a specific type of hearing loss and per an individual’s lifestyle.
RIC – Receiver In Canal
The most common type is the RIC or RIE (Receiver in Ear). The RIC has an earmold and a thin wire that attaches it to the ear.
mBTE – Mini Behind the Ear
This is approximately the same size and shape as the RIE. The only difference is that there is a speaker inside the hearing aid. In addition, it is connected with a thin tube that carries the sound waves to the ear.
BTE – Behind the Ear
This one has the electronic parts behind the ear. A tube runs to the inner ear and goes into the earmold.
CIC – Completely in the Ear
These go entirely in the ear, so if you need the least visible ones, these are guaranteed to be discreet. However, remember that these are not as effective as others in eliminating all the background noises.
ITC – In The Canal
This one works more like a microphone in your ear. It comes with a few features but is usually simple in design.
ITE – In The Ear
In this one, all the components are placed in the outer ear. ITEs are large and come with additional features like volume control etc. The battery also lasts longer than the other versions.
Size
There are big hearing aids that are visible and externally go around the ear.
However, if you want it to be a discreet device, you need to opt for small ones. These typically have fewer features than larger hearing aids.
Price
It is best to decide on the budget before you step out and look around clueless at the store. The prices usually go by a few hundred dollars but vary depending on the features, design, and style. Check this for pricing comparison.
Battery Life
There may be disposable or rechargeable batteries, and the lifespan of each varies per design and style of the hearing aid. Typically the battery life lasts from three to seventeen days.
But if you don’t want to get into the hassle of batteries, you can also find great options in rechargeable hearing aids.
Compatibility
If you wish to use the hearing aid features like connectivity with TV, radio, or cell phones, you can check for these. Some of these work well with iPods and MP3 players as well.
Features
Some of the key features you may consider are:
- Directional Microphone: Improves hearing by eliminating background noise.
- Compression: Keeps the sound pitch and loudness stable and comfortable.
- Feedback Cancellation: Cancels out the ‘whistling’ sounds in the hearing aid.
- Digital Noise Reduction: Improve the sound quality in areas with a lot of background noise.
- Memory: Store different sound settings for different environments.
- Wireless Connectivity: Connect with cell phones and MP3 players, and other gadgets via Bluetooth.
Conclusion
Getting the right hearing aid is not as easy as buying clothes off a shelf. The more your research, the higher your chance of finding hearing aids that suit your needs and style. We hope this guide gives you perspective and helps you find the right hearing aid.
