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Compared to purchasing glasses or contacts, two other sense correcting methods, it can be a real struggle to buy a hearing aid! With hundreds of different and expensive options, it’s definitely in your best interest to make the right decision the first time! Let’s take a quick look at both the process and what to consider when picking out your new hearing aid.
8 Things To Consider When You Buy A Hearing Aid
Do you want to have your hearing aid be as discreet as possible? The completely-in-the-canal (CIC) hearing aids will be virtually invisible from the outside, but their small size comes with disadvantages like lacking key features. If features like volume control and Bluetooth connections are a must, it might be better to look for larger styles like Behind-The-Ear (BTE).
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Earwax
You read it right! The amount of earwax buildup a person has is different. Being honest and knowing how regularly you clean your ears will especially be helpful when choosing the size of your hearing aids. Because some types are more prone to damage by earwax and some are easier to clean, be sure to consider this point when choosing your hearing aid.
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The Features
The amount of features in a hearing aid can make a huge difference in price, usage, and usability. If you listen to music very often, connecting to your music player through Bluetooth may be something that is of top priority. If you find dealing with small hearing aid batteries to be difficult and time consuming, pick up a rechargeable pair. Check out our hearing aids feature section for more information.
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Technology
Although somewhat like the above, some features may have different technology behind them. Take into factor noise reduction. One type may have a frequency threshold that reducing a certain range, whereas one type may have speech enhancement to counteract any speech that may have been reduced by that threshold. Be sure to ask your doctor the specifics of any feature so you know you’re making the best choice based on your lifestyle.
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Your Lifestyle
Think about any given day in your life. What do you enjoy doing? Where are you doing it? For example, love going to morning jogs everyday where you sweat a lot? Do you live in a dusty environment? In accordance to your daily life, your audiologist will be able to suggest you with the best style and features your hearing aid should have. Take notes and keep in mind how your lifestyle will relate to your hearing aid: both the good and the bad will serve as vital information when the audiologist tweaks your hearing aid settings.
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The Budget
There’s no way around it. Hearing aids are expensive investment pieces that you will need to set a budget for. Make sure you do all your research into the finances and costs surrounding hearing aids, including ways to receive financial support.
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Have Reasonable Expectations
Be mindful that if you buy a hearing aid, it will not return your hearing to normal! Because of this, some sounds you hear at first will seem abnormal, which is actually completely normal! Allow time to get used to the hearing aid and remember that brains are muscles too, and the more you use the device, the more quickly you will adjust to the amplified sounds. Above all, always seek support from a professional if you notice any discomfort and stay positive by celebrating the small improvements.
The hearing device market is expanding rapidly as with the technology in the devices. Some devices are able to distinguish noise and speech, while only reducing noise to hear sounds that you want to hear. The most important thing is to understand where your state of hearing is. Unlike online hearing tests, in-person hearing tests with an audiologist will be able to rule out any physical conditions like earwax buildup and determine what kind of device you need. Be sure to seek professional help before making purchases online for hearing devices.
Remember…
Now that you have an idea of what to consider when looking to buy a hearing aid, where are you going to pick yours up? While the traditional method of buying a hearing aid, the audiologist, remains a great idea as ever, there are now a number of alternative ways to pick one up.
Despite this, we cannot stress enough how important it is to consult with an audiologist or a hearing aid professional when considering purchasing hearing aids. Their qualified opinion and help will be irreplaceable when making sense of all the options available.
The information in this guide has been written using the following reliable sources:
https://mayfieldclinic.com, https://www.hearingdirect.com, https://www.mayoclinic.org, https://www.webmd.com
