You already recognize that you need hearing aids, so what now? Hearing aids will soon become an important part of your life, so choosing the right type makes a difference. There are many different kinds of hearing aids out there including some pretty flimsy ones that are found only on the Internet. Only you know how much you can afford to spend and what quality of hearing aids you are willing to buy. What should you expect when investing in hearing aids?
Cheap Internet Imitations Are Not Really Hearing Aids
Hearing assistance devices which are found on the internet are not really a bargain and their not actually hearing aids. They are very low-quality and don’t perform very well. Batteries can be expensive when you need to replace them constantly.
Amplifying sound is the only thing these poor-quality devices can do. You get a number of different technologies in a modern high-quality hearing aid that can be customized to your specific needs. You can go cheap and buy one online but you will lose out on important features.
You need to understand that your new hearing aids will be an investment in your future. Hearing impacts every aspect of your life so it’s not the place to try and save money. Be sure to get the hearing aids you actually need. Even if you can’t afford them there could be other solutions.
Analog Vs. Digital
A higher quality, more dependable sound is delivered by digital hearing aids and they’re far more consistent too. It’s not even worth spending the time to look at analog units.
If you shop at a reputable hearing aid seller, all of the hearing aids will be digital. You need to be careful because analog devices are still out there if you don’t know what to look for. Analog means the kind of audio signal the hearing aid gets and the quality of the sound. The sound quality is very inconsistent with old analog units.
Choosing The Ideal Features
There are actually two sides to hearing aid shopping: features and style. You want features that make your life easier in a style that is comfortable. A few common features to think about include:
- Noise reduction
- Synchronization
- Directional microphones
- Bluetooth
- Rechargeable batteries
- Remote controls
- Environmental noise control
- Variable programming
- Telecoils
- Wireless connectivity
- Direct audio input
Consider the Styles
There are numerous styles available, as you will realize when you start researching hearing aids. That’s good news since it means there is surely a style that will be ideal for your needs. Some of the different styles are:
- Behind-the-Ear (BTE)
- Receiver-in-the-Canal (RIC)
- Open Fit
- Receiver-in-the-Ear (RIE)
- In-the-Ear (ITE)
- In-the-Ear (ITE)
To get a fairly good idea of each style just have a look at their names. BTE means “behind the ear” and that’s just where it goes. It connects to clear tubing and an ear-mold that sits at the opening of the ear canal.
As is obvious by the name, ITE devices go “in the ear”. It’s a single unit that goes in the opening of the ear canal. Nothing attaches behind the ear. ITC devices are very similar but they go deeper into the ear, making them harder to see.
RIC devices and RIE hearing aids have a “receiver in the canal” and a “receiver in the ear” respectively, which are then connected to a unit behind the ear. These types of hearing aids are less conspicuous than a BTE.
As opposed to having ear-molds, open fit models, which are a kind of BTE, have a little tube that goes into the ear canal. This style is a good choice for people who don’t like the feeling of something inside their ear.
Your job is to go over each of these options and figure out which of them matter the most to you. For instance, Bluetooth is a great feature to have, especially if you talk on your smartphone or computer a lot. You can save money on replacement batteries if you get a model with a rechargeable battery and a telecoil is ideal for listening to lectures or seminars.
Lastly, Your Buying Options Should be Considered
Most qualified retailers will offer custom fitting and a free trial period. That’s where you want to go to buy your hearing aids. Truthfully, when it comes to hearing aids, you can’t be sure until you try them, so having the chance to wear them for a while helps.
A good quality hearing aid will come with a good warranty so make sure you check that out as well. What kind of coverage does it come with? Do you get a new hearing aid if something goes wrong or will the warranty only cover parts and possibly labor?
Before picking out hearing aids schedule an appointment with a hearing care professional for a checkup and hearing test, also. There are many reasons you might notice a change in your hearing and they don’t all require hearing aids.