With so many types and models of hearing aids on the market, which one is right for you? To make the best choice for your hearing needs, you need to do some homework. There are important tips and information that can help you when buying hearing aids. Explore everything you need to know about hearing aids before buying them with this helpful guide.
Have a Hearing Test.
Check how hearing aids work.
Bring your hearing back.
Talk with Your Audiologist.
Find the Right Type of Hearing Aid.
Check the Features Found in the Hearing Aids.
Check the Price of Hearing Aids.
Buying hearing aids is not as easy as jumping online and placing an order within minutes. Instead, it necessitates you get a hearing test and talk with a hearing specialist to check which options work best for you. You are going to wear them all day and all the time, so you need to know what to consider before purchasing them.
So, if you have decided to improve your hearing quality, what next? As an intelligent buyer, there are many things to consider before doing your purchase.
Have a Hearing Test
The initial step to your journey is admitting that you need hearing aids. If you suspect you have hearing loss, it is requested that you have a diagnostic hearing test. This can give an accurate measure of your hearing loss. By having your ears checked, you can find all the reasons affecting your hearing such as injury, wax buildup and infection. You will also know if you need one of the larger hearing aids.
Following your hearing test, you can receive a referral to an otolaryngologist, commonly known as ear, nose and throat doctor (ENT), in the following cases:
Pain drainage
Vertigo
Uneven or asymmetrical hearing loss
Unusual patterns of hearing loss
Check How Hearing Aids Work.
You have to understand that hearing aids are devices that fit in or behind the ear. In order to buy them, you have to know how they work. They are specially designed to amplify the frequencies of sound. Although Widex hearing aids come in a variety of sizes and shapes, they all work in the same way.
They pick the sound, turn it into digital information and send it to a receiver that is like a tiny loudspeaker. This converts all the information back into sounds you hear.
Understand That Hearing Aids Won’t Bring Your Hearing Back.
It should be clear to you that hearing aids can’t restore your normal hearing or cure your hearing loss, since they don’t regenerate or replace hair cells that have been damaged. However, they can improve it by amplifying sounds and making things easier to hear.
Talk with Your Audiologist.
After your hearing test, you should consider seeing an audiologist. They are specifically educated, licensed and trained to diagnose and treat hearing disorders. They will check your hearing test and have a look at your medical history. Based on that, they perform further appropriate diagnostic tests in order to recommend the available treatment options, which are:
Using hearing aids
Auditory training
Referring a medical doctor or surgeon for hearing conditions that require cochlear implants
Find the Right Type of Hearing Aid.
Hearing aids are not all the same as there are different models and styles. Some types fit behind the ear, while others fit withing the ear canal. Generally, you will find hearing aid types including:
Invisible-in-the-canal (IIC)
Completely-in-the-canal (CIC)
In-the-canal (ITC)
In-the-ear (ITE)
Behind-the-ear (BTE)
Receiver-in-canal (RIC)
Open-fit
In certain cases, such as arthritis, you might find difficulty inserting and removing small hearing aids, so choosing larger hearing aids might be easier to handle. In this case, considering your dexterity is essential.
The device you choose must suit your needs and should fit the following criteria:
type of hearing loss
lifestyle
budget
ease of use
Check the Features Found in the Hearing Aids.
Background noise filtering
Smartphone connectivity
Degree of visibility
Battery recharge ability
Comfort
Some types can be connected wirelessly to the phones, filter out background noise and run on rechargeable batteries. If you use electronic devices like laptops or cell phones that are capable of sending a wireless signal, then you may want a hearing aid that is compatible with wireless devices important for your usage.
Check the Price of Hearing Aids.
Hearing aids can be expensive due to the technology and features added, along with other factors such as the design and the brand itself.
Certain expenses are also taken into consideration:
Testing
Supplies
Treatment
Routine maintenance
Insurance
When you notice hearing loss, it is best to see an audiologist for a full hearing evaluation in order to discuss and evaluate all the options available to improve your hearing. Armed with the information above, you can make an informed choice on which hearing aid is right for you in conjunction with your audiologist.