Today’s technology offers a staggering number of options to help people suffering from hearing loss. But having such a wide variety of options can get overwhelming. The best way to buy a new hearing aid is to work with a qualified audiologist. What’s also important, before you make a final decision on buying, is to get familiar with the pros and cons of different styles and sizes of the hearing aids available along with seeing if the hearing aid of your choice fits within your budget. Let’s look at a few tips that can help you make the right buying
decision.
Sound Amplifiers And Hearing Aids
Many pharmacies and electronic stores sell inexpensive sound amplifiers over the counter. But sound amplifiers work by just turning up the volume. Whereas hearing aids are like small computers that digitize the sound that they pick up and filter it, before transmitting it into your ear. This doesn’t just improve the quality of sound, but also filters out distracting background noises.
Styles And Sizes
While hearing aids are similar in design when it comes to the basic parts that fit into the ear and amplify hearing, there are many different styles to choose from, like in-canal- aids, in-ear- aids and behind-the- ear aids. These hearing aids range from the in-the- canal pieces that are almost completely invisible, to the bigger in-the- ear styles that are very visible and fill up most of the lower portion of the ear. The most commonly used styles have a piece that goes behind the ear and connects to a receiver in the ear canal. The smaller aids are usually suitable for people with minimal hearing loss and the behind- the-ear aids are better suited for people with more severe hearing loss.
Special Features
The newer varieties of hearing aids come with many additional features, like the ability to program multiple settings, controlling them with a remote and using a telecoil to be able to hear better when speaking on the phone. Some of the newer ones also connect to a program called Hearing Loop, which transmits sounds from public speakers and televisions into the hearing aids directly. But these features come with an additional cost, which is why it’s a good idea to consider when you would need the most hearing support before you opt for a hearing aid.
Volume Control
Volume control is another factor to consider when selecting a hearing aid. It becomes even more important if you happen to be sensitive to certain noises or the wind in the background. There are many digital models that have automatic volume control that senses noise and adjusts the volume accordingly, while the ones with manual control allow the user to turn the volume up or down, depending on their requirement. You can also buy a digital model with a manual override feature.
Cost
Cost is an important consideration when choosing and buying a hearing aid. While it is a good idea to save money, it shouldn’t mean purchasing a hearing aid that’s inferior in quality. Doing your bit of research, reading up reviews of people who have already experienced the product and comparing the costs of different brands and models can help you choose a product that has all the features you desire and is within your planned budget. Also, it would be a good idea to check if your current health insurance plan covers the cost of hearing aids, as this can save you a significant amount of money. Most insurance companies do not cover the cost of hearing aids, but some carriers do offer a partial coverage, so it is definitely worth checking.
