Buying Hearing Aids

Hearing aids are necessary to improve the hearing and speech comprehension of people of all ages who have hearing loss. It is important to understand the causes behind your hearing, which may include:

• Disease
• Aging
• Injury
• Loud noises
• Prescription medication

The job of a hearing aid is to magnify the sounds that come to the ear. The more hearing loss you have, the more amplification your hearing aid will need to provide. It is important to visit a hearing care professional when you decide to purchase hearing aids. Hearing care professionals are highly trained medical professionals who specialize in hearing loss. Based on the type and degree of your hearing loss, the hearing healthcare provider will recommend the style of hearing aid to best improve your quality of life. If you want to know why the hearing healthcare professional is recommending a specific style of hearing aid, don’t be afraid to ask questions. Your hearing healthcare professional is there to guide you through the process of buying hearing aids.

Different Styles of Hearing Aids

There are numerous styles of hearing aids available, but the following are general types and fits you may select from:

Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids get their name because they sit in a hard plastic case that fits behind the ear. The section behind the ear is connected to a specially made earmold that fits inside the outer ear. The electronic parts are held in a hard plastic case that is worn behind the ear. This style of hearing aid is appropriate for every age. These hearing aids are for mild to profound levels of hearing loss.

In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids are fit to be worn completely inside the outer ear. These hearing aids are not recommended for children who are still growing, as they may require frequent resizing, which adds up! ITE hearing aids are suitable for mild-to-severe hearing loss. They are extremely popular because they aren’t easily seen.

In-the-canal (ITC) hearing aids are worn completely in the ear. This style is made specifically to fit the size and shape of the wearer’s ear. There are also completely-in-canal (CIC) hearing aids that are totally hidden in the ear canal. Both of these types of hearing aids are only for mild to moderately severe hearing loss because they have very limited power and volume.

Questions to Ask the Hearing healthcare professional

The first thing your hearing healthcare professional will do is recommend a specific style of hearing aid. But each style has many models available. It can seem overwhelming, but with the help of your hearing care provider you will make the right choice! To make sure you make the best choice, discuss the answers to these questions with your hearing healthcare professional:

• What features do I need and which ones will help me most?
• Is the newest technology worth the higher price?
• Do you offer a trial period?
• How long is the warranty?
• Exactly what does the warranty cover?
• Do you provide loaner hearing aids if repairs are necessary?
• Where can I get adjustments?
• Will you provide cleaning services and minor repairs?

Don’t be afraid to talk to your hearing healthcare professional. They are there to help you through the process and get the best possible hearing experience. Think of your hearing healthcare professional as your hearing aid “aide.”