How do you buy the correct hearing aids? In this article, we aim to tackle this question so that you can ease your mind on this topic. There are now hundreds of different types of hearing aids and plenty of models to choose from. Naturally, you would only want the best fit for you. The most appropriate design should not only be based on aesthetics. Comfort and pricing should also be considered when finding the right fit. You want to get the best value for your money so let’s address the following aspects to the subject below.
Available Options
What are the ideal qualities to the particular device?
The specific features to each type of hearing aids
One misconception that you need to know is that Hearing Aids will not restore your normal hearing to what it originally was. Hearing Aids can only improve your hearing by amplifying the soft sounds which then assists you in hearing. It is not a device that will magically make your hearing come back.
How do Hearing Aids Work?
Hearing aids are designed to use the same components to transmit sounds from the surrounding environment into your ear and thus amplifying them louder. Many hearing aids are now digital and equipped with specialized hearing aid cells.
The small microphones found inside, collect sounds from the surrounding environment. As one of the components, there is also a computer chip that amplifies and converts the incoming noise into a digital code. Thusly it analyzes and calibrates the sound in relation to your hearing impairment such as the listening needs the correct level of the sounds surrounding you. The amplificated signals are then transformed back into sound waves that are delivered to your ears via the small speakers inside the device.
Hearing Aids Come In Different Styles
There are a number of things that make hearing aids differ such as the following i.e. design, features, size and the way it fits and price.
The following examples are common styles for the hearing aid. Starting with the smalling that are typically less visible and more subtly placed in the ear. There are actual demands for more subtly designed hearing aids (Completely In the Canal or CIC). Although you have a particular style, it may not have the capacity to function the way you want it to such as the improvement for hearing or the cell capacity to last longer.
Characteristics of a Completely In The Canal Hearing Aid:
– In terms of size, the CIC is the least visible design
– Unlikely to pick up noise from the wind
– It yields a shorter battery life
– It’s not earwax proof, the speaker can be clogged.
– Features are minimal, it doesn’t come with extra feature such and a directional microphone.
In The Canal
The in-the-canal (ITC) hearing is custom designed by being moulded to the shape of your canal. This style is good for improving a moderate amount of hearing loss with adults.
Characteristics of an In-The-Canal hearing aid:
– More subtle than existing larger styles
– Can accommodate for more features than smaller types of hearing aid such as the CIC, but a little bit harder to calibrate because of the small design.
– It’s not earwax proof, the speaker can be clogged. This would then require constant maintenance.
In-The-Ear
In-The-Ear or ITE hearing is a custom-made Hearing Aid that is available in two styles. The first style sits inside the outer part of your ear and resembles a bowl (full shell). The second style will only fill the lower half of the bowl (half shell). Both of the designs will aid individuals that have a hearing impairment, ranging from the moderate to severe loss of hearing.
Characteristics of an In-The-Ear hearing aid:
The great thing about this hearing aid is that it will accommodate for features that you wouldn’t find on smaller designs, such as the volume control feature.
– It’s not earwax proof, the speaker can be clogged.
– Has a bigger cell, boasts a superior battery life than smaller designs.
– With the bigger designs of hearing aids, you are more likely to pick noise with the wind, unlike the smaller designs.
– This isn’t a subtle design, because of its size.
Before You Buy
As you can see above these are few of the examples of what you can get but now the question is what do you need to do before you buy?
– First, get a checkup. Arrange an appointment with your doctor to figure out the causes of your hearing loss i.e. infection, earwax. You will then need to get your hearing tested by a specialist i.e. audiologist.
– Obtain a referral to an excellent audiologist (one with a great track record). Get a referral from your doctor, if you don’t already know a good specialist to talk to. The purpose of such a specialist like an audiologist is to examine your hearing capabilities, advise you on the selection process for an appropriate hearing aid. They can calibrate the device specifically for your hearing requirements.
A professional writer with over a decade of incessant writing skills. Her topics of interest and expertise range from health, nutrition and psychology.