Understanding your specific type of hearing loss and the right type of hearing aid for your needs is a crucial step. There are various types of hearing loss, including conductive, sensorineural, and mixed. Your hearing health professional, a trusted guide in this journey, will be working with you to help you navigate this process. Despite the stigma around wearing hearing aids and the fact that nearly 29 million Americans could benefit from one, knowing how hearing aids have evolved and can help you will make the process easier and improve your quality of life.
This post will look at how to choose the right hearing aid for your needs.
Know the Different Styles
Before making a decision, it’s important to do some research into the different types and styles of hearing aids on the market. You can explore behind-the-ear devices, which sit inside the ear with the casing sitting externally behind the ear. These are often more comfortable for long-term use and can accommodate a wider range of hearing loss. Alternatively, there are more discreet options like ear devices that sit fully in the ear or canal devices that sit fully inside the ear canal. These are less visible but may not be suitable for severe hearing loss. This knowledge will help you make a choice that suits your preferences and needs.
Your Needs
If you only need to wear your hearing aid for short periods in certain situations, then a behind-the-ear device could work better for you as it’s easier to remove. For example, if you’re in a quiet office environment and only need the aid for occasional conversations. However, if you need a more discreet look because you need to wear glasses or safety equipment at work, such as hard hats for ear defenders, then choosing an in-the-ear style could work better so it won’t interfere with your equipment and will give you a better experience. Think about what you need from the device fit-wise to help you narrow down your choices.
Functions
Over the years, hearing aids, much like most things, have evolved drastically. They are no longer big bulky units that stand out and are awkward to wear and use. The historical evolution of hearing aids has provided modern devices that are smaller, more capable, and user-friendly. They can also come equipped with a range of features such as app connectivity, AI integration, WiFi connectivity, and more; some can take calls or stream music, while others filter out background noise and offer directional technology to help you focus in busy environments. Most importantly, they offer a custom and personalized hearing aid experience tailored specifically for you, making you feel valued and catered to.
Ask for A Trial
When getting assessed for your hearing aid, it’s crucial to ask for a trial. This enables you to see what type of style and features will work best for you and your lifestyle. While this might not be available from all providers, in some cases, you might be able to trial a device for a few weeks to see how you find it before committing to purchasing it. Remember, each device needs to be individually fitted to your ear shape for a custom and comfortable fit, and the settings will be configured exactly to your hearing, depending on the level of loss you’re experiencing. This process puts you in control of your decision-making, making you feel empowered over your final choice.