Today’s hearing aid market is full of devices with outstanding options and features. This means that shopping for the perfect pair of hearing aids for you can be a complex task.
It’s vital to have a knowledgeable audiologist at your side throughout the hearing device selection process.
It’s our number one priority to pair each of our patients with the best hearing aids for their needs. Here is some important information you need to know before you begin the process of selecting a hearing device.
What to Consider When Choosing Hearing Aids
Plenty of factors play a role in hearing aid selection. While this choice can feel overwhelming, remember that we’ll be here to guide you through many aspects of the process. Some of the most important factors to consider include:
- Appearance.Most patients wear their hearing aids everyday, so considering your cosmetic concerns is very important. Choose a pair of hearing aids that allows you to maintain your self-confidence at work, at home and in social situations so that you’re sure to wear your devices day in and day out.
- Hearing needs. Depending on the type of hearing loss you have (sensorineural or conductive), it’s frequency (high or low) and its severity (from mild to profound), we’ll make certain recommendations for which types of hearing devices can offer you the most benefits for your lifestyle.
- Lifestyle. Different hearing aids are designed to function their best in different situations. Some hearing aids work better in the home, while others are excellent for business or classroom settings. You should discuss your lifestyle, activity level and habits with your audiologist in order to choose a pair that’s appropriate for your needs.
- Functionality. Today’s hearing aids offer a wide range of capabilities, and different devices come with different features such as Bluetooth connectivity, telecoil technology and more. You should always consider what features each type of device offers in order to choose the ones that will work best for you.
- Cost. Hearing aids are a big investment that isn’t always fully covered by insurance. While it’s important to spend your money on a pair that will meet your needs and expectations, it’s also critical that you stick to a reasonable budget that isn’t a financial burden to you and your family.
- Accessories. Hearing aid accessories offer assistance in areas where hearing aids may fall short. Different accessories can help you with important tasks such as connecting directly to electronics like TV and MP3 players or hearing in challenging settings such as movie theaters and lecture halls. Consider which accessories would help you most, and ensure you opt for devices that offer your top accessory options.