Choosing the right hearing aid for you: Lifestyle and Budget
There are many different hearing aids on the market today and comparing hearing aids can be kind of confusing if you're not sure which one will work for you. But there are some things to consider before going out and choosing a hearing aid that may or may not fit your needs. The first thing is finding out what your audiologist has to say about your level of hearing loss. This information is pertinent when it comes time to choosing what type of hearing aid will work for your particular situation. Once you begin your visit with your audiologist, they will perform what is called an audiogram. This is the process that they use to test your hearing, and the result from this test will help them choose a particular hearing aid that will work for your specific needs.
The first thing to check for is to make sure you do not have any ear blockage or other issues that can cause hearing loss, such as excessive wax buildup in the ears, if you're having any dizzy spells, or if you're suffering from rapid hearing loss. All of these areas will be checked before your audiologist can begin comparing hearing aids for you. Once it has been determined that your hearing loss is not due to these other reasons you are then put through a tone test. This tone test will determine your current level of hearing loss and allow your audiologist to get a better picture of what is happening in regards to your hearing. The tone test is performed using an audiometer. By using the audiometer they will be able to use different tones to establish what part of your hearing you are lacking, as well as the tones or frequencies that you are not picking up. Once this process has been completed the audiologist now has a clear picture into your complete hearing problem. With this information it's time to begin comparing hearing aids that will bring your hearing back to normal levels.
All hearing aids are not the same, and for the most part your audiologist will explain the benefits of each type of hearing aid. These hearing aids all differ and you will need to choose between the Invisible-In-Canal (IIC), Behind-the-Ear (BTE), Over-the-Ear (OTE), Receivers-in-Canal (RIC), In-The-Canal (ITC), In-the-Ear (ITE), and Completely-In-Canal (CIC). Each of these types of hearing aids will perform a bit different from each other, but mainly it's up to you as to which type you'll want. Once you have chosen the type and style, you'll be able to begin comparing hearing aids as to the manufacturer and price levels. This process is not that difficult but you will need to know what some of the top brands are, as well as the brands that are not as good. Most all of the new digital hearing aids that are made today can be adjusted before use and others can be adjusted while you're wearing them. There are yet other types of hearing aids that can be controlled using your cell phone. The technology behind hearing aids is incredibly advanced and some of the features available are very high end.
Now that you have finished comparing hearing aids you can choose the one that best suits you as far as price and manufacturer. At this point your hearing aid will be fitted to make sure it fits really well and you are comfortable wearing it. Fitting the hearing aid is important because some have complained about the BTE aid that fits behind the ear and have found that it is a little painful after wearing it for a while. Some of this used to happen with the older style aids because of how bulky they were.
Today it's a lot different because the new technology allows manufacturers to make smaller and thinner devices that also fit more comfortably. Comparing hearing aids today really comes down to knowing what type and style will work the best for you. Because there are so many hearing aids to choose from, it's best to stick with a manufacturer that's been around for a while. This will benefit you the most if the need to send your aid in for repair or replacement ever arises.
The first thing to check for is to make sure you do not have any ear blockage or other issues that can cause hearing loss, such as excessive wax buildup in the ears, if you're having any dizzy spells, or if you're suffering from rapid hearing loss. All of these areas will be checked before your audiologist can begin comparing hearing aids for you. Once it has been determined that your hearing loss is not due to these other reasons you are then put through a tone test. This tone test will determine your current level of hearing loss and allow your audiologist to get a better picture of what is happening in regards to your hearing. The tone test is performed using an audiometer. By using the audiometer they will be able to use different tones to establish what part of your hearing you are lacking, as well as the tones or frequencies that you are not picking up. Once this process has been completed the audiologist now has a clear picture into your complete hearing problem. With this information it's time to begin comparing hearing aids that will bring your hearing back to normal levels.
All hearing aids are not the same, and for the most part your audiologist will explain the benefits of each type of hearing aid. These hearing aids all differ and you will need to choose between the Invisible-In-Canal (IIC), Behind-the-Ear (BTE), Over-the-Ear (OTE), Receivers-in-Canal (RIC), In-The-Canal (ITC), In-the-Ear (ITE), and Completely-In-Canal (CIC). Each of these types of hearing aids will perform a bit different from each other, but mainly it's up to you as to which type you'll want. Once you have chosen the type and style, you'll be able to begin comparing hearing aids as to the manufacturer and price levels. This process is not that difficult but you will need to know what some of the top brands are, as well as the brands that are not as good. Most all of the new digital hearing aids that are made today can be adjusted before use and others can be adjusted while you're wearing them. There are yet other types of hearing aids that can be controlled using your cell phone. The technology behind hearing aids is incredibly advanced and some of the features available are very high end.
Now that you have finished comparing hearing aids you can choose the one that best suits you as far as price and manufacturer. At this point your hearing aid will be fitted to make sure it fits really well and you are comfortable wearing it. Fitting the hearing aid is important because some have complained about the BTE aid that fits behind the ear and have found that it is a little painful after wearing it for a while. Some of this used to happen with the older style aids because of how bulky they were.
Today it's a lot different because the new technology allows manufacturers to make smaller and thinner devices that also fit more comfortably. Comparing hearing aids today really comes down to knowing what type and style will work the best for you. Because there are so many hearing aids to choose from, it's best to stick with a manufacturer that's been around for a while. This will benefit you the most if the need to send your aid in for repair or replacement ever arises.