Tips for Choosing the Right Hearing Aid Style

Hearing aids can be similar to many other types of technology when you’re trying to decide which ones to buy. There are plenty of options to consider and you have to think about a few different factors. You will need to think about your comfort, what features you’re looking for, your lifestyle and your budget. On top of all of that, you have to take your level of hearing loss into account. Whether you’re a tech-enthusiast or technology isn’t really for you, finding the right hearing aids can be a fun process that you’re in control of.

Talk to Your Audiologist

First, you need to have a hearing test to ensure you have an up-to-date prescription for your hearing aids. Knowing your level of hearing loss is important because some hearing aids are more suitable for certain levels of loss than others. Those with more severe hearing loss might not be suited for smaller hearing aid styles, for example.

Speaking to your audiologist after your hearing test is a good first step. Not only can they advise you on whether hearing aids are right for you, but they can also help you start to find the right style and features.

Understand Different Styles

There are several different hearing aid styles you will want to explore. Some of the main types of hearing aids you will see include:

• In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids: These sit in the outer bowl of your ear and are molded to the shape of the ear to fit comfortably. Fit for mild-to-moderately-severe hearing loss.
• Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids: Part of the hearing aid sits behind the ear and is connected to an earmold or dome that sits inside the ear canal. These are suitable for mild-to-profound.
• In-the-canal (ITC) hearing aids: These sit further into the ear canal and are slightly more discreet. Two types of ITC hearing aids are invisible-in-canal (IIC) and completely-in-canal (CIC) hearing aids. These are fit for individuals with mild-to-moderate hearing loss.

Look at Hearing Aid Technology

Hearing aids have seen so much development over the years. There are now so many options for different features and technology. Looking at a few options and exploring how they might help you get the most from your hearing aids can help you find the best product to meet your needs. There’s everything from rechargeable batteries and tinnitus sound masking to device connectivity options such as Bluetooth. Many of today’s hearing aids can be easily controlled from a mobile app too.

Think About Your Lifestyle

One of the most important things to consider can be your lifestyle. Everyone has different ideas about how they want to live their lives, and this can affect which hearing aids work for you. For example, do you play a lot of sports? Are you a very social person? Do you like to watch TV and movies or listen to music? These things can all influence what features you look for in your hearing aids.

Talk to your audiologist for advice on choosing your hearing aids. They will find the right fit for you.