Getting to Know Your Hearing Aids

The hearing aid market is virtually unrecognizable today compared to what was available to aid in hearing health decades ago. We can thank the computer revolution for much of that progress. As industries boomed with technological advances, hearing aid manufacturers were quick to integrate advancements into their products. 

Many of the hearing aids we choose from today are like tiny, sophisticated computers. But, because design, or the way the hearing aid looks and feels, has improved in strides alongside the technical capabilities, they’re often sleeker and subtler than those produced even twenty years ago. 

How do you choose from so many options?

Because of the diversity of hearing aids options, a trend that will surely grow, it’s almost more challenging to choose what is best for you. In addition, a multitude of choices can sometimes make it more challenging to settle on just one. 

You’re likely buying a digital hearing aid

Digital options abound in today’s hearing aid market. Using digital technology, these hearing aids receive sound information and convert it into digital signals that are then replicated and communicated to the ear. This process allows for the filtration of noise versus speech. The former we want to reduce in most cases while we amplify the latter. The highly intelligent tech, housed discreetly in the hearing aid, reduces background and extraneous noise while focusing on what you want to hear. 

The digital hearing age is exciting in that it solved a problem that plagued hearing aid manufacturers since day one: How can we distinguish between noise and speech? As this technology is continuously refined, additional upgrades continue to appear. Now, more advanced models can even read the unique hearing loss pattern of the wearer and deliver the most personalized sound delivery system available.

The pros of digital hearing aids are how they can deliver clear speech alongside the reduction of extraneous noise, adapt to unique hearing patterns, and sync with existing devices. The cons are that some longtime analog wearers have trouble adjusting to their functionality.

Types of hearing aids

Hearing aids come in several categories, with each one designed to support different types of hearing loss and everyone’s unique lifestyle. Here are some of the most common types.

Behind the Ear

This style of hearing aid is best for people with severe hearing loss or ear canals that are difficult to fit. All electronic components are hidden behind the ear in a tiny compartment. The earmold is worn in the ear canal and can be customized. Between the two components and into the ear, the actual sound is delivered. The sound is transmitted by a tube that connects these two components.

Receiver-in-the-canal

These versions are comparable to those worn behind the ears, but they are smaller and thus more unobtrusive. Nevertheless, they can still help people with mild to severe hearing loss.

In the ear 

These hearing aids are small enough to fit just outside the ear canal while still in the user’s ear.

Completely-in-the-canal

These are the tiniest devices on the market, yet they still pack a punch in usefulness and power. They are best for those with mild-to-moderate hearing loss who value discretion above all.

Consider extra features

Consider the extra features you’d like in your hearing aids when making your purchase. This could include features like a connection that allow you to link your hearing aids to your smartphone. In addition, you can use an app to operate your hearing aids and stream phone calls and music directly to them, making them work like wireless headphones.

You could need hearing aids with telecoils to help you hear in vast spaces like auditoriums, lecture halls, or theaters. The hearing aid’s telecoil will connect to the building’s loop system, allowing you to hear sounds from the PA system directly in your ears.

You can find programs and features that give tinnitus therapy and management to help you sleep better at night, focus better on tasks, and minimize your tinnitus. You’ll also find other features to reduce feedback, such as noise reduction and wind reduction. Other features include music settings, which make listening to music once again pleasurable.

Which one is for you?

Having an upfront discussion with us is the best way to choose your best hearing aid. Only a trained hearing professional can accurately match you with the hearing aid suited to you and your hearing loss. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.