Best Hearing Aids

In an ideal world, you wouldn’t need hearing aids in the first place. However, if you are one of the 50 million plus Americans that can benefit from those life-enhancing devices, you owe it to yourself to find the best solution on the market.

With so many options available, it can be a confusing process. With the help of an audiologist on your side, though, you should have no problems mastering this task. Nonetheless, it’s important to take a proactive approach by educating yourself on the subject. Here’s all you need to know.

Understanding the hearing aid styles

The first thing to consider when buying hearing aids is the type. There are three main styles of hearing aids on the market. They are:

• Behind the ear (BTE): BTE hearing aids are one of the most recognizable styles. The main unit, which holds the receiver, speaker and battery, sits behind the ear. A thin tube transmits the sound output to an earmold, which sits inside the ear. They are the most visible hearing aids, although modern designs are far more inconspicuous, and they offer the most power too. This makes them ideal for individuals with mild-to-profound hearing loss.
• In the ear (ITE): ITE hearing aids sit in the outer ear bowl, making them far less visible. The microphone, processor and battery component are all kept together in a compact housing that is comfortable and can be selected in full or half-shell varieties. They are available in a number of different shades, making it easy for you to blend them with your ear if that’s what you desire. They aren’t as powerful as BTE devices but are still suitable for individuals with mild-to-moderately severe hearing loss.
• In the canal (ITC): ITC hearing aids are preferred by individuals looking for privacy and discreetness. They are the smallest of all styles and sit entirely in the ear canal. Because of their location in the ear, they also offer one of the most natural listening experiences. However, due to their size, they do not have the same power putout as other styles and may be difficult to handle if you experience issues with your dexterity. These devices are recommended for individuals with mild-to-moderate hearing loss.

The right hearing aid will feel comfortable and provide the performance levels that you deserve.

Features are more important than brands

Choosing the best hearing aid type is vital, but this is only the start. The next natural step is to think about the brand. In reality, though, the features of the individual model are more significant. Most hearing aids now boast basic features like digital noise reduction and feedback management. However, there are several advanced features to consider.

The most popular advanced features include:

• Bluetooth connections: Connecting hearing aids to various assistive listening devices (ALDs) via Bluetooth can improve your experiences of listening to TV, using telephones and interacting with various tech devices.
• Binaural technology: It’s great to have hearing aids that restore some of your lost hearing in each ear. However, the ears naturally work together. Binaural tech allows the two hearing aids to link up, providing a far more natural experience.
• Wind noise reduction: Wind noise reduction is a particularly useful feature if you suffer from tinnitus as the whirling of the wind could make things worse. Moreover, reducing the impact of the weather allows you to focus on dialogue.

Several other features exist on the market, and the audiologist can discuss these with you in greater detail. While all of them have a purpose, they do come at an extra cost. So, it’s vital that weigh up those benefits against your budget and whether you require them.

Additional considerations

The truth of the matter is that there is no one right hearing aid for everyone. You’ll need to factor in a host of issues before selecting the best option for you. Be sure to consider all of the following items, and you won’t go far wrong:

• Budget
• Degree of hearing loss
• Other conditions, such as vertigo or tinnitus
• Personal lifestyle
• Personal comfort
• Issues such as poor sight or poor dexterity
• Extra features

Take the first steps today

Before finding the perfect hearing aids, you need to discover the type and severity of your hearing loss. Rametta Audiology & Hearing Aid Center can provide comprehensive hearing tests along with all the advice you could ever need on hearing aids, including fittings. To find out more, call one of our convenient locations today:

• Tarentum: (724) 409-4439
• Vandergrift: (724) 567-3233