If you’ve decided that you need to get hearing aids, what will you do next? Hearing aids are going to become an essential part of your life, so choosing the right kind matters. High-quality hearing aids can be purchased from a hearing aid specialist, but the cheaper flimsy ones can be found only on the internet. If you truly think that you can buy a quality device for less money from the internet, then the sacrifice is how well you hear, and that’s your decision. When shopping for hearing aids, what sacrifices are you willing to make.
Those Internet Imitations
Internet hearing assistance devices are not actually the bargain they seem to be. They are not really efficient and they don’t work that well. The money you save on the device itself, you end up losing because you have to constantly replace the batteries, and you will replace them a lot.
Amplifying sound is all these low-quality devices do. Modern, high-quality digital hearing aids combine different technologies to create a device which can be customized to your needs. You will miss out on quite a few essential features if you decide to purchase a cheap internet device.
Your new hearing aids are an investment in your future and you need to see them that way. If you can’t hear very well it can make your life very hard and may wind up costing you money, so it’s a bad choice to go cheap with your hearing aids. If you are unable to afford good quality hearing aids, there may be other ways for you to get them, so don’t settle for something that is not what you really need.
Analog Vs. Digital
Digital hearing aids deliver higher quality sound that is much more reliable. Analog units are outdated and are not worth considering.
It’s likely all of the hearing aids you find at quality retailers will be digital. You need to be careful because analog devices are still in existence if you don’t know what to look for. Low-quality analog signals are what the older out-dated hearing aids work with. The sound quality is very inconsistent with old analog units.
Choosing The Perfect Features
There are really two sides to hearing aid shopping: features and style. You want features that make your life better in a style that is comfortable. Some standard features to consider include:
- Direct audio input
- Variable programming
- Synchronization
- Directional microphones
- Noise reduction
- Telecoils
- Wireless connectivity
- Rechargeable batteries
- Bluetooth
- Environmental noise control
- Remote controls
Take Into Consideration The Different Styles
There are many styles available, as you will realize when you start researching hearing aids. Thankfully, there are so many styles to choose from that finding a style that works for your needs is almost guaranteed. The various styles of hearing aids include:
- In-the-Ear (ITE)
- In-the-Ear (ITE)
- Open Fit
- Receiver-in-the-Canal (RIC)
- Receiver-in-the-Ear (RIE)
- Behind-the-Ear (BTE)
The names give an apt definition for each. BTE hearing aids include a piece that sits behind the ear. It attaches to clear tubing and an ear-mold that sits at the opening of the ear canal.
Alternatively, ITE pieces sit, as you may have guessed, inside of the ear. This device is at the opening of the ear canal and is just one unit. Nothing goes behind the ear. ITC means “in the canal” and they are very similar to ITE’s but ITC’s go further into the ear canal and that means that you don’t see them so much.
RIC devices and RIE hearing aids have a “receiver in the canal” and a “receiver in the ear” respectively, which are then connected to a piece behind the ear. These hearing aids are not as obvious as a BTE.
Finally, open fit units are BTE devices but instead of connecting to an ear-mold, a thin tube goes into the ear canal. This format is a good choice for anyone who doesn’t like the feel of something inside their ear.
After going over all of these options, it’s time to determine which style and options will fit your needs the most. For instance, Bluetooth is a useful function to have, especially if you talk on your smartphone or computer regularly. Rechargeable batteries save you money on replacement batteries and telecoil is good if you have to listen to lectures or seminars a lot.
Lastly, Your Buying Options Should be Taken Into Consideration
A certified retailer that has a free trial period and offers custom fitting is the best place to get your new hearing aids. It’s difficult to be confident that you are making the right choice if you don’t have the opportunity to try your hearing aids before you purchase them.
A good quality hearing aid has a good warranty so make sure you check that out as well. What kind of coverage does it come with? Some pay only for replacement parts, some cover the labor, as well, and what about a new hearing aid if can’t be fixed?
Make an appointment with a hearing professional for a checkup and hearing test before you buy your hearing aids. Your hearing trouble may not require hearing aids.