So you’ve found out you have hearing loss and can significantly benefit from the use of a hearing aid, but what does this mean?
Discovering the need for a hearing aid signifies that your hearing loss could be affecting your daily life. Your audiologist or hearing specialist may recommend a hearing aid to help you regain your quality of life and improve your hearing. It’s important to remember that modern devices can be incredibly beneficial, and there are nearly 30 million Americans who could benefit from them.
There are many reasons why people won’t wear hearing aids, such as lack of knowledge about the devices, cost, or simply pride stopping them from admitting they need one or vanity preventing them from doing so. However, the reality is those who require a hearing aid should really be looking at the benefits. For instance, in a noisy restaurant, a hearing aid can help you focus on the conversation at your table. In a meeting, it can amplify the speaker’s voice.
That being said, how do you choose the right device for you if you get the maximum impact?
Lifestyle
Your lifestyle will significantly influence the type of hearing aid that best suits you. Whether you’re active, work in noisy environments, or have specific hearing needs, your hearing aid specialist can guide you through the options, ensuring you find the perfect fit for your lifestyle.
Level of Hearing Loss
The level of hearing loss you have will dictate the type and style of hearing aid you can choose from. Mild to moderate hearing loss can open up all kinds of hearing aids to you, while profound hearing loss will require a “plus behind the ear” style aid that can offer you a better solution.
Features
These days, hearing aids come equipped with many unique features. In a nutshell, they’re tiny, advanced technological devices that are extremely powerful and capable of many things.
You can choose from rechargeable hearing aids, which are ideal for people who need to wear them for prolonged periods, and you can charge them when you go away from home. You can buy hearing aids with app connectivity and Bluetooth. They now have telecoils, noise prediction features, and wireless connectivity, and you can even get biometric hearing aids for a personalized fit for your ear and hearing needs.
Preferred Style
Hearing aids such as bulky plastic earpieces are not suitable, which you might be thinking of from back in the 80s and 90s. These days, you can choose from discrete behind-the-ear style aids that fit in the same way but aren’t as noticeable; you can choose in-the-ear or in-the-canal hearing aids that offer more discretion and fit in your ear with no external casing, making them ideal for glasses wearers or those requiring the use of headphones for working in noisy environments. The style of hearing aid you prefer or feel more comfortable using can help you limit your options when choosing your hearing aids.
These four factors will be extremely helpful in helping you determine the right type of hearing aid for your needs so you can get the best experience possible for your new devices.
What do you think?