With so many types of hearing aids on the market, you’re probably wondering which one is right for you. It’s very easy to get confused with all the newly developing technology, different requirements that depend on person-to-person needs, doctor recommendations, and more.
The answer depends on many factors. The main thing you need to take into consideration is the nature of your hearing loss, its cause, and most importantly its severity. The results of your hearing tests guide your audiologist or hearing aid specialist in making recommendations that suit your specific needs.
Here is a list of seven things you should know as you evaluate your hearing aid options.
- If you have severe hearing loss, you may need to get one of the larger hearing aids, which may be bulkier and more uncomfortable to wear.
- If you are prone to excessive buildup of earwax or ear infections, remember that small hearing aids, while convenient, are more delicate and can be easily damaged by earwax or draining ear fluid and they may not be the best choice for you.
- You may want to reduce certain types of background noise and boost the sound frequencies that you have the most trouble hearing. This is something not all small hearing aids can do, but the ones that can do it greatly help your hearing and can help your work and socialize better.
- If you use electronic devices on a daily basis such as cell phones, music players, or laptops that can send a wireless signal, then you may want a hearing aid that is compatible with the wireless devices that are important to you.
- If you are concerned about how wearing a hearing aid will make you look, let your audiologist know. They can help narrow the choices to what will best suit your hearing needs as well as your appearance. There are a lot of tiny hearing aids available on the market.
- Hearing aids range from about $1,200 to $3,700 each, depending on their size and features. Unfortunately, Medicare and most other insurance plans don’t cover hearing aids, so your budget may be a factor in your decision. However, It pays to invest in a better hearing aid, no matter the cost.
- Consider your dexterity. If you have arthritis, you may find it hard to insert and remove a small hearing aid and should opt for a larger one that’s easier to handle.