If you’ve determined that you need to invest in hearing aids, what will you do next? Hearing aids will soon become an essential part of your life so purchase wisely. If you find some hearing aids which are only available on the internet, then you can be fairly certain they are probably pretty flimsy. Only you know how much you are prepared to spend and what quality of hearing aids you are willing to invest in. When searching for hearing aids, what sacrifices are you willing to make.
Cheap Internet Imitations Are Not Really Hearing Aids
Even though they seem to be a bargain, those internet hearing assistance devices will end up costing you more. They don’t work very well or very efficiently. You have to replace dead batteries so often that it ends up costing you a lot.
These low-quality devices will amplify sound, which is the basic feature of hearing aids but that’s all they do. You get several different technologies in a modern high-quality hearing aid which can be customized to your precise needs. You will miss out on quite a few essential features if you choose to purchase a cheap internet device.
You have to appreciate your new hearing aids for what they are – an investment in your future. If you can’t hear well it will make your life very overwhelming and could end up costing you money, so it’s a bad choice to go cheap when purchasing hearing aids. If you can’t afford quality hearing aids, there may be other ways to get them, so don’t settle for something that is less than what you really need.
Digital Vs. Analog
A higher quality, more reliable sound is delivered by digital hearing aids and they’re more consistent too. If you come across analog hearing aids, move on and look at the digital units, instead.
If you consult with a reputable hearing aid seller, all of the devices will be digital. It’s important to recognize analog devices are still out there, though, and to understand the difference. Low-quality analog signals are what the older hearing aids process. The sound quality is very inconsistent with analog models.
Choosing The Very Best Features
There are actually two aspects to hearing aid shopping: features and style. You want a comfortable style that provides features that make your life easier. A few standard features to consider include:
- Environmental noise control
- Remote controls
- Rechargeable batteries
- Direct audio input
- Synchronization
- Telecoils
- Directional microphones
- Wireless connectivity
- Variable programming
- Noise reduction
- Bluetooth
Think about the Styles
There are numerous styles available to you, as you will find out when you get started researching hearing aids. There is undoubtedly a style that will be right for you, and that’s the good news. Some of the different styles are:
- In-the-Ear (ITE)
- Receiver-in-the-Canal (RIC)
- Behind-the-Ear (BTE)
- In-the-Ear (ITE)
- Receiver-in-the-Ear (RIE)
- Open Fit
To get a pretty good idea of each style just have a look at the names. BTE hearing aids incorporate a piece that sits behind the ear. It connects to clear tubing and an ear-mold that rests at the opening of the ear canal.
As is apparent by its name, ITE devices go “in the ear”. It’s a single unit that sits in the opening of the ear canal. There is nothing that goes behind the ear. ITC devices are very similar but they go deeper into the ear, making them less visible.
RIC and RIE, as the name indicates, have a receiver unit that rests in the ear and then connects by a wire to a piece that attaches behind it. These hearing aids are less conspicuous than a BTE.
Lastly, open fit units are BTE devices but instead of connecting to an ear-mold, a thin tube goes into the ear canal. If you can’t deal with the feeling of something in your ear, this format is a good choice for you.
Your job is to assess each of these options and figure out which of them is most important to you. To give an example, if you use your phone or a computer a lot, you will probably want a device that has Bluetooth functionality. Rechargeable batteries save you money on replacement batteries and telecoil is great if you have to listen to lectures or seminars a lot.
Lastly, Your Buying Options Should be Taken Into Consideration
Most qualified retailers will offer custom fitting and a free trial period. That’s where you want to go to buy your hearing aids. The truth is, when it comes to hearing aids, you can’t be certain until you try them, so having the chance to try them for a while is helpful.
A good warranty will come with a quality hearing aid, so don’t overlook that. What’s covered? Will you get a new hearing aid if something goes wrong or will the warranty only cover parts and possibly labor?
Make an appointment with a hearing specialist for a checkup and hearing test before you buy your hearing aids. There are many reasons you might notice a change in your hearing and they don’t all require hearing aids.