How to Pick Out Hearing Aids for the First Time

People having hearing loss is not something new, especially here in the US. Some of you may know someone who uses hearing aids or is using them currently. In all cases, we can agree that picking hearing aids for the first time is not an easy task. So, let us break it down a little for those of you who feel are new to hearing aids and feel a little lost.

What Are Hearing Aids?

Hearing aids are small technological devices that fit in or around your ear. It works by picking sound around you, processing it through an amplifier, and delivering it into your ear using a speaker. The amplified sound is unique to the levels of hearing loss. There are many hearing aids available, with styles that fit behind the ear or directly in the canal.

In-the-Ear (ITE) Hearing Aids

ITE hearing aids are custom designed to fit into the pinna of your ear. They are designed to fit into your pinna or half or the lower sections. Due to their size, you get additional functions such as multiple microphones and longer rechargeable batteries. However, the ear wax may clog your speaker and may pick up wind noise.

Behind-the-Ear (BTE) Hearing Aids

BTE hearing aids hook above your ear and deliver sound to the ear through a custom earmold. People of all ages can use BTEs as they are easily customizable. For children, BTEs are a favorite because the earmold can get replaced to cater to growth. Also, BTEs can be customized based on skin tone and fashion reasons.

In-the-Canal (ITC) Hearing Aids

ITCs are designed to fit into the canal of your ear. The hearing aids are used by people experiencing mild to moderately severe hearing loss. Since they are small, you get better protection from wind noise at the expense of longer battery life and ease of handling.

Additional Features

Hearing aids are technological devices, and each design has features it gives to you as a user. You may want to choose hearing aids that have noise reduction from the wind. It is achieved using different microphone technologies to filter out unwanted background noise.

Rechargeable batteries have accessible maintenance practices, unlike hearing aids with replaceable batteries.

Telecoils is a technology that allows you to use a phone better when making calls by reducing the background noise. Also, some equipment compatible with telecoils allows you a better sound experience in church and theaters.

Some hearing aids have wireless connectivity, such as Bluetooth, to allow you to connect to your devices for media consumption. You may also control and adjust the sound experience of your hearing aid.

Adjustment Period

A hearing health professional will tell you it takes some time for your brain to adjust to hearing aids. More prolonged periods for untreated hearing loss cause your brain to be sound deprived, and it takes time for it to get acquainted with them. A hearing specialist will advise you to consider BTEs or ITEs to get used to hearing aids.

Before picking out hearing aids, you are advised to first visit a hearing care provider for a suitable hearing aid that meets your needs. The process may take some time to adjust, and you should think in terms of future needs. Overall, hearing aids' success depends on your reception of the experience and maintaining the course as per your hearing specialist instructions.