What Should You Know Before Buying Hearing Aids?

There are many reasons why you might need to wear a hearing aid, including suffering hearing loss through old age or because you work in a loud environment and have suffered ear damage. Before the invention of hearing aids, people had to live with their reduced hearing levels, but now, thanks to medical and technological advances, people are able to significantly improve how much they can hear – as well as improve their lives in general. If you’re experiencing hearing loss and think it’s about time that you get a hearing aid, then take a look below, where we outline all you’ll need to know before making your purchase. 

How they work

You probably know what hearing aids are designed to do, and you can probably even picture what they look like. But how exactly do they work? While the technology that makes the magic happen is advanced, the process is relatively simple. Hearing aids work on a three-step basis. First, the microphone part of the hearing aid receives sound and transforms it into a digital signal. Then the amplifier part of the hearing aid makes the noise louder. Finally, the speaker releases the noise into the ear. So essentially, hearing aids take external sounds and make them louder, before producing the sound in the ear. It’s a straightforward process, but one that can have a profoundly positive impact on a person’s overall lifestyle. 

Different types

Before you invest in a hearing aid, it’ll be really important that you speak with a hearing instrument specialist. There are multiple different types of hearing aid on offer, and a specialist can work with you to determine which one is right for you. Below, we’ll take a look at three of the main hearing aids that customers can choose from.

In the canal

An in-the-canal hearing aid is so called because it sits, predictably, in the canal part of the ear. These are custom made so that they fit the patient’s ear canal perfectly, which helps with comfort and prevents it from moving around. This type of device is generally used for mild to moderate cases of hearing loss. One of the main benefits of this type of technology is that it’s much more subtle than larger options. They also feature sound control features, so that the wearer can adapt the amount of volume that they hear.

Behind the ear

The behind-the-ear hearing aid device is the one that most people are familiar with. Again, as the name suggests, this device is so called because the main device sits behind the ear. That’s where the sound is received, and then from there, a tube takes the sound to the inside of the ear, where a custom-made earpiece delivers the sound. Though these are bigger and more noticeable than other devices, they can pick up more noise and the amplification of sound is better. The larger size also makes it easier to handle, which is especially beneficial for people with dexterity issues. Additionally, there is space for a larger battery, which means that they don’t need to be changed as frequently and they usually come with more features than other devices. 

In the ear

Rounding off the hearing aid styles is the in-the-ear hearing aid, which fits, as the name suggests, inside the ear. This type of hearing device is more noticeable than the in the canal option, but more subtle than a behind the ear device. This device is custom made to fit your ear, which reduces the likelihood of it slipping out. They also come with a large battery, which means you don’t have to replace the battery quite as frequently.

Style versus function

There will be many considerations when it comes to deciding which type of hearing aid is right for you. Some of the most important factors include how much hearing loss is present, your general lifestyle, and your budget. In most cases, you will have the option of selecting which type of hearing aid you want, though it’s important to listen to the advice of the specialist that you’re working with. Though the appearance of the device might be important for cosmetic reasons, it’s important to choose a device that’ll improve your hearing, first and foremost. 

If you’re looking for a hearing aid or just simply want to know more, get in touch with Sound Choice Hearing by calling today at (505) 565-7960. Our expert team can run you through all the options.