Choosing The Right Hearing Aid For You

Choosing the hearing aid that best fits your needs may seem like an unnecessary evil, a time-wasting endeavor spent leafing through devices that all seem to have the same effect: improving your hearing. However, when it comes to hearing aids, not all devices are created equal. In fact, using the wrong hearing aid could actually worsen your hearing, rather than improving it.

How Can You Choose a Hearing Aid That Best Fits Your Needs?

Your local audiologist can help you choose a hearing aid that fits your budget and lifestyle. However, there's a lot that goes into choosing these devices. The severity of your hearing loss, the technology you're happiest with, and your day-to-day activity level all factor into choosing the perfect hearing aid for your condition.  

A Hearing Aid That Best Suits Your Lifestyle

Your listening skills are used every second of every day and the lifestyle you live must be considered when choosing your hearing aid. Manufacturers take into account several lifestyles when creating their technology: active, casual, quiet, and very quiet. Talk to your audiologist about the hearing aid that best matches up with a lifestyle you find yourself relating to.

• Active: demanding career, frequent outdoor activity, frequent conversation or TV usage
• Casual: frequent conversation, relaxed career, occasional activities
• Quiet: rare activity, occasional TV usage and conversation
• Very Quiet: activities limited to in or around the house most of the day

Questions to Ask Your Audiologist Before Sealing the Deal

A hearing aid is a serious investment and should not go unquestioned. Have these questions ready for your audiologist to determine if your purchase is perfect for you.

• What is the cost of this hearing aid?
• Does this aid offer a trial period?
• What fees are nonrefundable if it comes with a trial period?
• How long is the warranty and what does the warranty cover?
• How do you use your hearing aid and what should you avoid?

What seems to be an insurmountable task filled with obstacles of equal parts boredom and trepidation can quickly turn into a wasted investment if you don't take care in how you choose your hearing aid. Talk to your audiologist, like those at Clarity & Comfort Hearing Center, about testing your hearing to determine your need for an aid, they're going to be your best guide in choosing an aid that's right for you. Remember: that's exactly what it is-- an aid to help you hear better; stay positive and enjoy a renewed sense of hearing with the technology has to offer!