We’re often asked which hearing aids we recommend, possibly because we’ve been voted the Best Place to Buy Hearing Aids since 2013.
However, the reason we keep winning that vote is because we understand that choosing a hearing aid is a very personal thing. There’s no “right” answer for all people that we can give.
Your specific hearing loss, your lifestyle, and your budget are all important factors. When you make your decision, you should consider your expectations in hearing technology as well as your listening requirements.
First, let’s start with the basics to understand where to start.
Hearing Aid Questions to Ask Yourself
The most important job of a hearing aid is to improve your hearing, of course.
But you might also be wondering how it will look. You might also be curious about whether or not it will actually work with your specific lifestyle.
Here are some questions to get you thinking:
- Is your hearing loss mild, moderate, or severe? Certain types of hearing aids are better suited for different types of hearing losses.
- Are you comfortable with a hearing aid that is visible to others or would you prefer it remain hidden? Either way, a different type of aid will accommodate your wishes here.
- Are you physically active? Do you play sports? Some hearing aids are more durable than others.
- Will you be around (or immersed in) bodies of water? Do you live in a high humidity environment that makes you sweat a lot? You’ll probably need a waterproof hearing aid.
- Do you frequent windy areas that might require noise reduction? Not all hearing aids offer this feature.
- Are rechargeable batteries important or do you want to change out batteries as needed? Manual battery changes might be inconvenient, but rechargeables cost more.
- Do you use a cell phone regularly? Some hearing aids have remote controls that can be adjusted from an app on your phone.
- Do you watch a lot of TV or listen to a lot of music? Some hearing aids can interface wirelessly with Bluetooth-compatible devices (think cell phones, music players, computers, and televisions) to pick up their audio signals. Others can be connected to those devices with a cord.
- Would you like to sleep while wearing your hearing aid? This is possible with some hearing devices.
- Are you exposed to a lot of different environments during your day? Certain types of hearing aids can store programmed settings which are optimized for those environments.
Only you can know which answers will best meet your needs. But that’s just the start.
Don’t Buy a Hearing Aid Yet
Even when you’ve considered all the above questions, it’s not time to buy a hearing aid.
That’s because you should first see your doctor to rule out correctable causes of hearing loss. Such easily treated causes include earwax or some kind of infection.
If the problem persists, a reputable audiologist will assess your hearing loss, consider your needs, and help you choose and personalize the most appropriate hearing aid for you.
Is there a trial period available? Is there a warranty? Always ask before buying.
You should also consider your most likely future hearing needs. Do your prospective hearing aids have enough “extra” volume assist to continue helping you if your hearing gets worse?
Then you need to plan for the expense. The cost of hearing aids varies widely, so be sure your audiologist understands your budget and expectations.
Just remember that hearing aids can’t return your hearing to normal. They can only improve your hearing by amplifying quiet sounds.
And regardless of which device you choose, understand that you need to give yourself time to get used to something new. Amplified sounds might require some adjustment on your part, especially if you’re commonly living your life in different environments on a regular basis.
A good audiologist will provide you with plenty of positive support, including follow-up visits as you need them.
Further Thoughts on Choosing the Right Hearing Aid
At Audiological Services, we take pride in helping all our patients hear better with the best hearing aid manufacturers in the business.
All the companies we use provide high-quality devices with all the features and modern technology you need for better hearing. There’s a hearing aid for every type of hearing loss and lifestyle.
That’s why our team of hearing experts is ready to help you narrow down your choice of hearing aid. Because we partner with all the best manufacturers, you’ll feel no pressure from us to pick any one maker. What’s more, you can take as long as you need to decide.
If you’re in Lufkin, Texas and suspect you or a loved one has a hearing loss, we can do a hearing test to evaluate your personal hearing needs and answer your hearing aid questions.
To schedule your appointment, please contact us through this website or give us a call. We’re always ready to help!
