Hearing aids, are small devices that are fit into the ear to act as sound boosters providing aid to people who have partially lost their hearing ability. Hearing aid gathers sounds within the environment and amplifies it clearly so that the person with the hearing problem can hear well. A hearing problem is a disability that affects most people ranging from young children to the elderly, but most common in those that have crossed 60years of age. Before getting a hearing aid, make sure to check in with a qualified and experienced audiologist to ascertain the level of your hearing loss and to recommend the best device for you.
Factors to consider
Cost
Cost is always an important factor when it comes to choosing a good hearing aid. Money may be an issue to you but that does not mean that you should go for a cheap device of inferior quality that won’t help you much. Research well on different brands and reviews so that you find devices that have good features and at a reasonable price. Most health insurance companies usually include covers for such aids, thus before going deep into your pocket, make sure to inquire first.
Extent of the hearing loss
Before getting any hearing aids, it is good to check with an audiologist first and perform tests to ascertain the level of your hearing loss. These tests will determine the magnitude of your loss and the best device will be recommended to you. The tests are necessary since a majority of the hearing cases are not similar. Others may have a partial hearing loss while others may be suffering from intense hearing loss. Different hearing aids will, therefore, be considered for both depending on the magnitude of the loss.
Feature and style
While all hearing aids perform close to similar functions, they all also come in different designs and shapes that fit into the ear canal. There are varieties to choose from such as In The Canal (ITC), Completely In the Canal(CIC) hearing aid, and Open Ear hearing aid. Most people prefer ITC because it usually goes undetected. No one can notice when it is plugged in. CIC hearing aid will also fit into the hearing canal but is even better than the ITC as it is usually invisible when plugged in. Open Ear hearing aid is attached behind the ear with a small tube that goes into your ear canal. It is among the most comfortable hearing aids.