If you are choosing a hearing aid for the first time, you may be overwhelmed by the different options out there. There are many hearing aids for people today, and your hearing instrument specialist can help you to narrow down your search effectively.
The first thing that you need to take into account when choosing a hearing aid is what style of hearing device you are going to go for. There are a number of options available. Some of the most popular are in the ear (ITE), behind the ear (BTE) and in the canal (ITC).
ITC devices
ITC hearing aids fit into the ear canal and is custom molded. A lot of people prefer this option because it is less visible in the ear when compared with other styles. Because of the small size of these devices, they can be challenging to adjust, so do keep that in mind.
BTE devices
Another option you can go for is a BTE hearing device, which will hook over the top of your ear, resting behind it. There is a tube that connects the hearing device to an earmold, which is a custom earpiece that is going to fit into your ear canal. This is one of the most versatile hearing devices in terms of the sort of hearing loss it can help treat. Because of this, it is typically the biggest hearing aid, although the newer designs can be a lot smaller and more streamlined.
ITE devices
Aside from this, you may want to opt for an ITE hearing device, which is worn in the outer ear bowl. This is custom made in two different styles. You have one that fills only the lower part of your ear, which is known as a half-shell device. The other design is one that fills most of the bowl-shaped area of your outer ear. This is called a full shell in-the-ear hearing device. These hearing devices are suitable for people who are experiencing anything from mild-to- severe hearing loss.
Consider features
Apart from thinking about the different styles of hearing devices that are available, you also need to think about the features that come with hearing aids as well. For example, some hearing aids come with environmental noise control. Some hearing aids will help block out background noise through noise cancellation features, and you can also get those that come with wind noise reduction.
You also need to decide whether or not you want your hearing device to come with variable programming. Some hearing devices can store a number of different settings that have been preprogrammed for numerous listening environments and needs.
You may also want a hearing device that has a direct audio input feature. The feature enables you to plug-in audio from a music device, computer or television using a cord. Remote controls are also available with some hearing devices, enabling you to be able to adjust the features on your hearing aid without actually having to touch it.
Do you need a hearing aid that has wireless connectivity? Increasingly, hearing devices can interface wirelessly with specific devices that are compatible with Bluetooth. This includes the likes of televisions, music players and cellphones. You may require an intermediary device in order to pick the signal up and send it to your hearing device.
Some hearing aids also come with telecoils. Telecoils make it easier for you to be able to hear when you are speaking with someone on a phone that is telecoil-compatible. The telecoil will get rid of sounds from the environment, only picking up sounds that are coming from the telephone.
A lot of the hearing devices that are on the market today come with rechargeable devices, and this may be something that is important to you. There are numerous reasons why this is the case. Not only does it make maintenance a lot more straightforward because you are not going to need to change your batteries all of the time, but this can save you money as well.
Finally, you may want to look for a hearing device that comes with a directional microphone. These microphones are aligned on the hearing device to provide an enhanced pick-up of sounds that are coming in front of you while reducing some of the sounds that are beside or behind you.
Contact The Hearing Aid Place for more information
If you need help choosing a hearing device or you are concerned about potential hearing issues, please do not hesitate to contact The Hearing Aid Place today for more information. You can contact us today at (540) 322-1540.
