The Best Procedure for Choosing a Hearing Aid

There are so many different types of hearing aids available that it can be very difficult to decide on the right one for you. Before you start shopping for a hearing aid, there are a few questions you need to answer. What kind of hearing loss do you have? Is it conductive? Is it nerve damage? Do you wear glasses?

Hearing Aid Specialist

• Your first decision is to choose the hearing aid dispenser. Check with your audiologist and your ear, nose, and throat specialist to get referrals since they will typically work with the dispenser to take care of your hearing needs.

Digital or Analog?

• Subsequently, decide if you will be going with a digital aid or an analog aid. Analog is cheaper but digital provides more options when it comes to the aid matching your hearing loss and filling in the gaps to improve your hearing.

Style of Hearing Aid

• Next decide if you will be purchasing a behind the ear, in the ear, in the canal, or completely in the canal style hearing aid. Your hearing aid dispenser can assist you with this decision based on your hearing and your comfort level. If you wear glasses, a behind the ear hearing aid is uncomfortable and you would be better off with another model. However, if you have a severe conductive loss, the only way you will get enough power in the hearing aid is to chose a behind the ear model.

Hearing Aid Manufacturers

• There are many different manufacturers of hearing aids. The choice that you will make will depend on the type of hearing loss. The various makes and models of hearing aids offer different power and programming levels.

Final Decision

• Consumer magazines and website offers valuable comparison information on the many different kinds of hearing aids on the market. Additionally, the audiologist and hearing aid dispenser can discuss at length with you their experience with certain brands and styles to help you make the right decision.