What is the next move when you’ve realized that you need to invest in hearing aids? Finding the right hearing aids is an important decision since they will become such a major part of your life. If you find some hearing aids that can only be purchased on the internet, then you can be sure they are likely to be pretty flimsy. If you truly believe that you can buy a quality device for less money from the internet, then the sacrifice is how well you hear, and that’s your decision. What should you look for when investing in hearing aids?
Those Cheap Internet Imitations
While they seem to be a bargain, those poor quality internet hearing assistance devices will end up costing you more over time. They are not really efficient and they don’t function that well. You have to buy new batteries so often that it winds up costing a lot.
The only feature that these cheaper devices perform is sound amplification. Modern, quality digital hearing aids combine various technologies to deliver a device customized to your exact needs. You will miss out on some important features if you choose to buy a cheap internet device.
You have to see your new hearing aids for what they are – an investment in your future. If you can’t hear well it will make your life very difficult and might end up costing you money, so it’s a bad choice to go cheap when you buy hearing aids. Be sure to get the hearing aids you really need. Even if you can’t afford them there might be other solutions.
Digital Vs. Analog
A higher quality, more reliable sound is produced by digital hearing aids and they’re far more consistent too. If you run across analog hearing aids, move on and look at the digital units, instead.
It’s likely that all of the hearing aids you find at quality retailers will be digital. If your not aware of the difference you might confuse an analog hearing aid for a digital. Low-quality analog signals are what the older out-dated hearing aids work with. With analog hearing aids, the quality of the sound isn’t consistent.
Choosing The Very Best Features
There are really two sides to hearing aid shopping: features and style. You want features that make your life better in a style that is comfortable. A few common features to think about include:
- Bluetooth
- Directional microphones
- Environmental noise control
- Direct audio input
- Variable programming
- Wireless connectivity
- Telecoils
- Synchronization
- Remote controls
- Rechargeable batteries
- Noise reduction
Take Into Consideration The Different Styles
When you start researching hearing aids, you’ll see there are numerous styles on the market. That is great news since it means that there is surely a style that will work for your needs. The various styles of hearing aids include:
- In-the-Ear (ITE)
- Receiver-in-the-Canal (RIC)
- In-the-Ear (ITE)
- Receiver-in-the-Ear (RIE)
- Open Fit
- Behind-the-Ear (BTE)
A pretty good definition of each style is offered by the names. BTE hearing aids incorporate a piece that sits behind the ear. It connects to a clear tube and an ear-mold that sits at the opening of the ear canal.
Did you already figure out that ITE units go “in the ear”? This device goes at the opening of the ear canal and is just one unit. There is nothing that goes behind the ear. ITC devices are very similar but they go deeper into the ear, making them less visible.
RIC and RIE, as the name suggests, have a receiver unit that sits in the ear and then connects by a wire to a piece that attaches behind it. Both styles are generally less noticeable than BTE hearing aids.
Instead of having ear-molds, open fit models, which are a kind of BTE, have a little tube that goes into the ear canal. This format is a good choice for people who don’t like the feeling of something inside their ear.
After going over all of these options, you need to determine which style and options will fit your needs the most. As an example, Bluetooth is a useful feature to have, particularly if you talk on your smartphone or computer regularly. If you listen to seminars and lectures, telecoil is an excellent way to go and you won’t have to keep shelling out money for new batteries if you get a hearing aid with a rechargeable one.
Lastly, Your Buying Options Should be Considered
Most qualified retailers will custom fit the device and give a free trial period. That’s where you want to go to buy your hearing aids. It’s difficult to be confident that you are making the right decision if you don’t have the opportunity to try your hearing aids before you buy them.
You also want to look closely at the warranty that comes with the hearing aids. What kind of coverage does it come with? Some will only pay for replacement parts, some cover the labor, as well, and what about a new hearing aid if can’t be fixed?
Before purchasing hearing aids make an appointment with a hearing care professional for a checkup and hearing test, too. Some changes in your hearing don’t require hearing aids.