50+ Lifestyles

What Hearing Aid Will Work Best for Me?

By Margaret Christiansen, AU.D, CCC-A
Audiology Consultants, P.C.

There are many factors to consider when choosing a hearing aid. The most important factor is the configuration and amount of hearing loss you have. Once your hearing test is completed, your audiologist can immediately narrow your selection to the hearing aids most appropriate for your type of hearing loss. From there, other factors such as cosmetics, comfort, technology, and pricing will need to be considered.

With new advancements in technology, hearing aids are smaller than ever. If cosmetics are important to you then you are in luck. Don’t dismiss wearing a hearing aid just because it looks big in your hand. Even the larger hearing aids can be discrete with a good color match to your skin and hair. Because hearing aids are smaller, they are also lighter and more comfortable as well. Small does not necessarily mean more expensive. The cost of the hearing aid tends to go hand in hand with technology.

Your audiologist can help you determine what level of technology would be most appropriate for you based on your lifestyle and listening needs. More expensive does not always mean better and vise versa. There are different technologies to help in certain listening situations, whether your looking for help with the TV, telephone, noisy places, high gain, etc. Keep an open mind when shopping for hearing aids and remember why you are there in the first place. You want to hear better. Discuss with your audiologist what would be best for you and then see what compromises your willing to take. Don’t be surprised if the hearing aid that is best for you is completely different from what your friend or family member has. Everyone is individual and nobody hears exactly the same. Keep this in mind and you will be more successful in
choosing the right hearing aid.