Things to Consider when Selecting Hearing Aids
Accepting that you have a hearing loss can be difficult. It’s a lifestyle change for which you might have never signed up otherwise. Also, there exists such a wide range of options for hearing assisted devices and hearing health professionals, where does a novice begin?
Trust that you’re on the right path—especially if you’ve found this article! The Internet is an infinite space, but don’t let that be intimidating. Below are some tips to focus the information at your fingertips so that you can find a hearing health professional you trust and the right hearing assisted device for your needs.
Bring a Friend
If you have not done so already, ask a friend or family member to join you as you take steps to better your hearing health. It can be comforting to know you have support as you take steps into this new chapter of your life and they can help ask questions during a visit to a hearing specialist’s office. Retired audiologist Juliette Sterkens from Wisconsin wisely offers, “Two people hear and remember more.”
A companion can offer support beyond simply visiting your hearing specialist. Plan to take a hearing test together online and in the comfort of your home if you’re feeling anxious. Having a friend or relative with you on your journey to better hearing health is also a reminder that hearing loss extends beyond yourself. The positive effects benefit you and also your loved ones.
Take a Test
The online hearing test plays a series of tones and different pitches to measure your hearing and can be taken at home. It can determine if you need to visit a professional. While at the hearing specialist’s office, you will take your hearing test in a soundproof booth. Your results will tell them what type of hearing loss you have and how advanced it is, which will, in turn, help them choose the appropriate hearing aid for you.
Your hearing specialist may ask you about your lifestyle and hobbies during the exam. They will use this information to get you the hearing that’s right for you. Do you live with a large family or live alone in a quieter setting? Do you spend a lot of time outdoors? Do you primarily want to be able to hear the television or radio better?
Take a Test Drive
There could be several hearing devices that fit your needs and a sure-fire way to know which is best for you is to ask your hearing specialist for a demonstration or a “test drive.” It may be possible for them to fit a disposable attachment to the hearing aid and program it to your hearing loss to give you an accurate idea of how it works.
Don’t feel rushed when making your decision, either. Hearing aids are an investment and can be a costly one. It’s not a decision you want to make lightly. In today’s market, hearing aid prices can range from $1,600 up to $3,000 and are often not covered by Medicare or private insurance. A survey from Consumer Reports in 2014 states that there’s an average retail markup of about 117 percent, so there can be room for bargaining.
With the number of hearing aids available, there are as many add-ons from which to choose, too. Think about your specific hearing loss and the needs you want your hearing aid to meet. Many wireless technologies available can connect your hearing aid to a smartphone or smart tv, filter out noise in a crowded room, or help with phone conversations with a tele-coil. However, if you don’t need those advanced features you could save yourself a lot of money. Some hearing aids, like the ReSound LiNX 3D 9, allow you to recharge their batteries when not in use, saving you time and money on battery replacement.
Re-training Your Hearing
At last, you’ve got a new hearing aid you are on your way to better hearing once more! But your ears are not solely responsible for your hearing. “You don’t hear with your ears, you hear with your brain, and your brain doesn’t know what to do with the sound after you get your hearing aids,” says audiologist Barry Freeman of ZPower, based in Camarillo, CA. Check with your provider about aural rehabilitation and how it can help. There are auditory trainings that can be done in group sessions or at home on a personal computer.
Lastly, ask to have an automated “real ear” test to see how the aid works in your ear. You should not leave the office without checking that your hearing aid fits. It should fit physically, of course, but it should also fit your lifestyle according to the guidelines you discussed with your doctor.
