Choosing the Right Hearing Aids

If you have been told by your audiologist that you need hearing aids, you might be struggling for a place to start. There is a variety of options that are going to be available to you, but you need to know which ones will suit your hearing loss best. Of course, you can discuss this with your audiologist, but it is also good to conduct some research of your own so that you can make a well-informed decision on what hearing aids are going to be best for you.

In the ear (ITE)

In the ear hearing aids are typically more suitable for those people who are suffering mild to severe hearing loss. These custom-made devices will be fitted by your audiologist to ensure that you are getting the most from your hearing aids and are experiencing as little hearing loss as possible. Many people prefer these because even though they are visible, they come in a variety of colors to match your skin tone, meaning they are going to be less noticeable than others on the market right now.

Another huge benefit of the in the ear hearing aid is that it is easy to adjust if it starts to get uncomfortable. This is not usually going to be the case as the devices are made to fit each person individually, but sometimes they can move about and if this does happen they are big enough for you to adjust without experiencing any issues.

Behind the ear (BTE)

These are the most popular hearing aids on the market. Behind the ear hearing aids hang on the top of your ear, and stays in place using a hook which holds onto your ear. They are so popular because they are durable, easy to use, and they are big enough to adjust when this is necessary. Something that you need to know about behind the ear hearing aids is that they are a lot more robust than the in-the-canal variety, meaning that they usually need fewer repairs than these other models. This is mainly due to the fact that they do not come into contact with wax from your ear, as they never actually go inside.

Behind the ear hearing aids are also suitable for a wide range of hearing losses, making them one of the most universal. You will also find that they provide minimal feedback such as whistling, even when you have the volume turned up high. But also, thanks to the size of these hearing aids, they are simple to clean, and it isn’t going to cause you any issue to put it back on after you have done this.

Completely in canal (CIC)

These hearing aids fit directly inside the ear canal. As such they are incredibly small. They are suited for those individuals who don’t want other people to know they are using hearing aids. Only your audiologist will know for sure that you are using this type of device. That’s how concealed they are! There are two types.

The first is in the canal but is not entirely invisible. Instead, there is a small piece of plastic or wire or string sticking out which allows you to remove the hearing aids. The other however has no piece attached which means that someone could stare straight down your ear and still not notice the device. So, if you’re feeling self-conscience about your hearing loss, then these are definitely the hearing aids for you.

That said, due to the size, these hearing aids are never going to be as powerful or as tech-filled as the larger devices available. Furthermore, due to the lack of power before these devices, they are also not going to be suitable for more severe forms of hearing loss. They likely won’t be able to provide the level of support that you will require with this degree of hearing loss.

What’s right for you?

When you are choosing the right hearing aids for you, you need to consider the level of hearing loss that you are suffering with. Some hearing aids are only going to be appropriate for certain levels of hearing loss, and others are more universal. Make sure that you have done your research to determine what is going to best suit your needs, and consult your audiologist once you have found the solution that is right for you.

Price is something else that you need to consider here. You aren’t going to want to look at hearing aids that are out of your budget, so sit down and figure out how much you have to spend on these devices before you start looking around.

Audiology clinics can help you find more information about the hearing aids available. To learn more about Audiology Clinics of Puerto Rico contact us at one of our locations:

• Aguadilla: (888) 745-2793
• Mayaguez: (888) 699-7401