Choosing the right hearing aid can be a tricky business, especially if this is a new experience for you. Today’s hearing aids come in all different shapes, sizes, colours and boast a multitude of new technologies, all of which can be very overwhelming.
In this blog we’ll give you some things to consider when you’re buying a hearing aid.
The first thing to consider might seem pretty obvious but it’s amazing how many of us would buy a two seater Boxster simply because of the Porsche logo momentarily forgetting we have children and partners, friends and clients that we regularly chauffer. As fast as this car goes, it’s not really going to do the job in the long run.
It’s essential that you take into account the kind of hearing loss you suffer from. Is it mild or severe? Your hearing loss is unique to you and it’s important that you understand your needs and what you require of your hearing device.
Do you need a hearing aid that can go the distance without needing a recharge? Is Bluetooth and being able to take calls on the go important to you? What about size or colour? Some people like to flaunt their devices while others prefer more subtle tech.
The fact remains there is a hearing aid to suit everyone, but finding that perfect match might takes a little self-reflection and some discussions with your audiologist.
One big consideration is your lifestyle.Do you go out or stay in?Are you more of a dinner and drinks person or do you prefer to spend your Friday nights watching TV at home?
If you prefer evenings out on the town you’ll find yourself exposed to a lot of background noise. If you’ve suffered with hearing loss for some time now you’ll know what we mean. Lots of indistinct chatter, glassware clinking, chairs scraping – essentially lots of noise and none of it clear. For you the best type of hearing aid is one that reduces background noise and enhances speech to make sure you’re getting the most out of your lunch dates and dinner parties.
However if you’re someone who prefers a quiet night in with a book or a close conversation with a friend this particular feature might not be the most important one for you.What about streaming?Do you want to be able to listen to your music or TV directly from your hearing aids?
Do you often wonder if your hand is actually physically glued to your phone? If so there’s a good chance Bluetooth hearing aids are the devices for you. Hearing aids of the past often limited the wearer’s access to their personal audio devices. Many of today’s hearing devices offer Bluetooth connectivity to your phone, tablet, TV or any of your other favourite tech. Say goodbye to swapping out your hearing aids for earphones just so you can listen to your favourite music.
You can even manage your hearing aid from your smartphone. Today’s hearing aids aren’t just a one trick pony and they can do much more than amplify sound. You can access dozens of apps that will help to personalize your hearing aid experience.What about sound?Do you struggle to hear soft sounds?
When we begin to lose our hearing we don’t always notice it. Sounds like birds chirping, paper crackling and even the soft voices of children can be missed and we can be none the wiser. If you find yourself struggling with soft sounds you would benefit greatly from a hearing aid with a good capability to amplify those soft, ambient sounds.Another thing to consider that we can sometimes forget is our work environment.There’s a big difference between working at construction site and working in an office, or at least we hope there is – some offices might feel like you’re on a construction site! It’s paramount that when you are choosing a hearing aid you take into account your work situation. Do you need to reduce unwanted background noise exponentially? Do you need to capture soft sounds? Do you work in a lecture hall or theatre where having a good perception of acoustics is necessary? It might seem exhaustive but all these factors play a part in choosing the right hearing aid.
And finally, possibly the most important thing to consider is:Where is my hearing most important to me? Do you host large gatherings, go to religious services, regularly play sports or maybe you’re an avid sailor? It’s important to ask yourself what parts of your life are significant to your hearing journey as these are essential in choosing the right hearing aid for you.The first step to treating your hearing loss is to make an appointment to see a specialist audiologist who will test your hearing. If a hearing loss is identified they will then clearly and thoroughly explain any treatment plans or options and will be there to help you navigate your journey to better hearing.[uncode_block id=”58588″]If you’d like to read more about our top hearing aid picks of 2021, click here:[uncode_index el_id=”index-854949″ loop=”size:1|order_by:date|post_type:post|by_id:56518|taxonomy_count:10″ gutter_size=”3″ post_items=”media|featured|onpost|original,title,category|nobg|relative|display-icon,date,text|excerpt,link|default|default_size” screen_lg=”1000″ screen_md=”600″ screen_sm=”480″ single_width=”12″ images_size=”sixteen-nine” single_overlay_opacity=”50″ single_padding=”2″ single_title_dimension=”h4″]
