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If you have recently been diagnosed with mild or moderate hearing loss by your doctor or hearing aid specialist, you might be thinking about using hearing aids. Although they don't restore your hearing, hearing aids can still be a great help by amplifying the sounds in your everyday life. With so many different designs, brands and amazing prices to consider, you may be wondering where to start when choosing the right hearing aid for you.
Many people with some degree of hearing loss wait up to 10 years before getting help because of things like this high prices. Don't let indecision stop you from putting your health first with a good quality pair of hearing aids; Here's everything you need to know to choose the right type of hearing aid i find affordable prices on the brands and styles you deserve.
Whether you're looking for your first pair of hearing aids or planning to upgrade to something newer, we're here with all the information on how hearing aids work, what your options are, and which hearing aids might be perfect. you
Basic elements for hearing aids
Learn more about how hearing aids work and what types and brands you it should search — when choosing a hearing aid for you.
How do hearing aids work?
All hearing aids, regardless of brand or style, counteract hearing loss. These small sound amplifying devices sit in the ear or inside the ear to capture, amplify and transfer sound. This is all thanks to technology such as microphones and speakers that transmit important sounds to the user.
There are a few ways to get a good hearing aid. The first is through your doctor. Simply schedule a review to learn more about the cause and severity of your hearing loss, then get a referral to a trusted audiologist for a more thorough hearing exam. This can set you up with a pair of quality prescription hearing aids.
But it's worth noting that these tend to be more expensive than your alternative option: over-the-counter hearing aids. Prescription devices can cost more than $1,500, while some over-the-counter hearing aids, such as the popular Jabra Enhance Plus hearing aids (starting at $799 a pair), can be much less expensive.
What are the different types of hearing aids?
Choosing the right fit can be an important, yet easily overlooked, part of hearing aid shopping. Are you going with a smaller device that fits discreetly in the ear canal? Or would you prefer something a little bulkier that sits securely and comfortably behind and around the ear?
Here are the most common styles of hearing aids you're likely to come across:
- Behind the ear (BTE): BTE hearing aids go over the top of the ear, with most of the electronics in a plastic box behind. With the larger design, these provide optimal sound amplification over other models.
- Receiver in channel (RIC): RIC hearing aids (as well as smaller receiver-in-the-ear, or RITE) devices are similar in design to a BTE, but with a connecting cable instead of the BTE's ear. This gives more room to the ear canal and results in a more comfortable fit.
- In-the-ear (ITE): ITE hearing aids are made to fit completely in the outer ear. These devices have longer battery life and usually include more features, such as volume control, than smaller models.
- Completely in the channel (CIC): CIC hearing aids have the smallest design, with a custom-made housing that fits in the ear canal. These are the least noticeable, but they don't offer many features or the most powerful sound amplification.
- Open Fit: A variation of a BTE, an open hearing aid has an over-the-ear design with an open dome in the canal instead of a tube or mold. This keeps the ear canal open so that natural sound also enters the ear, ideal for mild to moderate hearing loss.
Should you get a prescription hearing aid or an OTC hearing aid?
In October 2022, the FDA approved the use and sale of over-the-counter or OTC hearing aids. OTC hearing aids do not require a hearing evaluation or prescription, but you must be 18 or older to make a purchase.
OTC hearing aids are ideal for mild to moderate hearing loss and can already be found from brands such as Eargo and Go Lively.
However, if you have severe or profound hearing loss, you should talk to your doctor or audiologist about prescription hearing amplifiers. Although they are more expensive, they are regulated by the FDA for optimal amplification and usually include services such as ongoing maintenance and professional fitting by a specialist.
Can hearing aids help with tinnitus?
Although they do not cure or reduce the severity of tinnitus, experts such as those at the National Council on Aging (NCOA) consider hearing aids to be a leading treatment option for alleviating the condition.
The best hearing aids for tinnitus can help manage symptoms, thanks to features such as customizable hearing programs and advanced sound processing capabilities. Some quality hearing aids can effectively mask the persistent sounds that come with tinnitus, distracting users from the more persistent symptoms of tinnitus.
Some prescription hearing aids allow users to adjust sound settings on the fly, which is great for dealing with tinnitus symptoms that come and go or change in severity over time. Some of Eargo's latest hearing aid models, such as the discreet Eargo 7, allow users to make easy adjustments in the app using the Sound Adjust plus control.
Tips for choosing the best hearing aid for you
Buying OTC hearing aids online can be confusing. It can help to know which brands offer quality hearing aids.
Costco excels as a wholesale retailer, with the Costco Hearing Aid Center offering hearing aids from trusted brands such as Rexton, Philips and Jabra. You can also schedule a hearing test with an audiologist at your local Costco Hearing Center and learn how to find the right sound amplification device for your needs.
One thing that can make buying hearing aids easier is knowing which features are most important to you. Consider this list of additional features that come with some hearing aids and see what surprises you:
- Noise Reduction: All hearing aids offer some level of noise reduction, but the quality can vary between brands and models.
- Rechargeable batteries: Easily rechargeable hearing aids are becoming more common. It can be a great convenience to invest in a rechargeable hearing aid instead of one that requires you to change the batteries every now and then. Most OTC hearing aids last around 10 hours on a single charge, but for the best battery life, we recommend the Sony CRE-E10 hearing aid, which can last over 25 hours on a single charge according to Sony.
- Directional microphones: All hearing aids include an omnidirectional microphone to pick up and isolate certain sounds, but some also include microphones that can focus in just one direction. Forward-facing directional microphones could be useful for things like one-on-one conversations.
- Bluetooth / wireless connectivity: In this digital age, it's hard to imagine none sound amplification device that does not include any type of wireless connectivity. Bluetooth compatibility is an increasingly common feature in newer hearing aids. Count on this feature if you love the idea of effortlessly connecting your hearing aid to your phone, computer or TV.
- Pre-programmed settings: Some hearing aids can store more than one setting at a time, usually set by your audiologist, to meet different listening needs or sound environments. This can be useful for people with the inner ear disorder Ménière's disease who may need to make multiple hearing aid adjustments daily.
