What is the plan when you’ve recognized that you need to get hearing aids? Finding the right hearing aids is an important decision since they will become such a major part of your life. If you find some hearing aids that can only be purchased on the internet, then you can be fairly certain they are probably pretty flimsy. If you truly think that you can buy a quality device for less money from the internet, then the sacrifice is how well you hear, and that’s your decision. When you are shopping for hearing aids, there are some sacrifices that you should be ok with, but is your hearing one of them?
Cheap Internet Knockoffs Are Not Actually Hearing Aids
Hearing assistance devices that can be purchased from the internet are not really a bargain and their not actually hearing aids. They are very poor in quality and don’t work very well. What money you save on the device itself, you lose by having to continuously replace the batteries, and you will replace them a lot.
Amplifying sound is the only thing these poor-quality devices can do. Customization to your exact needs can be accomplished with the combined technologies found inside of a modern quality digital hearing aid. Several important features will be sacrificed if you decide to purchase a cheap online device.
Your new hearing aids are an investment in your future and you need to see them that way. If you can’t hear well it will make your life very overwhelming and might wind up costing you money, so don’t go cheap when you buy hearing aids. Be certain to get the hearing aids you actually need. Even if you can’t afford them there might be other solutions.
Analog Vs. Digital
Digital hearing aids offer higher quality sound that is more reliable. If you run across analog hearing aids, move on and shop for the digital units, instead.
Reputable retailers don’t even have analog devices anymore. If you’re not aware of the difference you might confuse an analog device for a digital. Low-quality analog signals are what the older out-dated hearing aids work with. Analog hearing aids have major issues with consistent sound quality.
Looking For The Perfect Features
When you go shopping for hearing aids consider the two aspects which are features and style. You want a comfortable style that offers features that make your life easier. A few common features to consider include:
- Remote controls
- Synchronization
- Direct audio input
- Rechargeable batteries
- Bluetooth
- Environmental noise control
- Wireless connectivity
- Noise reduction
- Directional microphones
- Telecoils
- Variable programming
Consider the Styles
You will notice, when you get started researching hearing aids, that there are many styles to pick from. That is good news because it means that there is certainly a style that will be perfect for your needs. Some of the different styles are:
- Open Fit
- Receiver-in-the-Ear (RIE)
- In-the-Ear (ITE)
- Behind-the-Ear (BTE)
- In-the-Ear (ITE)
- Receiver-in-the-Canal (RIC)
A pretty good definition of each style is offered by the names. BTE hearing aids incorporate a piece that sits behind the ear. It attaches to a clear tube and an ear-mold that sits at the opening of the ear canal.
On the other hand, ITE hearing aids sit, you guessed it, in the ear. This device is at the opening of the ear canal and is just one unit. Nothing attaches behind the ear. ITC means “in the canal” and they are very much like ITE’s but ITC’s go further into the ear canal and that means that you can’t see them so much.
RIC devices and RIE devices have a “receiver in the canal” and a “receiver in the ear” respectively, which are then connected to a piece behind the ear. Both styles are usually less conspicuous than BTE hearing aids.
Finally, open fit units are BTE devices but rather than connecting to an ear-mold, a tiny tube goes into the ear canal. This style is a good choice for people who don’t like the feeling of something stuck in their ear.
After going over all of these options, it’s time to choose which style and options will best fit your needs. Bluetooth capability, for instance, is a feature you would want if you talk on your phone or a computer frequently. Rechargeable batteries save you money on replacement batteries and telecoil is good if you have to listen to lectures or seminars a lot.
Lastly, Your Buying Options Should be Taken Into Consideration
A qualified retailer that has a free trial period and that will custom fit the device is the best place to buy your new hearing aids. It’s difficult to be confident that you are making the right choice if you don’t have a chance to try your hearing aids before you purchase them.
A good warranty will come with a quality hearing aid, so don’t overlook that. What kind of coverage does it come with? Will you get a new hearing aid if something goes wrong or does the warranty only cover parts and maybe labor?
Before picking out hearing aids make an appointment with a hearing care professional for a checkup and hearing test, too. There are many reasons you might observe a change in your hearing and they don’t all require hearing aids.