4 FAQs About Hearing Aids

If you have been diagnosed with hearing loss, a hearing aid can single-handedly do a lot to improve your quality of living. They are devices designed to amplify your hearing, to help you better control what you can and cannot hear. There are a lot of different kinds, however, and before you choose one with the audiologist, you might have some questions. Here are some that we hear most often.

What types of hearing aids are there?

There are two primary categories of hearing aids: behind the ear and in the ear. In those categories, there are sub-categories. For instance, in the ear devices can be split into completely in the canal, invisible in the canal, and in the canal. There are various differences, such as size, battery size, and where they are placed. To figure out which best fits you, you will need to think about your manual dexterity. If you have trouble using your hands, smaller varieties like invisible in the canal may not be as effective. Your audiologist will help you narrow down your choices based on these circumstances, as well as your level of hearing loss.

What features are available?

Hearing aid technology is improving rapidly, meaning that a whole host of features are now broadly available. Some of the most common include: automatic noise reduction, wind reduction, tinnitus masking, directional microphone, waterproofing, wireless capabilities, and much more. A little further research on features and talking with your audiologist can help you figure out which features are most important to you when selecting a device.

What should I focus on when choosing a hearing aid?

Your audiologist will help you rule out categories of hearing aids based on your hearing loss and manual dexterity. When selecting from the remaining options, it’s best to think about your lifestyle and your budget. Choosing one that’s affordable is crucial, but you should also think about your hobbies, home life, and work environment. If you’re always in busy social environments with lots of people, you may need a different device from someone who spends most of their time in their own home. Similarly, if you have specific hobbies like going to concerts or swimming, you can get hearing aids best suited to those activities.

How can I adjust to my hearing aids?

After you get your hearing aid fit in, the audiologist will help you learn how to look after it, as well as how to get used to it. Crucial maintenance includes learning how to clean it daily, as well as how to change the batteries. It can be overwhelming when you first your hearing aids, so your audiologist will also prepare a plan for how long you should wear it for every day. You may be wearing it no longer than an hour to begin with, but that time will continue to increase every day until you’re wearing it all day. It takes time to get used to, but you will adjust to it before long.

If it seems like a lot of information to process at once, don’t worry. Your audiologist will work closely with you to help you choose the device that best fits your circumstances and needs.