Hearing Aids Buying Guide: How to Choose the Right One
One in seven Australians is affected by a loss of hearing with three out of four people over 70 years of age suffering age-related hearing loss. While a hearing device can’t restore your hearing, if a suitable aid is worn, and the person receives rehabilitation and training in how to wear hearing aids, they can be very effective.
However, if you’ve had a hearing test and aids are recommended, the investment required can be significant if you seek the most advanced technology especially if you’re not eligible for assistance from the government. As such it’s important you make the right decision when you choose the kind of hearing aid you buy.
Hearing aid technology is developing all the time, and new and smaller hearing aids are now on the market, so the following hearing aids guide is designed to help you choose the right one for your situation.
Types of Hearing Aid
So your hearing care professional has diagnosed you with a hearing impairment? Whether you have mild to moderate hearing loss or if it’s more severe and you want to buy a hearing aid, you are on the road to a new life.
However, getting there might be a bit difficult when you’re confronted with the different types of more advanced hearing aids, especially the modern digital hearing aids, to choose from.
Check out the Hearing Aid Buyer’s Guide on our ACE Audiology website to find the best hearing aids to buy for your hearing difficulty. The guide shows categories to help you zero in on your needs. At ACE Audiology, we don’t promote brands, so what you get from the guide is an independent opinion from an Audiology standpoint about the right hearing devices that should meet your needs.
Is there a difference in the quality of hearing aids?
There isn’t any real difference in the quality of most hearing aids or hearing devices available in Australia. The point is, which of the modern hearing aids are right for your particular impairment? Some people with severe hearing loss might need a different hearing device than someone with a profound hearing loss or more complex listening demands.
The main brands available in Australia (not in order of quality or price) are:
While there is no ‘best hearing aid‘, they are not all the same. The different brands developed by the hearing aid manufacturers suit different aspects of hearing loss. The takeaway here is that a certain brand of hearing aids sold in Australia might suit your requirements more than another brand.
What to look for when buying a hearing aid
If you need to buy hearing aids, there are several options available. Your hearing aid specialist at ACE Audiology will help you choose the right new hearing aid with good sound quality to suit your hearing ability and lifestyle. Choose from the following hearing aid styles:
Invisible
Discrete types of hearing aids are important for many people who would rather others didn’t notice they wear them. On the other hand, others prefer behind the ear hearing aids that can sometimes be more noticeable but usually pack more features and benefits.
Invisible in ear canal (IIC)
These styles are nearly invisible with a tiny extraction wire allowing you to insert and remove the aid. For people who don’t mind something deep in their ear, this style might suit. Ear canals need to be of a moderate size for this style to be feasible.
BTE hearing aids
Almost all hearing aids at one time were worn behind the ear. These hearing aid types amplify sound well, they’re reliable, fairly easy to maintain and deliver hearing improvement for all levels of loss. They are usually easier to service and repair without having to send them away.
ITE, ITC, CIC, aids
These are variations in the sizing of custom in the ear hearing aids. The increasing size suits higher degrees of hearing loss and can also address manipulation issues some may have with very small devices and batteries.
RITE, RIC aids
The receiver in ear, or receiver in canal aids are the most popular style worldwide. They’re a cross between in-ear aids and BTE. Like BTEs the unit containing the processor, battery, and microphone is behind the ear, but the receiver is placed in the ear canal. They’re suitable for mild to severe loss.
Call us today at ACE Audiology and begin your pathway to better hearing.
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