Many people with hearing loss wait 7 to 10 years before choosing to wear hearings aid for the first time. Despite experiencing signs of hearing loss, many people resist hearing aids for reasons like vanity or unwillingness to adjust to a new way of hearing.
There’s no reason to let these excuses stop you from improving your ability to hear. If missing out on hearing conversations wasn’t enough for you to try hearing aids, here are answers to four frequently asked questions many people ask when getting hearing aids for the first time.
1. Are the Hearing Aids of Today Really Better?
In the past, hearing aids were big, bulky, and didn’t provide a very natural hearing experience. They also often amplified every sound, instead of just the ones you wanted to hear. But with digital technology, hearing aids now provide a better, more discreet hearing experience than ever before.
Most of today’s hearing aids come with background noise reduction. This helps you to hear the sounds you want to hear, while minimizing the ones you don’t. Plus, with the help of program settings, you can adjust your hearing aids based on your listening situation.
There are also a greater variety of hearing aid styles to choose from. Style options provide both a more comfortable, and discreet, hearing experience.
2. What Style of Hearing Aids are Available?
When choosing a hearing aid style, you’ll want to think about physical features of your ear and how you hear. There are three main styles to consider:
- Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids rest behind your ear. The most common style, BTE hearing aids offer versatility by allowing the wearer to easily change their tubes and domes.
- Complete-in-canal (CIC) hearing aids sit in the ear canal, making them nearly invisible. Though they offer limited functionality, they are a great option for keeping your hearing help discreet.
- Receiver in canal (RIC) hearing aids similar to BTE, but with the hearing aid speaker at the end of the tube. Instead of a hollow tube, it contains wires that connect to the speaker. This allows for clearer sound and a smaller hearing aid.
3. Do You Need One or Two Hearing Aids?
When getting hearing aids for the first time, it can be tempting to buy one hearing aid instead of two. However, studies have shown that hearing aid wearers hear up to three times better with a set of hearing aids. Here’s why:
-
You’ll hear better in noise.
-
You can reduce your tinnitus.
-
You’ll hear sounds more clearly.
-
You’ll improve your ability to locate the source of sounds.
-
You’lll have an easier time tolerating loud sounds.
-
You’ll be more satisfied with your hearing experience.
4. What Hearing Aids Features are Available?
Most hearing aids of today offer special features to make your hearing experience even better. To select the right features for you, you’ll need to consider your personal preferences, lifestyle, and budget.
In terms of personal preferences, the HCEQ Smart BTE Hearing Aid is for those who’d like to adjust their hearing aids from their smartphone. There’s also the HCR3 Rechargeable hearing aid for those who don’t want to fool around with batteries.
Lifestyle can also influence your hearing aid choice. For instance, if your lifestyle frequently exposes you to higher levels of background noise, the HCX hearing aid may provide the power you need.
Finally, if you’re on a budget, and perhaps are often in more quiet situations with little background noise, the HC206 hearing aid may be sufficient. Plus, each HC206 is a mere $149 per aid!
How Can You Hear Better Today?
Now that you know more about hearing aids, we hope that you feel more confident about purchasing hearing aids. Not sure where to find great hearing aids for a reasonable price?
Advanced Affordable Hearing’s mission is to help people hear better at a price they can afford. Instead visiting a hearing care professional, simply visit our Online Hearing Check to get a general sense of your hearing loss.
Especially if your a first time hearing aid user, we recommend give us a call at 1 (800) 804-0434.