The numbers don’t lie: you will probably require hearing aids someday. A study from NIDCD estimates that approximately a quarter of all people from 60 to 75 have some form of hearing loss, and that number jumps up to 50% for those 75 and older. But how can you be sure which hearing aid is correct for you when you realize it’s your best chance of combating hearing loss? Hearing aids at one time had problems like susceptibility to water damage and excessive background noise but modern day hearing aids have resolved these sorts of issues. But to make sure your choice of hearing aid is right for you, there are still things you need to consider.
Directionality is a Crucial Feature
Directionality is one crucial function you should look for, which is your hearing aid’s ability to focus on the particular noise around you (like a conversation) while keeping background noise to a minimum. Most hearing aids have different directionality packages, which either focus in on the sound right in front of you, the sound that’s coming from different speakers, or a combination of those two.
Can You Use it With Your Phone?
It’s become apparent, we’re addicted to our phone as a nation. Even if you don’t have a smartphone, chances are you have an old-style cell phone. And for the few who don’t actually have a cell phone, you probably still have a land-line. So, how well hearing aid works with your phone is an essential concern when you’re shopping for hearing aids. What does it sound like? Are you able to discern voices clearly? Does it feel easy to wear? Are there any Bluetooth connectivity options available? When looking at new hearing aids, you should consider all of these.
Are You Inclined to Wear it?
As mentioned above, hearing aid development has progressed tremendously over the past few years. One of those advances has been the size and shape of hearing aids, which have moved towards the smaller and more comfortable path. But there are certainly pros and cons. A more compact hearing aid may not be as powerful as a larger one, so it mostly depends on your hearing specialist’s recommendation and what you want to achieve with your hearing aid. The little models won’t have the features of the larger models and they may get clogged with earwax but they do fit inside your ears almost imperceptibility. On the other side of it, better directionality features and more advanced sound amplification choices are available with a behind the ear hearing aid though it’s a little larger.
Exposure to Particular Background Noises
Wind interference has been an overwhelming difficulty for hearing aid users ever since they were developed. Being outside on a windy day with a traditional hearing aid used to mean that you couldn’t hear anything except the wind, which is could drive anyone nuts. If you’re an outdoors kind of person or you live in a windy area, you’ll want to control wind noises with your hearing aid choice so that conversations won’t have that aggravating wind howl. Searching for more information about how to choose the correct hearing aid? Call us.
