What To Consider In Selecting A Hearing Device

A wide range of hearing problems can be helped with hearing aids, however, no one device will solve all of your communication needs. Hearing devices do not restore perfect hearing and do not provide the same benefit to all users.

To be successful with hearing aids you need to have realistic expectations, you need to be fitted appropriately with the proper hearing instrument for your hearing loss, and you need to be motivated to improve your communication abilities.

Three factors are considered when being fitted with hearing devices: technology for the benefit you need, size, and cost. Each factor must be addressed individually in order to select the best instrument for you. We guide you in choosing the technology that gives you the benefit you are looking for, a size that meets your cosmetic needs, and a cost that is acceptable to you.

Benefit: Different hearing device technologies will vary in the way in which they aid your hearing. This is explained further on the Hearing Aid Pyramid (see below).

Size: Hearing devices come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some fit behind the ear, some fit in the bowl portion of the ear, and others fit completely in the ear canal. The four common sizes are referred to as the following: behind-the-ear, in-the-ear, in-the canal, and completely in-the-canal.

Cost: The cost of a hearing device depends on the technology and the size. The newer technology is more costly than the older technology, and, typically, the more miniaturized the device, the higher the cost.