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If your doctor or healthcare professional has recently diagnosed you with mild to moderate hearing loss, hearing aid specialistyou might consider purchasing hearing aids. While they won’t restore your hearing, hearing aids can still be a huge help by amplifying the sounds of your daily life. With so many models, brands, and outrageous price tags to consider, you may be wondering where to start when choosing the right one. the hearing aid that suits you.
Many people with some degree of hearing loss wait up to 10 years before seeking help due to factors such as: high pricesDon’t let indecision stop you from prioritizing your health with a good quality pair of hearing aids; below, we’ve outlined everything you need to know to choose the right type of hearing aid. And find affordable prices on the brands and styles you deserve.
Whether you’re looking for your first pair of hearing aids or considering upgrading to something newer, we’ve got you covered with all the information on how hearing aids work, what your options are, and which hearing aid may be best for you.
Hearing Aid Essentials
Learn all about how hearing aids work – and what types and brands You should Pay attention to — when choosing a hearing aid for you.
How do hearing aids work?
All hearing aids, regardless of brand or model, help combat hearing loss. These tiny sound-amplifying devices sit on or in the ear to pick up, amplify, and transfer sound. It all comes from technologies like microphones and speakers that transmit important sounds to the wearer.
There are several ways to get a good hearing aid. The first is to visit your doctor. Simply schedule an appointment for an exam to learn more about the cause and severity of your hearing loss, and then get a referral to a trusted audiologist for a more in-depth hearing exam. This can help you get a quality pair of prescription hearing aids.
It’s worth noting, however, that these devices tend to be more expensive than your other option: over-the-counter hearing aids. Prescription devices can cost upwards of $1,500, while some over-the-counter hearing aids, like the popular Jabra Enhance Plus hearing aids (starting at $799 per pair), can be much cheaper.
What are the different types of hearing aids?
Choosing the right hearing aid can be an important, yet often overlooked, part of buying a hearing aid. Do you want a smaller device that fits discreetly into the ear canal? Or do you prefer something a little bulkier that sits securely and comfortably behind and around the ear?
Here are the most common hearing aid styles you’re likely to encounter:
- Behind-the-ear (BTE): BTE hearing aids sit on top of the ear, with most of the electronics housed in a plastic housing behind it. Their larger design means they provide optimal sound amplification compared to other models.
- Receiver in channel (RIC): RIC hearing aids (as well as small RITE devices) are similar to BTEs in design, but with a connecting wire in place of the BTE earmold. This gives more space in the ear canal and allows for a more comfortable fit.
- In-ear (ITE): ITE hearing aids are designed to sit completely inside the outer ear. These devices have a longer battery life and typically have more features, such as volume control, than smaller models.
- Completely in the canal (CIC): CIC hearing aids are the smallest, with a custom shell that fits the ear canal. They are the least visible, but they do not offer many features or the most powerful sound amplification.
- Open cut: A variation of a behind-the-ear, an open-fit hearing aid is designed over the ear with an open dome in the ear canal instead of a tube or earmold. This keeps the ear canal open so natural sound can also enter the ear – ideal for mild to moderate hearing loss.
Should you get a prescription or over-the-counter hearing aid?
In October 2022, the FDA approved the use and sale of over-the-counter hearing aids. Over-the-counter hearing aids do not require a hearing evaluation or prescription, but you must be 18 years of age or older to make a purchase.
Over-the-counter hearing aids are ideal for mild to moderate hearing loss and can already be found from brands like Eargo and Go Lively.
If you have severe or profound hearing loss, however, you should talk to your doctor or audiologist about prescription hearing amplifiers. While more expensive, they are FDA-regulated for optimal amplification and typically come with services such as ongoing maintenance and professional fitting by a specialist.
Can hearing aids help with tinnitus?
Although they do not cure or reduce the severity of tinnitus, hearing aids are considered by experts such as those at the National Council on Aging (NCOA) to be a leading treatment option for relieving this condition.
THE The Best Hearing Aids for Tinnitus Hearing aids can help manage symptoms, with features like customizable hearing programs and advanced sound processing capabilities. Some quality hearing aids can effectively mask the persistent sounds that accompany tinnitus, distracting users from the more persistent symptoms of tinnitus.
Some prescription hearing aids allow users to adjust sound settings on the fly, which is ideal for dealing with tinnitus symptoms that come and go or change in intensity over time. Some of Eargo’s latest hearing aid models, like the discreet Eargo 7, allow users to make easy adjustments in the app using the Sound Adjust Plus control.
Tips for Choosing the Best Hearing Aid for You
Shopping for over-the-counter hearing aids online can be confusing. It can be helpful to know which brands offer quality hearing aids.
Costco stands out as a wholesaler, with its Costco Hearing Center offering hearing aids from trusted brands like Rexton, Philips and Jabra. You can also schedule a hearing test with an audiologist at your local Costco Hearing Center and get advice on finding the right sound amplification device for your needs.
One thing that can make buying hearing aids easier is knowing what features matter most to you. Check out this list of additional features that come with some hearing aids and see what jumps out at you:
- Noise reduction: All hearing aids provide some level of noise reduction, but the quality can vary between brands and models.
- Rechargeable batteries: Hearing aids that are easily rechargeable are becoming more common. Investing in a rechargeable hearing aid can be a great convenience rather than one that requires changing batteries every so often. Most over-the-counter hearing aids last about 10 hours on a single charge, but for the best battery life, we recommend the Sony CRE-E10 hearing aid, which can last over 25 hours on a single charge according to Sony.
- Directional microphones: All hearing aids have an omnidirectional microphone to pick up and isolate certain sounds, but some also have microphones that can focus on a single direction. Forward-facing directional microphones can be useful for one-on-one conversations, for example.
- Bluetooth / Wireless Connectivity: In the digital age, it is difficult to imagine any of them A sound amplification device that does not include wireless connectivity. Bluetooth compatibility is an increasingly common feature in newer hearing aids. Look for this feature if the idea of effortlessly connecting your hearing aid to your phone, computer, or TV appeals to you.
- Pre-programmed settings: Some hearing aids can remember multiple settings at once, usually configured by your audiologist, to meet different listening needs or sound environments. This can be helpful for people with Ménière’s disease, an inner ear disorder, who may need to make multiple hearing aid adjustments each day.
