Choosing the Best Hearing Aids on the Market For You
It’s a simple question and one that is asked a lot. Surely there is a simple answer!
In this article Paul Shaw from ‘The Hearing Space‘ audiology clinic in Leeds takes a look at some of the factors that will help us understand this a bit more about choosing the best hearing aid for you.
Your hearing loss and your lifestyle
Hearing problems are different for everyone. Losing your hearing can be anything from mild to profound hearing loss, with the severity of hearing problems influencing the type of hearing aid that can be used.
Furthermore, not everyone has the same listening needs. Some people may work and attend lots of meetings and social events, with a heavy demand of their hearing. Others may live a quieter life, with occasional social events.
Hearing aid style
When we talk about the style of a modern hearing aid, we are talking about the look and fit of the device. Does the hearing aid fit in the ear or behind the ear. Is it almost invisible or can it be seen?
Outside the ear
Modern devices which sit outside the ear are typically called RICs (receiver -in-the-canal), with receiver meaning the loudspeaker component of a hearing aid. These devices are usually small, discreet and have Bluetooth connectivity, allowing for audio streaming from smartphones, TVs and other audio sources. They also connect to an app on a smartphone, allowing for control and adjustment when needed.
Inside The Ear
These smaller hearing aids typically fit somewhere in the ear, either discretely in the ear canal or sometimes more visible in the outer ear.
The more visible types are called ITE (in-the-ear) and ITC (in-the-canal) hearing aids. They can not only fit quite severe and moderate hearing losses but also can have Bluetooth connectivity and hearing aid features similar to the RIC devices above.
Smaller, more discrete hearing devices include CIC (completely-in-canal) and IIC (invisible-in-canal). These sit almost invisibly in the ear canal. They are usually used for people with mild-moderate losses and typically do not have Bluetooth functionality.
Performance level of advanced hearing aids
There are several leading hearing aid manufacturers of hearing devices including Phonak, Oticon, Widex, and Starkey. Once a hearing aid style has been chosen, the manufacturers offer each style in different performance levels.
Think of buying a car. You can usually buy several versions of the same car. With hearing aids, the highest performance level is usually best for people who are active and have demanding listening needs. For someone who lives alone, with few social events, a lower performance level may be more suitable (and less expensive).
So, what is the best hearing aid for me?
This is where finding a good audiologist is crucial in your journey to better hearing. Not only will a good audiologist have access to a wide range of hearing aid styles and manufacturers, but they will also be able to advise you and guide you in to making the right decision for your needs.
Hearing devices are an investment in your quality of life and therefore, choosing the best hearing devices requires skill and expertise from your audiologist. With care and attention, your audiologist will work with you so that ultimately, you do take home the best hearing aids on the market for you!
Need some new hearing aids? At ‘The Hearing Space’ in Leeds, our consultant audiologist, Paul Shaw (MSc), has over 30 years of experience in the NHS and the independent market, offering only the latest hearing aid technology from their audiology clinic in Leeds. Helping you hear clearly again!
