How to Choose the Right Hearing Aids

There are so many hearing aid options, including over-the-counter options, so what is important when choosing a hearing aid?

The first step to pursuing hearing aids is to schedule a diagnostic hearing evaluation with an audiologist. The audiologist will take the time to fully assess your degree and type of hearing loss to determine if amplification is the right choice for you.  There are some types of hearing loss that can be treated and resolved, so it is important to get a full examination of your ears.

Once testing is complete, the audiologist will be able to review the type and degree of hearing loss so that you can determine what options would best fit. They also do an assessment of your communication needs so that you can choose the technology that will provide the best listening experience.  Hearing aids now also offer a wide array of options such as rechargeability, Bluetooth, and hands- free listening.   There are also different styles of hearing aids that are recommended for certain types of hearing loss. It’s important to understand the differences between the styles and how they might offer the best fit for your hearing loss. While small in the canal hearing aids may be preferred, they can overamplify your voice and may not be easy to handle due to their size.

Cost is certainly a big consideration when choosing hearing aids, and there are inexpensive options that may be available depending on your loss and communication needs. Hearing aids can run anywhere from $1,000 to $3,600, depending on the technology and how well they perform in noisy settings. Reviewing your listening situations will help you choose what options would provide the most improvement in hearing.

In general, insurance does not cover the cost of hearing aids, but there are some medicare advantage plans that offer discounted options for hearing aids.  Your audiologist will know what plans offer this benefit.

The important thing to remember is that you do have a 45-day trial period to wear the aids and make sure they are right for your hearing loss and provide the best listening experience. Your audiologist will work with you during your trial to make sure you are getting the most benefit. There are many options for amplification, and the audiologist can guide you in making the best decision.