If you’re a Reno resident who has recently been diagnosed with hearing loss and been told that hearing aids are a beneficial treatment solution, you are probably feeling quite a bit of stress over the sudden changes to your lifestyle. Choosing a hearing aid can feel overwhelming, especially given the wide variety of devices on the market. Not to worry: we can help you make a sound decision.
Pun intended.
By breaking down your search into easily manageable steps, you’ll be well on your way to choosing a hearing aid perfect for your needs. You’ll have to take the following considerations into account before signing on the proverbial dotted line.
Determine Your Hearing Needs
First and foremost, if you haven’t seen an audiologist yet, make an appointment! This hearing specialist is specifically trained to assess your hearing loss, measuring its severity (classified as normal to profound) and frequency to help determine your type of hearing loss. This is crucial in coming up with a treatment plan: conductive hearing loss occurs as a result of damage to the outer or middle ear and affects low frequency sounds, while sensorineural hearing loss is the result of damage to the inner ear and affects high frequency sounds. The right hearing aid will specifically target the frequencies you have trouble with.
Think About Functionality
Hearing aids come with a wide array of features. Most likely you won’t need all of them; decide which ones are most important to you and narrow down from there. Some of the more popular features include:
- Bluetooth® connectivity
- Rechargeable batteries
- Directional microphones
- Feedback suppression
- Digital noise reduction.
- Wax guards
- Automatic programming
Your Lifestyle is an Important Factor
Your lifestyle will dictate the type of hearing aid that will work best for you. Whether you enjoy quiet, intimate gatherings with a few close friends or participate in an active lifestyle that includes frequent background noise, there is a hearing aid designed specifically for your activity level and lifestyle needs.
What Is Your Cosmetic Preference?
Because you’ll be wearing your hearing aids every day, you’ll want to choose a pair that not only fits well and sounds great, but also appeals to your self-confidence. Hearing aids come in a wide range of sizes and styles; some hook over your ear and rest behind it, making them easily seen, while others are implanted deep within your ear canals, rendering them virtually invisible. There are pros and cons to each type.
Don’t Forget About Your Budget
Last but not least, there is cost to consider. Hearing aids can be pricey depending on your needs, but don’t let dollars and cents factor too strongly into your decision-making process. The most important thing is to find a pair of devices that address your specific hearing limitations. If you look at cost alone and end up with a cheap pair of hearing aids that don’t work very well, you will have essentially wasted your money.
Still feeling overwhelmed? That’s completely natural! Contact your Reno audiologist for help in choosing hearing aids that are perfect for your needs.
Call LeMay Hearing & Balance at (775) 323-5566 for more information or to schedule an appointment.