What brand of hearing aid is the best? This is a question we are often asked. The answer is…there is not a best brand! There are 6 major, world-wide manufacturers of hearing aids including Starkey, ReSound, Phonak, Widex, Oticon, and Signia (formerly Siemens). Each of these companies invests heavily in research and development and offers high quality products.
The qualifications of the person fitting and adjusting your hearing aids is far more important than the brand of hearing aid. A Hearing Instrument Specialist (HIS) has had 6 months training, while an audiologist has a Doctorate or Master’s degree in audiology. If your hearing aids are not properly selected and adjusted you will not hear to your maximum potential. If you have a friend or family member who is hearing very well with his “?” brand hearing aids, it does not mean that is the best brand of hearing aid. It reflects how well the hearing aids were programmed and how successful his training and counseling sessions were.
The type of hearing loss you have may dictate the style of hearing aid you wear, but not the brand. Some hearing losses are better suited to hearing aids that leave the ear more open, while others require closing the ear completely. Just because your neighbor loves his hearing aid, does not mean you will do well with the same style. If you have been in an office that tells you their brand of hearing aid is better than the others, I would get a second opinion. The best office is one that does not represent one, single brand, but rather works independently to find the best solutions.
Choose a patient-centered hearing care provider who will focus on you, your hearing loss, and your needs. Gardner Audiology audiologists will test your hearing, assess your lifestyle, needs, and budget, while offering personalized solutions. With more than 30 years in Citrus, Pasco, and Pinellas counties, you can depend on us. Call Gardner Audiology today at 1-800-277-1182.
