Today’s society is overwhelmed with options for hearing aids, so how can you possibly determine which hearing aid is the best for you? Hearing aids should not be considered a commodity but rather a prosthetic device…a device that you will be incorporating into your daily life. Choosing hearing aids should be based on three major components: your hearing loss, hearing needs, and budget. At Gardner Audiology, we want to help you choose a hearing aid that best suits all three of these components.
First, choosing a hearing aid should be based on your hearing loss. Hearing aids are not one size fits all. They are programmed with a unique prescription that allows you to hear sounds at different levels (i.e., soft, medium, loud) and environments (i.e., library or restaurant). Without a hearing aid prescription, it is difficult to restore audibility to certain sounds to optimize your hearing aid benefit.
Second, choosing a hearing aid should be based on your hearing needs. What are “hearing needs?” The answer is simple, in which environment(s) are you struggling to hear? For example, are the acoustics from religious gatherings so overwhelming that you can’t understand the speaker? Does it seem like your significant other is mumbling? Does watching television seem impossible? Some people live active lifestyles and are in many different listening environments while others spend more time at home and around family.
Lastly, choosing a hearing aid should also be based on your budget. We strive to offer hearing aids at a wide range of price points to try to accommodate all different budgets. We feel it is important for you to trial hearing aids that fit your budget so that if you see marked improvement in hearing, then you will be comfortable purchasing the aids.
At Gardner Audiology, we understand that it is difficult to determine which hearing aid is the best for you. Therefore, we offer consultations at our Spring Hill, Zephyrhills, and Crystal River locations where you will work one-on-one with one of our doctors of audiology to find the best hearing aid for you. Interested in learning more? Please contact Gardner Audiology at 1-800-277-1182 or email info@gardneraudiology.com .
