I am often asked, what is the best hearing aid? There really is not one single answer to this question as there are many factors at play. I will explain some of the things to consider, but remember, an in-person appointment is the best way to get personized answers!
Let’s start with brand. There are 6 major worldwide manufacturers, really 5 if you consider two are owned by the same parent company. There is not one brand that is better than the others as they all put out high-quality products. Sometimes one manufacturer may have a feature that is better suited to your needs. Your audiology team can help guide you.
Next factor to consider is style. Some hearing aids fit behind the ear and some fit within the ear. Depending on your hearing loss and lifestyle, one style might be better suited for you. If you have normal or near normal hearing in the low-pitched sounds, leaving your ear more open will sound more natural than plugging your ear up. If you use oxygen all the time, wearing a hearing aid behind your ear might be competing for space with your glasses and your oxygen. If you have a very severe hearing loss, you might not get enough power from a tiny hearing aid that fits inside your ear canal. Again, your audiology team can provide guidance and recommendations.
Now for the big one. Choose a hearing aid that is appropriate for your lifestyle. Hearing aid manufacturers tend to have 4 different levels of technology offered. An entry level hearing aid is very basic and does not help with background noise. It is best suited for someone who lives a very quiet lifestyle. There are usually 3 levels with noise management. One with a minimal amount of noise management, one with moderate noise management, and the top with the most aggressive noise management. As you go up in technology level, and cost, the noise management improves, and there is more flexibility in adjusting the hearing aids to your specific hearing loss. If you live an active lifestyle and enjoy restaurants, parties, the clubhouse, and family gatherings, choose the best technology that fits your budget. You will never regret having extra noise management, but you absolutely can regret not having it!
Our Audiology Doctor Teams will look in your ears, test your hearing, discuss your lifestlye, and recommend the best option to improve your hearing and the quality of your life. Call Gardner Audiology today at 813-782-5395 to schedule an appointment at our Zephyrhills location, or any of our 7 other offices. You can also schedule online at www.gardneraudiology.com
