The Best Hearing Aids Are An Individual Choice

You may think that buying the ‘best’ hearing aid available, and probably the most expensive, ensures you are getting the ‘best’ one for you. It appears to be the right principle. So, what is wrong with the idea? What is ‘best’ for you may not necessarily be the most advanced or the most expensive. What is generally ‘best’, is to buy the hearing aid that most suits what you need and this depends on the kind of hearing loss you are suffering. Different types of hearing loss require different types of hearing aid. Some being more suitable for certain conditions than others. Here is some information on the different conditions and aid available. It may help you choose which one is really the ‘best’ for you.

Conductive Hearing Loss is one of the most common conditions. It is when the sound cannot travel from the outer ear to the inner ear. There are various reasons why this occurs. Sensorineural Hearing Loss is more serious than Conductive hearing Loss but it can be helped by a hearing aid. Problems with the nerves could be the cause. The signal from the inner ear cannot be passed to the brain. Mixed Hearing Loss is when someone is suffering from a combination of both these conditions.

The aids we are most familiar with are the BTE, a Behind the Ear and the ITE, an In The Ear. They amplify sounds and are suitable for most kinds of hearing loss. Analogue and Digital aids are available, the Analogue being the cheaper option. Today, the Digital is becoming more popular because of its superior sound quality and extra add-on features. More people are opting for extra features, dual microphone systems & channel selection, which allows the user to switch from one setting to another, depending on their environment.

Also available is the telecoil, this allows the hearing aid to be used with a telephone. Hearing Aids are available that can be surgically implanted, the whole unit or in part. They are designed for those with serious or chronic hearing loss and have their advantages, and disadvantages. It will not work if the middle ear is damaged and is designed for those suffering sensorineural hearing loss. If you think this option might be right for you, you should talk to a doctor.

The most recent design of hearing aid relies on a different kind of science. Earglasses sit behind the ear and do not incorporate any electronics at all, therefore, do not need a power supply. They work through the principals of Acoustics and can magnify sound up to twelve decibels. It amplifies sound in a similar kind of principle to when you cup your hand around your ear! It is not for those with serious hearing loss.

Remember that reputable suppliers of hearing aids offer a thirty or sixty day trial. This is a good idea because it gives you time to try the unit and make sure it really is the ’best’ for you.