Find the Best Hearing Aid for Your Unique Type of Hearing Loss
Hearing assistance technology is evolving rapidly. Many kinds of hearing aids are available — from entirely invisible aids that sit in the ear canal to behind-the-ear types packed with the latest features. Some of the latest features include bluetooth wireless connectivity and artificial intelligence options.
Hearing aids cannot cure hearing loss, but they will intensify the sounds you need to help improve your hearing and they will help to reduce background noise. By reducing background noise, hearing aids assist the hearing system to focus on those sounds and voices that you want to hear. Here is a guide to some of the most common hearing aid types.
What to Consider When Choosing a Hearing Aid
No two cases of hearing loss are exactly alike. Everyone experiences sound differently and choosing the best hearing aid depends on your unique type of hearing loss, lifestyle, budget and preferences. While there are several different levels of technology on the market, hearing aids typically fall into one of four categories: basic, standard, advanced and premium.
- Basic hearing aids are best for mild-to-moderate hearing loss and tend to be the most affordable option. These devices provide basic sound amplification without any extra features and technology.
- Standard hearing aids offer slightly more advanced sound quality and noise reduction. These are a good option for people who occasionally struggle with background noise.
- Advanced hearing aids are best suited for those who live a more active lifestyle. These are generally better designed for life on the go and typically come equipped with Bluetooth capabilities.
- Premium hearing aids provide the most dynamic sound experience in a variety of environments. They come with the most features and most advanced technology.
The best way to find the right level of technology for your needs is to schedule a hearing evaluation. This allows your provider to get to the root of your hearing loss symptoms and recommend the best hearing aid for your needs and preferences.
Types of Hearing Aid Technology
Rechargeable batteries
The advent of Lithium-ion technology (sometimes referred to as the Li-on) has been a game-changer in the world of rechargeable batteries. These are based on the battery type used in cell phones, which have more reliable power than other rechargeable batteries. Starkey Hearing Technologies has the only custom rechargeable hearing aid on the market at this time.
There are several advantages to buying a hearing aid with a lithium-ion rechargeable battery option:
- Best For Limited Dexterity: Those with limited dexterity don”t need to change batteries every week.
- Convenient: Rechargeable batteries will give you a full day of power with an overnight charge. Just like charging your phone – you place it in the charger before going to bed, and when you wake up in the morning, you”ll have a full-power charge.
- Long-Lasting: The rechargeable battery lasts a long time, often for the life of the hearing aid itself.
Direct Bluetooth connectivity
Hearing aids with Bluetooth connectivity have been around for a while, but require a standalone streamer to help you connect. That has all changed with ”Made for iPhone” and ”Made for any phone” hearing aids. Hearing aids can now directly connect to your computer, TV, music players, and any other Bluetooth-enabled device.
Smartphone Connectivity and Apps
Hearing aids that offer Bluetooth typically come with smartphone compatibility. This feature allows you to stream calls and audio from your smartphone directly to your hearing aids. Smartphone compatible technology transforms your hearing aids into headphones, making them a great choice for hands-free phone calls.
Many hearing aid manufacturers offer smartphone apps that sync with your hearing devices. If you’re constantly moving from one environment to the next, apps can make adjusting your settings a breeze. Typically, they allow you to discreetly adjust the volume, save sound settings for specific situations and some even offer sound therapy for tinnitus.
Water-Resistant Hearing Aids
Hearing aids work best when they are clean and dry, as moisture can damage the sensitive electronic components of a device. Sweat, humidity and rainy weather can impact your hearing aids’ performance, but luckily, technology has evolved to help make them more resilient against water damage.
Most hearing aids that offer protection from moisture are water-resistant, but not 100% waterproof. Despite not being truly waterproof, water-resistant devices can still dramatically lower the chance of damage when exposed to small amounts of moisture. They are excellent choices for people who enjoy water-related hobbies like fishing, live in humid climates or who tend to sweat more heavily.
Hearing aids are given IP ratings to determine their resistance to dust and water. When evaluating hearing aids, talk with your provider about your lifestyle and habits. They will be able to help you choose a device with the best IP rating to suit your needs.
Additional Hearing Technology Features and Benefits
Sleek, Discreet Design
People often assume hearing aids are cumbersome and clunky, but thanks to technological advancements, even many high-powered, outside-the-ear devices are sleek and hard to notice. A number of the industry’s top manufacturers offer invisible-in-canal (IIC) devices that are virtually undetectable and custom-molded to fit your ear anatomy. Though they provide exceptional sound quality, IIC devices are usually only recommended for those with mild to moderate hearing loss.
Enhanced Speech Comprehension and Sound Quality
Today’s hearing aids don’t just amplify sound, they provide an immersive listening experience as close to natural hearing as possible. As technology has evolved, hearing devices have gotten better at differentiating speech from background noise, ensuring those with hearing loss don’t miss out on moments of connection with others. Many hearing aids offer various settings that can adjust depending on the wearer’s surroundings.
Tinnitus Masking Features
If you struggle with tinnitus symptoms, a number of hearing aids offer features that can help mask ringing, buzzing and clicking sounds in the ears. These masking features are known as tinnitus sound generators (TSG) and they work by emitting a soft, white noise that can partially or completely mask tinnitus symptoms. As we mentioned above, many manufacturers also offer apps that provide sound therapy for tinnitus.