Hearing Aids - How to buy the right one

There are some people who have a hearing problem and they cannot hear clearly. Many times, there's nothing wrong with their ears in particular, it is just that the sound is not reaching the brain correctly or with enough volume. The ear isn't damaged but there's only a problem at the higher levels of hearing.

If this is your case then you need to go and see a specialist so you can be fitted with a hearing aid. However, today there are many technological advances that make this simple process much easier than before. They also come in many types and so finding one that suits your needs shouldn't be too difficult.

This article will look at different types of aid available on the market and how to find the right one for you or your loved ones. We'll talk about other things you'll need to consider when choosing one as well as going over what to expect from each type of aid available on the market today!

Assess Your Own Hearing Problem -  It's important to realise that if you are struggling with just understanding conversations, having a hard time hearing people speak, or constantly asking people to repeat themselves or turn up the volume then you need a hearing aid. 

Visit an audiologist  -  When you first become aware that you have a hearing problem, it's a good idea to visit an audiologist. They will be able to assess your hearing problem and make a recommendation on how to treat it. It's just important to remember that hearing aids are basically amplifiers, they only increase volume. Therefore, if you have an ear problem, you may still have a problem even with a hearing aid. A hearing test is the first step to understanding your hearing problem and why a hearing aid is needed. 

Types of Hearing Aids - There are several types of hearing aid available on the market today. Many are based upon the lifestyle of the user, others on features and design. Here is a brief on some of them:

• Digital Hearing Aids -  these contain a digital circuit and are very advanced. They amplify sound very precisely and they have features like noise reduction and directional microphones. They can be controlled by a remote control and you can customise the volume and programs. They're also very compact and often require less maintenance than analog hearing aids.
•  Analog Hearing Aids - These have a much simpler circuit. They are also a lot cheaper and more compact. However, they cannot perform the same range of functions that digital aids can. They are usually available in a range of colours and come with a range of features (such as directional microphones, feedback reduction and volume control). 
• Behind-the-Ear Hearing Aids - these fit behind the ear. They are quite large in size; however, these are among the most discreet hearing aids available. They use your own ear canal as a resonator and are so discreet that very few people will notice you are wearing them. However, they can produce a lot of feedback and may need some getting used to.
• In-the-Ear Hearing Aids - these fit directly into the ear. They are very small and discreet. However, they don't tend to perform as well in noisy environments as other hearing aids. They are also more expensive and may need some getting used to.

Hearing Aid Features - As you'll see, hearing aids are  complex devices and come with many features. Here are a few of the features they offer:

• Programmability - This allows the user to control the aid and to specifically customise the sound according to their needs.
• Memory - This allows the user to store and recall settings according to the environment they are in. 
• Menu options - Allow the user to fine tune the aid according to the setting. 
• Telecoils - Allows the user to use the phone without feedback and to amplify audio automatically. 
• Noise reduction - Usually consists of noise reduction algorithms that can filter out background noise and amplify only speech. 

The hearing industry has been and continues to be a highly regulated industry  and hearing aids are no exception to this. Every device has been certified and verified once it has been put on the market. Each country has its own regulations and these may slightly differ from country to country. However, all fall under the same umbrella. When it comes to the actual fitting of the device, it is usually done by an audiologist. The hearing aid is moulded to the shape of the ear canal, so it needs to be measured and moulded correctly. This needs to occur once, so it's a good idea to wear the hearing aid for about two weeks before you make a decision. This way, the audiologist can ensure that it is the correct fit for your ear.