Hearing loss can be a very devastating occurrence for anyone, and there are many cases where early detection and treatment can be the best alternative to winding up with a severe case of deafness. No matter your age, there are certain factors and symptoms that you may want to look out for along the way, as there are a great many devices available to the hearing impaired today that are nearly undetectable to the naked eye and can restore you confidence in your hearing and your comprehension.

The world’s leading hearing aid companies are consistently on the move, generating new technologies in smaller and more discreet sizes, making this subject far less taboo than ever before. (more…)

Hearing aids are electroacoustic devices that are worn on a person’s body and help a person amplify or modulate sound. When this invention first hit the market in the 20th century, it was a vast improvement over hear trumpets or horns, which were basically funnels that help gather “sound energy.” These new devices capitalized on new technology.

The first designs for hearing aids were worn on the body and included a cord, case and ear mold. Behind the ear aids later came out and these were much smaller than the first design. To this day, this basic model is used. Many consider these the most advantageous type of hearing aid because of their durability. Because these pieces are actually located outside the ear, this reduces production of earwax and moisture. (more…)

Bluetooth is a wireless technology that connects electronic devices to transfer information. For hearing aids this means that you can finally connect directly with your cell phone, television, computer, iPod, or any other Bluetooth enabled device. This means that you can hear your TV or cell phone as if you were directly wired to them without any sort of background interference. While its not a necessary option, it is very nice and extremely convenient – especially in the car.

The connection is accomplished by using a another piece of equipment to link the cellphone to the hearing aids. These devices are generally worn around the neck, but a few manufacturers have designed devices that you can carry in your pocket. The device that you wear around your neck has a microphone in it so that you can talk on the phone. The wire around your neck is what sends the sound to the hearing aid.

Depending on your lifestyle, Bluetooth may be a great option for you. If you talk on your cell phone a lot, it will be a great option for you. If you don’t need Bluetooth for the cellphone, you probably don’t need it for other things like TV or iPods. For many patients the extra equipment is a little overwhelming and many do well on the TV and Cell phone without Bluetooth. Bluetooth is simply for connection to other devices only and doesnt make the hearing aids any louder, but it is a nice convenience factor if you spend a lot of time on the cell phone.

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Hearing Aids have advanced tremendously even since just a few years ago and there are even more options now than ever! How do you know which ones are the best though? Your friend told you that they love their hearing aid, but the office you went to suggested another type and another one of your friends is wearing yet a different type altogether. If you go to the manufacturer’s websites they willl all claim that theirs is the best.

With so many different opinions, it’s difficult for you to decide what to buy. The best hearing instrument for you is one that is within your budget, helps you hear as well as possible, and is comfortable to wear. Brands and technology don’t matter as much as your own preferences. If a hearing aid has the most amazing technology available, but you won’t wear it because it looks horrible or you can’t stand the way it sounds, that hearing aid is no good for you! If you can’t afford it, then it’s no good either. A hearing professional will guide you to the hearing device that best meets your hearing needs and fits within your lifestyle.

The real decision is not what hearing aid to buy, but where to buy it. There are 4 types of places where you can buy hearing instruments: Private Practice Hearing Professionals (Audiologists and Hearing Aid Specialists), Online companies such as AidRight.com, ENT Physicians, and Chain stores like Miracle Ear and Beltone.

Private Practice Hearing Professionals:
1. Usually they are the best trained and most experienced.
2. They generally carry a wide variety of hearing aids from different manufacturers.
3. Prices are more reasonable as a rule.
4. More customer service oriented, you are usually dealing with the owner.

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In every profession there are, unfortunately, people who will try to take advantage and rip you off. While the vast majority of the professionals in the hearing aid world are fantastic, there are always exceptions to the rule. Below are five ways that you can do so that you can avoid getting ripped off:

1) Overpaying. This is probably the most common mistake. We have heard the horror stories of people paying $8,000 or more for a pair of hearing aids. One of the ways you can avoid this, is to simply tell the specialist that you want to think about hearing aids before you buy them and then go shopping around. They shouldn’t have a problem with you doing that. Ask them for how much they will sell you the aid and what’s included such as warranty, return privilege, return fees, loss and damage fees, service fees, etc. Be specific as to the make and model so you can make certain you’re comparing apples to apples.

2) Buying More Hearing Aid Than Necessary – Some offices only seem to tell you about the latest, most advanced hearing devices on the market. They don’t mention that in many cases these products are more hearing instrument technology than you really need. Sometimes your lifestyle or hearing loss is such that you will not benefit any more from the most advanced hearing aid circuitry than something less advanced. Most offices allow trial periods on hearing devices. Unless you just know you want the top of the line, try hearing aids a step or two down first. Then, if you feel you still need more help, you can upgrade. Make sure they give you a new trial period!

3) Not Buying a Good Enough Hearing Aid – Just as buying top of line is not always best, buying a bottom of line hearing aid can also be a mistake. Often it would be well worth a couple of hundred dollars extra to buy a hearing aid more suitable to your needs. It will make your hearing aid experience, and your life, much better.

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