If you are experiencing mild or profound haring loss or suspect that you need a hearing aid, your first step is to schedule a hearing aid evaluation with Life Hearing & Tinnitus Health Centers. During this evaluation, your hearing professional will ask questions about your symptoms (which can include tinnitus or dizziness), develop a case history to determine the impact your issues are having on your day-to-day life and ask questions related to your overall health.
Using that information and the results of your hearing tests, your audiologist will talk with you about what your expectations are from a hearing device. This may include the different environments you are consistently immersed in, hobbies you enjoy or just general aesthetics you prefer when it comes to your technology.
Styles of Hearing Aids
One important factor you will discuss when evaluating what hearing aids are right for you will be the different styles. There are several technology styles and even more subcategories within each, but three common types include:
- Behind the ear (BTE): Typically, the largest of the devices, BTE hearing aids are easy to handle and are suitable for individuals with mild-to-profound hearing loss.
- In the ear (ITE): More medium-sized, ITE devices are worn in the outer bowl of the ear and can be beneficial for people with mild-to-moderately-severe hearing loss and come in a variety of skin and hair tones.
- In the canal (ITC): The most discreet of devices, ITC hearing aids are recommended for mild-to-moderate hearing loss and provide a natural listening experience because of their location in the canal. These also come in completely-in-canal (CIC) and invisible-in-canal (IIC) varieties.
Hearing Aid Features
Another decision you will discuss with an audiologist is what features will most benefit your specific needs. Hearing aids can be equipped with different technologies based on the size of the device and the needs of the wearer. These features are designed to enrich your user experience, with the most common options being:
- Bluetooth
- Directional microphones
- Feedback reduction
- Multisettings
- Remote Access
- Memory programming
- Tinnitus masking
Selecting Your Devices
If you and your audiologist determine that a hearing aid for one or both ears is right for you, you will have the opportunity to see and touch different devices. The final decision is yours, but the professionals at Life Hearing & Tinnitus Health Centers are dedicated to helping you choose the best style based on your degree of hearing loss, lifestyle and financial circumstances.
Some styles of custom or behind-the-ear (BTE) devices require earmolds. Your hearing professional will take impressions of your ear in order to ensure the best fit. Your hearing aid will be ordered and programmed to meet your unique level of hearing loss. Please note: this process can take a few weeks and you may not receive your hearing aid on the same day that you are evaluated.