The first step to choosing a hearing aid is to get your hearing tested. Once you have a hearing test you can begin the search for a hearing aid.
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- If you have a copy of your hearing test fax it to 1-877-433-3040 for a free consultation. (Be sure to put your name and phone number on the fax.)
- If you don’t have a copy of your hearing test call our support number at 1-877-704-4424 and we will walk you through the entire process!
Size
Physical size of open ear hearing aids falls into three categories mainly determined by the size battery used by the hearing aid. Hearing aids that use the size 10A battery are the smallest with a battery life of 4 to 7 days. The 312 battery in the next size larger with a life of 9 to 11 days. The largest battery is the size 13 with a life span of 15 to 18 days.
Size of the hearing aid will also have an effect on the power, directionality, and the features available. Larger physical size allows the engineers more room for electronic packages which usually equals more features.
Power
Open ear hearing aids can handle losses up to severe. Part of determining which hearing aid will work well for you is to get a hearing test and establish the amount of hearing loss you have.
Get a hearing test, make sure to get a copy of the results which is your audiogram. We can then help you choose a hearing aid that will be able to correct your hearing loss and have the features that fit your lifestyle.
Features
Features are evolving on hearing aids. Common features today include multiple memories where programs deal with common sound situations such as noise, music, crowds, etc that can be stored and accessed. Accessing the programs is usually done by pressing a button on the hearing aid or a remote control that works with the hearing aids. Volume control is also available on some models.
Now in development is BlueTooth capabilities to allow phone voice conversations to be wirelessly streamed to your hearing aids. This technology holds great promise for hearing impaired people to hear phone conversations much better and more comfortably.
Differences Between Models
Hearing aid manufacturers all seem to come out with a technology and then subdivide it. What was one new technology is now three, or more, slightly different models. Hearing aid amplifiers are basically computer chips that can be programed to perform tasks, some more sophisticated than others. For example, when a hearing aid manufacturer releases a new line of hearing aids they will typically come out with three models.
A safe way to look at these three models is economy, middle of the road, and top of the line expensive.
How much difference between the models? Most times it is slight enough to be very hard to see an improvement going up one model. It is easier to see the improvement going up two models. The same holds true with generations meaning when a manufacturer comes out with a new and improved hearing aid of the same model the difference is usually slight.
Price
Hearing aid pricing is determined by buying plans offered by the manufacturer. Most manufacturers have volume discounts so top selling models get better pricing.
The most expensive hearing aids are the latest released top technology. As mentioned above you may be able to get the latest technology but not the top model save money and get performance very close to that of the top model.
Although most people buy hearing aids in pairs not all do so hearing aids are priced per aid and are non-taxable.