Compare hearing aids: Types, Features, and Styles Explained
Hearing loss affects around one in six Australians and while hearing aids won’t restore hearing, they can provide an effective hearing loss treatment. Despite this, many Australians who own hearing aids don’t wear them. This could be down to the perception that wearing a hearing aid can make you appear older. But for many people, it’s because their hearing aids are not fitted correctly or don’t have the right features for their specific needs.
Comparing hearing aids before you buy them will help to ensure that your new hearing aids suit your hearing needs while also containing the features you want.
Types of hearing aids
Behind the ear (BTE)
Receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aids
In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids
In-the-canal (ITC) hearing aids
Invisible-in-the-canal (IIC) hearing aids are also available and these are the smallest type of hearing aid. They fit entirely inside the ear canal and are almost invisible.
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It's time to finally treat your hearing loss. Sign up for a free consultation with a licensed hearing care professional today to determine if you have hearing loss. It’s the start of your journey towards better hearing.
EarPros benefits:
- Free no obligation hearing test
- best partner with more than 1.000 stores
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Comfort and performance
The most crucial aspect of choosing your hearing aids is how well the hearing aids improve your hearing. Once that has been determined, comfort is your next major consideration. You will ideally be wearing your hearing aids all day, every day. They, therefore, need to be comfortable and fit correctly. Otherwise, you will be less likely to use them.
Hearing aid features
If you are happy with the feel and performance of a hearing aid, the next step is to explore the additional features the hearing aid can offer. While a hearing aid can improve your hearing, certain features can make life with hearing aids even better. However, you should focus on choosing a hearing aid with features that you will use. After all, there’s simply no point paying extra for features you won’t use.
How to compare hearing aids
The only way to really compare hearing aids is to try them on. Most hearing care professionals will have demonstration models you can try, even at home. A good way to compare hearing aids is to:
- Listen to the voice of a friend or family member
- Play with the hearing aid controls
- Try opening the battery compartment
- Use the hearing aid with your phone
- Find out about accessories
Listen to the voice of friends or family members
Play with the hearing controls
Try opening the battery compartment
How often you need to change hearing aid batteries will largely depend on how often you use the device. However, it’s common for hearing aid batteries to require changing every 5 to 7 days. Find out how long the batteries will last before they need replacing and how much the batteries cost. It’s worth knowing whether the hearing aid you have chosen will require you to replace the batteries more often than others or whether their batteries are particularly expensive.
If you have opted for a smaller hearing aid, then you may find it more difficult to replace the batteries. If you have any problems with dexterity or your vision, then you may wish to choose a larger hearing id style or one that has built-in rechargeable batteries.
Use the hearing aid with your phone
Find out about accessories
Take your hearing aids on a trial run
The key to comparing hearing aids is to wear them and try them for a few days. If you are offered a trial period by your hearing care professional then make sure you take advantage of this offer. It can take a little time to adjust to hearing with a hearing aid. That’s why taking them home for a short while can be so beneficial. It will help you to determine whether you have chosen the right model and style of hearing aid and whether there are any additional features that you will use.
When you first hear with a hearing aid, sounds may appear louder than you expect. This may feel strange initially, but you should soon adapt to the new heightened sounds. You may have been experiencing hearing loss for longer than you realised and hadn’t noticed the sounds you were missing out on. Using hearing aids will bring all those sounds back to you which could feel a little overwhelming at first. But you will soon get used to it and before long will be enjoying the world of sounds around you.
Hearing aid comparison checklist
Hearing aids are an important investment both financially and for your hearing health. Before you decide on which hearings aids will be the ones you choose, there are 10 questions to ask to help you compare hearing aids:
- Are the hearing aids water-resistant?
- What warranty comes with the hearing aid?
- What’s the lifespan of the hearing aids?
- How should I clean the hearing aids?
- What extra features are available with this hearing aid?
- What type of batteries are required and how long will they last?
- How much do replacement batteries cost?
- How hard-wearing is this hearing aid?
- Is there any finance available with this hearing aid?
- Will the hearing aid needs professional cleaning or returning in the future and what’s the cost for this?
Whatever your degree of hearing loss and lifestyle needs, by taking the time to compare hearing aids you will be able to find the best hearing aids for you.
With you on your journey to better hearing.
It's time to finally treat your hearing loss. Sign up for a free consultation with a licensed hearing care professional today to determine if you have hearing loss. It’s the start of your journey towards better hearing.
EarPros benefits:
- Free no obligation hearing test
- best partner with more than 1.000 stores
