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About 37.5 million adults in the United States have hearing loss to some degree and would benefit from wearing hearing aids, but only 1 in 5 does so.
Hearing aids are small electronic devices that are worn in or behind the ear by people with hearing loss. Their job is to amplify specific sounds helping their wearer hear and communicate with others better. Hearing aids can help people hear better both in quiet and noisy environments, depending on their specific needs.
While there is a large range of different designs, almost all types of hearing aids function on the same basic principle. The hearing aid’s microphone picks up sound waves, converts them to electrical signals, and sends them to an amplifier. The amplifier then processes, boosts, and modifies the power of these signals and passes them on to a tiny receiver in the ear.
Depending on the characteristics of your hearing loss, your ear, nose, and throat doctor (ENT) or audiology professional will recommend the right type of hearing aid for your needs.
A BTE hearing aid has two parts: the main part hooks over your ear and sits behind your auricle. A thin, clear tube connects it to a plastic earmold that fits inside the outer ear. The earpiece itself can be custom molded, but many people now use small pre-made eartips that fit very comfortably.
The receiver-in-canal (RIC) and receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) styles are similar to a behind-the-ear hearing aid with the speaker or receiver that sits in the ear canal. A tiny wire, rather than tubing, connects the piece behind the ear to the speaker or receiver. This style of hearing aid usually has a less visible behind-the-ear portion and may be available with a rechargeable battery.
A completely-in-the-canal or invisible-in-the-canal (IIC) aid sits deeper inside the ear canal, making it nearly or entirely invisible. They are made to fit the size and shape of a person’s ear canal and are the most discreet kind of hearing aid. Because of their small size, they may be difficult for a person to adjust and remove. Their compact form also means less space for additional features such as volume control or extra microphones.
An in the ear/canal (ITE/ITC) aid sits completely within your outer ear (ITE) or just inside your ear canal (ITC). As these styles are larger than CIC/ICC hearing aids, they can include practical features and are available with directional microphones (two microphones for better hearing in noise). ITE hearing aids usually include larger batteries and can be easier to handle.
Before getting your hearing aid, the first thing you need is a thorough hearing test and evaluation from a qualified hearing healthcare professional. They will also explain the differences between hearing aid styles and recommend which type might fit your lifestyle best. Hearing tests are easy and painless, and covered by most health insurance companies. Many online hearing aid retailers also include a free hearing test in their offer, so be sure to shop around.
Unlike a hearing test, hearing aids are generally not covered by health insurance companies, leaving you to cover the cost. Hearing aid prices can vary significantly from retailer to retailer and range from just a few hundred dollars to well over $2000. Professional fees, remote controls, hearing aid accessories, and other hearing aid options may cost extra. Talk to your audiologist about your needs and expectations, and make sure that you understand which features are important to you and fit your budget. Almost all online hearing aid retailers offer comfortable payment plans to fit your financial needs.
Hearing aids can be a major investment, so make sure to purchase one that comes with a risk-free trial of at least 30 days, as well as a manufacturer’s warranty. Retailers will usually credit the cost of the trial toward the final price of the hearing aid. Also, ask how much is refundable if you return the hearing aid during the trial period.
Make sure your hearing aid includes a warranty that covers parts and labor for a specified period. Some hearing aid dispensers may include office visits or professional services such as cleanings and adjustments in the warranty.
Modern hearing aids, especially higher-end models, can come with a wide array of additional accessories such as remote controls, replaceable batteries, custom ear tips, cleaning tools, and many more. While some of these accessories are simply nice to have, others can make life with your new hearing aid considerably more comfortable.
Directional microphones help to improve the pickup of sounds and are most effective in noisy environments, allowing their wearer to focus on sounds from a specific direction without the distraction of background noise. Adaptive directional microphones can automatically focus on speech and sound coming from different directions giving their wearer the freedom to move between environments with varying noise levels comfortably.
All modern hearing aids have noise reduction features available. The degree of noise reduction will depend on the model of your hearing aid, with more expensive devices offering more advanced reduction. Some hearing aids also offer wind noise reduction.
Higher-end hearing aids have rechargeable batteries, making maintenance easier for you by eliminating the need to regularly change the battery.
Some modern hearing aids can wirelessly connect with your smartphone devices so you can stream calls and audio from your phone to your hearing aids. They also connect to hearing aid apps allowing you to adjust your sound settings discreetly.
Hearing aids can be expensive, and while not usually covered by insurance or Medicare, it’s possible to find ones that work for you and ways to cover the costs. We’ve broken down the top choices to help you make the right decision and find the best hearing aid for your needs.
Check out our in-depth reviews for more details.
Jabra Enhance offers custom hearing aid solutions based on the results of an online hearing test. There’s one model available in rechargeable and battery-powered forms, and your devices will be personalized before being posted out to you.
One standout here is the level of ongoing customer care that’s available. In addition to a 3-year warranty, all users will benefit from 3 years of free technical support from the Jabra Enhance team. There’s a great selection of accessories to add to your experience, a tidy mobile app, and a range of other features that makes Jabra Enhance stand out as one of the best hearing aid providers we’ve seen.
Hear.com is one of the top licensed hearing aid distributors and manufacturers in the U.S. They partner with the top 2% of hearing specialists and audiologists across the country, which means you will have access to first-class, convenient care near your home. The company will connect you with your local specialist who will help identify the best hearing aids for your needs.
Virtual care from the comfort of home is also available in some states. Hear.com has a great reputation and offers numerous devices for all levels of hearing loss. Their own hearing aid, the hear.com Horizon Go, has become one of the most popular rechargeable hearing aids on the market today. The entire process is straightforward and guided by their knowledgeable and supportive care specialists.
Oticon is a premium hearing aid manufacturer that makes dozens of different models for every type of hearing impairment. The company’s cutting-edge models use deep learning to minimize noise and improve conversation clarity, and most Oticon hearing aids can be controlled with your smartphone. In addition, Oticon offers hearing aids for children and one-sided hearing loss.
To purchase Oticon hearing aids, you’ll need to visit a local audiologist who sells Oticon products. The company has thousands of dealers across the country, which also means that you can get local support anytime you need it.
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