Hearing Aids

Hearing aids can help people with hearing loss communicate and hear better, making it easier to interact in social situations and enjoy every day activities. A hearing aid is an electronic, battery-operated device that amplifies sounds. A hearing aid receives sound through a microphone and converts the sound waves into electrical signals. The device then amplifies the sounds and sends the sound into the ear through a speaker. Hearing aids benefit individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss and can be used by people of all ages including children, teens, and adults.

 

Types of Hearing Aids
There are many different types of hearing aids and each offers a person different features and advantages depending on the degree of hearing loss. Hearing aids come in different designs, sizes, and amplifications, and a doctor can help a person with hearing loss determine which hearing aid is best for his or her specific condition.

  • Behind the Ear Hearing Aids: Behind the ear hearing aids are connected to a plastic ear mold that fits inside the outer hear. The hearing aid components sit in a case behind the ear. These hearing aids work by transferring sounds through the ear mold into a person’s ear. Behind the ear hearing aids are durably designed, appropriate for people of all ages, and offer good amplification for people with mild or even advanced hearing loss.
  • In the Ear Hearing Aids: These hearing aids fit inside the outer ear and are appropriate for people with mild to severe hearing loss. The hearing aid case holds the device components and can accommodate technical mechanisms such as a telecoil (a small magnetic coil that improves sound transmission from telephone calls). In the ear hearing aids are smaller than behind the ear hearing aids and may not be best for children.
  • Canal Hearing Aids: Canal Hearing aids fit inside the ear canal and are customized to fit the shape and size of the ear. A canal hearing aid is usually concealed in the ear canal. These aids are small, are not capable of large amounts of sound amplification, and are best for mild or moderate hearing loss.
  • Body Hearing Aids: Body aids are appropriate for individuals with severe hearing loss because of their ability to loudly amplify sounds. A body hearing aid is attached to a person’s belt or held in the pocket. The device is connected to the ear by a wire. The device is able to incorporate many sound waves and process many sounds of different amplifications.

 

How to Choose a Hearing Aid

Before a person chooses a hearing aid, he or she should consult a doctor or audiologist about the various advantages of different types of hearing aids. The doctor should also be able to determine a person’s level of hearing loss and assist the person in choosing an appropriate hearing aid.

There are a number of factors that will help a person choose the best hearing aid to fit his or her specific condition and life style. These factors include:

  • The person’s age
  • Level of hearing loss
  • Lifestyle

 

A person who is choosing a hearing aid should also take into consideration any optional surgical or medical corrections for their hearing loss, the total cost for the hearing aid, and warranties for the hearing aid. Many people choose hearing aids with a trial period to see how well the hearing aids assists them and how the hearing aid fits into his or her life.

 

Hearing Aid Costs

Hearing aid price vary depending on the style, electronic features, and a person’s insurance plan. Hearing aid prices can range from several hundred dollars to more than $2,500 for a digital hearing aid. Some insurance plans may not cover the hearing aid, but may cover the cost of hearing evaluation.

While hearing aids may be expensive, a person should also consider the product reliability and warranty for the hearing aid. A person should consult his or her audiologist to discuss what type of hearing aid is appropriate for his or her condition and the costs of hearing aids.