There are many factors your audiologist will consider when choosing a hearing aid for you. Although, according to a 2022 article published in the National Library of Medicine, “The degree of subjective and objective loss and patient choice are taken into account when deciding on a hearing aid,” there are other factors that go into this decision, as well. We review some of the questions you can ask your audiologist to help them select a hearing aid for you below.
Will I Need One Hearing Aid or Two?
For those with unilateral (single-sided) hearing loss, only one hearing aid will be necessary. That being said, most people with hearing loss have it in both ears, even if one ear can hear better than the other one. If this is the case for you, wearing two hearing aids will help you better localize sounds and make it so your brain can process sounds more naturally.
What Will My Hearing Aids Look Like?
To many people with hearing loss, the aesthetic of the device is very important. Though most want their hearing aids to be small, discreet and blend in, some prefer that they stand out while they’re browsing the Portland Saturday Market. Note that your degree of hearing loss will impact the size of your hearing aids. This is because smaller hearing aids offer less in terms of power and may not be suitable for more severe forms of hearing loss. Either way, you will still be able to choose a color that blends into your skin or hair if that’s what you prefer.
Can I Get Rechargeable Hearing Aids?
Hearing aids that take disposable button batteries are quickly becoming a thing of the past, as rechargeable hearing aids are becoming increasingly popular. Rather than having to swap out batteries every couple of days, with these devices, you can simply dock them on their charger overnight to benefit from a full day of hearing.
What Other Features Are Offered?
Those who are new to hearing aids may be unaware of the amazing features modern devices have to offer. In addition to rechargeability, other popular features available in today’s devices include Bluetooth® connectivity, background noise reduction, directional microphones, remote controls, geotagging, machine learning and much more!
For more information about the amazing features modern hearing aid have to offer or to schedule an appointment with a hearing aid expert, call PDX ENT today.
