{"id":363,"date":"2018-07-23T20:33:49","date_gmt":"2018-07-23T20:33:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pdxent.com\/?page_id=363"},"modified":"2021-11-18T21:47:05","modified_gmt":"2021-11-18T21:47:05","slug":"choosing-a-hearing-aid","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/pdxent.com\/audiology\/hearing-aids\/choosing-a-hearing-aid\/","title":{"rendered":"Choosing a Hearing Aid"},"content":{"rendered":"
If you are experiencing hearing loss, odds are good that you\u2019ll benefit from a hearing aid. But choosing the right one is no simple task. Today\u2019s hearing aids are smaller and more feature-packed than their predecessors, offering an array of options.<\/p>\n
Narrowing the choices down can be tough, but there are a few important things you should take into consideration before choosing a hearing aid.<\/p>\n
First, you\u2019ll need to have an audiologist assess your hearing loss<\/a>. Severity is measured in degrees, based upon your hearing loss range in decibels. It ranges from normal (-10 to 15 dB) to profound (91+ dB), with a total of seven different degrees.<\/p>\n Equally important is the frequency of your hearing loss. Conductive hearing loss resulting from damage to the outer or middle ear affects low frequency sounds, while sensorineural hearing loss<\/a>, in which damage occurs to the inner ear, results in a loss of high frequency sounds.<\/p>\n You\u2019ll need to choose a hearing aid that targets the frequencies you have trouble comprehending.<\/p>\n Functionality is an important consideration. With so many available features, you\u2019ll need to decide which ones matter most to you. Popular features include:<\/p>\n Extra features cost money, so speak with your audiologist to get an idea about the pros and cons of these features.<\/p>\n You\u2019ll also have to take into account your lifestyle needs. Whether you enjoy quiet, intimate gatherings with a few close friends<\/a> or an active outdoors lifestyle that includes a lot of background noise, there is a hearing aid designed specifically for your activity level.<\/p>\n Cosmetic preference is a key factor in choosing a hearing aid. Since you\u2019ll be wearing it every day, it\u2019s got to not only feel good but appeal to your confidence.<\/p>\nWhat Are Your Lifestyle Needs?<\/h2>\n
\n
What Is Your Cosmetic Preference?<\/h2>\n