How to Buy a Hearing Aid that Will Enhance Your Lifestyle

In most cases where a person feels a hearing aid is indicated it will often lead to a number of tests at a hearing aid dispenser. For a routine hearing loss the tests will include, among others, a plot of the response of each ear to both frequency and volume. Often a tiny camera will be inserted in the ear to demonstrate the existence of earwax and possibly scarring on the eardrum. The camera view itself is interesting but not particularly informative unless significant wax blockage is contributing to the hearing loss. The discussion often progresses into a sales pitch covering the benefits of multi-channel digital aids, aids for both ears, the configuration of the aids, digital signal processing, etc. In some cases the person buying the aid is asked how much of the cost of the aids their insurance will cover so that you can get the 'best aid possible for your allowance'.

As long as the prospective customer has anticipated this somewhat high pressure approach they will be in a better situation to ultimately purchase the aid(s) that they'll be satisfied with. To reach that goal there are several things that you can think through ahead of time so you're be better prepared to ask probing questions. It is sometimes easy to fall into the trap of forgetting the audiologist/dispenser is ultimately working for you and should be doing everything possible to insure your satisfaction. You should not be hesitant to ask questions freely.

This intent of this article is not to give advice on what type (analog/digital) of hearing aid will best resolve your hearing problem, whether you can benefit from one or two aids, and other issues related to your hearing test results. It also doesn't address the wide variety of digital signal processing features such as noise suppression, feedback cancellation, and speech enhancement. It is written to give you some topics to address with your dispenser so that you end up with a hearing aid that will fit in with your lifestyle rather then just being a hearing amplifier that often sits on your dresser because you find it doesn't fit your needs and lifestyle or is uncomfortable.