Hearing loss affects more than 28 million people in the United States, especially for individuals older than the age of 65, according to the Merck Manuals. Hearing aids can help increase hearing in individuals who need assistance amplifying sounds in order to hear well. Although hearing aids do not completely restore hearing, the affected individual can experience an improvement in hearing. Several types of hearing aids are available, such as ones that hook over the outer ear, ones that fit in the outer portion of the ear and hearing aids that sit in the ear canal. The best hearing aid for an individual varies depending on the needs of the person using the device.
Step 1
Visit a physician to have hearing tested and the ears examined. A federal regulation prohibits selling hearing aids without a prescription, so this medical examination is necessary. The physician and audiologist can help determine the best type of hearing aid will be best for each individual depending on independent needs.
Step 2
Determine what the hearing aids need to achieve, such as the degree of amplification needed for the severity of the hearing loss. Some types of hearing aids will work better than others and some will feel more comfortable for the user to wear and handle.
Step 3
Decide if an analog or digital hearing aid will assist hearing better. Both types allow for changes by the audiologist to fine tune the amplification for each individual, but the digital option allows more flexibility in adjusting the hearing aid, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.
Step 4
Find out the price of the hearing aids. Most often, insurance companies do not cover the cost of hearing aids, according to the Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center. Hearing aids range in price from hundreds to thousands of dollars. Analog hearing aids tend to cost less than digital options.
Step 5
Ask about a trial period for testing the comfort and functionality of the hearing aids. Many companies will allow the user to return hearing aids during a specified trial period, but some fees may occur after the trial period ends.
Step 6
Avoid purchasing hearing aids by mail order or online without the assistance of an audiologist. The audiologist trains to assist in the entire process, including fit, follow-up care and support, notes the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
Step 7
Purchase a hearing aid for each ear if hearing loss occurs in both ears. The ears hear as a set and amplifying the sound in only one ear may distort the hearing. Using two hearing aids increases the positive outcome of wearing the devices.
References
- Merck Manuals: Hearing Loss and Deafness
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association: Hearing Aid Myths and Facts
- Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center: Hearing Aids and Other Assistive Devices: Where to Get Assistance
- National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders: Hearing Aids
