If you are getting hearing aids for the first time, you might be surprised how many different options there are and how many features newer models have. Let’s examine how hearing aids work and how to decide what kind is best for you.
Hearing Aid Basics
Hearing aids have five basic components which include a microphone, amplifier, speaker, battery and computer processor.
They work by receiving sounds through a microphone which are then adjusted to meet your specific needs by the computer processor. These sounds are processed and sent to the amplifier as electrical signals. The amplifier increases the power of these signals and sends them to the ear via the speaker.
Hearing aids are powered by either disposable zinc-air batteries or rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, depending on the model you have.
Deciding What Hearing Aid is Best for You
Deciding what hearing aid works best for you comes down to the severity of your hearing loss and your preferences for the following:
- Style: There are several different styles of hearing aids including Behind-the-ear (BTE), In-the-ear (ITE) In-the-canal (ITC), and Completely-in-canal (CIC). The right choice for you will depend on how small you want your device to be, how comfortable you are with objects in your ear canal and how severe your hearing loss is.
- Technology: Do you want to stream phone calls or music directly into your hearing aids? Is it important that the pair you select can minimize wind noise since you spend a lot of time outdoors? These questions and more can help inform your decision.
- Convenience: If you don’t like the thought of carrying around disposable batteries for your device, you might find rechargeable hearing aids to be a preferable choice.
Enjoy All the Benefits Hearing Aids Have to Offer
Regardless of what pair you and your audiologist ultimately decide on, being proactive in treating your hearing loss has numerous benefits. Some of which include:
- Better physical health
- Lower levels of anxiety and depression
- Decreased risk of cognitive decline and dementia
- Improved confidence in your ability to communicate with others, even in louder environments like Green Light Social.
- Stronger relationships with others
To learn more or to schedule an appointment with a hearing aid specialist, contact Victory Hearing & Balance today.