Hearing Solutions

What To Consider In Selecting A Hearing Device

A wide range of hearing problems can be helped with hearing aids, however, hearing devices alone will solve all of your communication needs.  Hearing devices do not restore perfect hearing and do not provide the same benefit to all users.

To be successful with hearing aids you need to have realistic expectations, to be fitted appropriately with the proper hearing devices for your hearing and lifestyle needs, and to be motivated to improve your communication abilities.

Many factors are considered when selecting the right hearing devices for you:  Lifestyle considerations to determine the specific benefits you need, shape and size that will be easy for you to use, and a cost to fit within  your budget.  Each factor must be addressed individually in order to select the best instrument for you.  We guide you in choosing the technology that gives you the benefit you are looking for, a size that is comfortable, easy to handle and cosmeticsally attractive, and a cost that is acceptable to you.

Lifestyle Considerations:  Hearing device technologies  vary in the amount of benefit they provide and the way in which they aid your hearing.  This is explained further on the Hearing Aid Pyramid (see below).

Overall Size:  Hearing devices come in a variety of shapes and sizes.  Some fit in the small recess behind the ear, some fit in the bowl portion of the ear, and others fit completely in the ear canal.  The newest design is with the loudspeaker (receiver) in the ear for better directed sound into your ear canal and an Open Fit to retain the natural resonances of your ear canal.

Cost:  The cost of a hearing device depends mostly on the technology inside the hearing device.  The more advanced, state-of-the-art technologies are more costly than the more basic designs.