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What to Look for in Hearing Aids

Memorial Village Sinus and Hearing Blog What to Look for in Hearing Aids
What to Look for in Hearing Aids

Wearing hearing aids can provide many benefits, including reduced feelings of depression and reduced risk of falls. Choosing the right hearing aid can improve your quality of life, but with so many options available, it’s easy to become overwhelmed.

Don’t let decision fatigue keep you from addressing your hearing loss. The Memorial Village Sinus and Hearing team makes the process as smooth as possible for you. 

Dr. Mary "Marty" Lippeatt and Dr. Conrad McCutcheon partner together to provide everything you need, including a diagnostic hearing evaluation, a medical evaluation to diagnose the cause of the hearing loss, and, if needed, hearing aid selection and fitting.

As an expert audiologist, Dr. Lippeatt is well-versed in recommending the right type of hearing aid for you, so you never have to worry about navigating this decision on your own. Here are some key factors to consider when selecting hearing aids to ensure you find the best fit for your needs.

Look for the style that’s right for you

Hearing aids come in various styles, and each one has its own set of advantages. Choose a style that matches your level of hearing loss, comfort, and lifestyle needs. Keep these styles in mind as you start to think about the hearing aids that are right for you. 

Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids

You wear these behind your ear, and they’re suitable for all types of hearing loss. The parts are housed in durable casing, and because of their size, they’re easy to handle.

Even though the microphone and amplifier sit behind your ear, the receiver may sit in your ear canal. You might see this referred to as “receiver in canal” or RIC.

In the ear (ITE) or in the canal (ITC)

These fit completely inside your outer ear and are suitable for mild to severe hearing loss. Because they fit in your ear, they’re less visible than BTE hearing aids.

Completely in the canal (CIC)

This option is the most invisible, and while they’re discreet, they may be more difficult to handle and adjust. To remove and adjust them, you use a tiny handle.

Investigate technology options

In addition to the style of your hearing aid, you also need to look into technology features. Modern hearing aids come with a range of technological features designed to enhance your hearing experience.

This includes:

If you’re not sure what technology options you need or want, Dr. Lippeatt is happy to explain all of your options.

Understand sound quality 

The primary purpose of your new hearing aid is to improve your ability to understand speech. 

You may want to look for hearing aids that offer background noise reduction. This helps minimize environmental sound, so speech sounds are audible and more easily understood. Hearing aids with background noise reduction increase your ability to understand what someone is saying to you.

You might also consider frequency response. This determines how well your hearing aid amplifies different pitches. Dr. Lippeatt can make sure your device covers the frequency range most important for your hearing loss.

Explore comfort and fit

A hearing aid should be comfortable to wear for extended periods. Make sure your device fits well and doesn’t cause irritation or discomfort. Custom-fitted hearing aids molded to your ear shape typically offer the best comfort.

In addition to comfort and fit, consider how easy your hearing aids are to operate. Look for user-friendly controls, straightforward connectivity options, and accessible battery compartments. If you have dexterity issues, larger models with simple controls might be preferable.

Consider cost and insurance coverage

Hearing aids can be a significant investment, and prices vary widely based on technology and features. Check if your insurance plan covers part or all of the cost. 

Seek professional support and expertise 

When you get hearing aids at Memorial Village Sinus and Hearing, you receive:

If you’re struggling with hearing loss and you’re considering hearing aids, the most important thing to look for is support — and you’ve got that here at Memorial Village Sinus and Hearing. Whether you need new hearing aids or you’re exploring the idea for the first time, help for hearing loss is just a call or click away.

You can request an appointment online or call our Houston, Texas, office at 281-822-3777.

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