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NetWellness provides the highest quality health information and education services created and evaluated by faculty of our partner universities.
Friday, February 10, 2012
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NetWellness provides the highest quality health information and education services created and evaluated by faculty of our partner universities.
Friday, February 10, 2012
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Ear, Nose, and Throat Disorders |
Hearing aids03/10/1998 |
How do I find out which hearing aid is the best?
The anwer to the question "How do I find out which hearing aid is the best" is complex and depends on a number of factors. Briefly, the hearing aid that is best for you depends first of all on the type of hearing loss that you have, whether the hearing loss is the same for all frequencies or good at some frequencies and poor at other. The frequency response of some hearing aids is more adjustable than others. Another issue is, whether you are bothered by loud noise ( a problem we call auditory recruitment) and need automatic "compression" of loud sounds. Also, what degree of hearing loss do you have? A mild hearing loss allows a different size hearing aid than a severe hearing loss that requires a larger amplifier. Finally the size of the hearing aid has other implications. Do you have good finger dexterity and can you handle a tiny battery? Do you mind whether the hearing aid is partially visible or do you want it as "invisible" as possible for cosmetic purposes?Currently hearing aids are marvelous for their ability to amplify selected frequencies and avoid over-amplification that exposes the user to sounds that hurt their ears. Some of the programmable hearing aids automatically adjust the level of amplification to a higher level for soft sounds, and then automatically decrease the amplification for loud sounds. Some of these aids do not even have a volume control. The amplifiers are getting better at reducing background noise than was previously true.
Current hearing aids come with a wide variety of options to meet the individual needs of the person with a hearing loss. They come in a wide range of costs depending on those features. Hearing aids are a low as $400 and as high as $2000. The difference in features for that range of prices, however, is similar to the difference in purchasing a Model T Ford, or a 1998 Lexus.
Following medical clearance we recommend that you seek professional advice from an audiologist who can give you advice on the type of amplification that will suit your individual needs. All reputable dispensing audiologists provide a 30 day trial to be sure you are satisfied with the hearing aid. It is standard practice to pay for the hearing aids upon delivery, and seek a refund if you cannot use amplification. Remember, depending on the sophistication of the hearing aids, you may need to make 3 or 4 visits before the hearing aid is correctly adjusted to your needs. When the fitting is completed, however, you will be very glad that you took the time because your life will be much enhanced.
Robert W. Keith, Ph.D., FAAA; Professor of Otolaryngology; Division of Audiology; College of Medicine; University of Cincinnati Medical Center;
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Thomas A Tami, MD Professor of Otolaryngology Department of Otolaryngology College of Medicine University of Cincinnati |
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Please note: only your personal physician or other health professional you consult can best advise you on matters of your health based on your medical history, your family medical history, your medication history, and how information from any of these databases may apply to you. Neither University of Cincinnati (NetWellness) nor any party involved in creating, producing or delivering this web site shall be liable for any damages arising out of access to or use of this web site, or any errors or omissions in the content thereof. (More) 
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