| All hearing aids are expensive, even if you are going to | | | | Conventional hearing aids commonly fit behind the ear |
| buy a really basic one it's unlikely to cost less than a | | | | (BTE), in the ear (ITE) and inside the ear canal (CIC). |
| few hundred dollars. So why can't you splash out and | | | | There are two forms of hearing aid, digital and analog. |
| buy a high quality one? After all, it's your hearing that | | | | Analog hearing aids are cheaper, but they do not have |
| we're talking about! | | | | many of the features digital hearing aids are capable |
| The problem is that no hearing aid is the best, each | | | | of. Digital hearing aids also have better sound quality. |
| hearing aid performs differently. So the best hearing | | | | There are a number of different options that hearing |
| aid for you depends entirely upon what you need and | | | | aid users can choose from, and so they are becoming |
| expect from your hearing aid, and also the extent of | | | | more and more customised. There are several |
| your hearing loss. | | | | interesting new features such as dual microphones, |
| We can start to look at what types of hearing aid | | | | and telecoils that allow you to get more out of your |
| would be best suited to certain types of individual: | | | | hearing aid. |
| Types of Hearing Loss | | | | Implants |
| -Conductive Hearing Loss. This is where there is | | | | You can also have a very new type of hearing aid |
| something wrong with your ear, the sound itself is | | | | implanted in your ear, this hearing aid is fitted |
| unable to pass from the outer ear to the inner ear. This | | | | completely inside the ear. There are obvious |
| reason is the most common reason people need | | | | advantages to these implants, but also some |
| hearing aids. | | | | disadvantages. Implants are designed for people that |
| -Sensorineural Hearing Loss. This is where there is a | | | | experience serious hearing loss. |
| problem further inside the inner ear, or it could possibly | | | | These implanted hearing aids take sound from outside |
| be a nerve problem. This problem is much more | | | | and then transmit it to the middle ear, where the sound |
| serious than conductive hearing loss, but it still can be | | | | is recreated. These hearing aids are best suited to |
| helped using hearing aids. | | | | those people who suffer from sensorineural hearing |
| -Mixed Hearing Loss. This is a mixture of both | | | | loss, they won't work if the middle ear is damaged. |
| conductive and sensorineural hearing loss. | | | | Earglasses |
| Purchase a Hearing Aid | | | | This is the newest innovation in the hearing aid industry, |
| You should only purchase a hearing aid from a | | | | this device known as an earglass doesn't use any |
| company that offers some form of free trial, this | | | | electronics, so there's no expensive battery to replace. |
| should be at least 30 days long, if it's not suitable within | | | | This device sites behind your ear and magnifies the |
| this time you can simply return the hearing aid and get | | | | sound. |
| your money back. You may consider used hearing | | | | This device basically works in the same way as when |
| aids as well. | | | | you cup your hands around your ear. This is a |
| Conventional hearing aids | | | | completely natural way to amplify the sound, however |
| The conventional hearing aids are designed to amplify | | | | this is only suitable for people that suffer from mild |
| sounds so that your ear can hear them, these are | | | | hearing loss, as the gain isn't large enough for more |
| suitable for any type of hearing loss. | | | | serious cases. |