Hearing loss can be a challenge that might seem easy to ignore at first. However, men need to understand that hearing loss is something that should have no shame and in fact many men suffer from. This is in large part because the jobs that we do are disproportionally dangerous and involve loud noises such as construction trades and military as well as hobbies like auto racing and shooting sports.
America's Hearing Industries Association revealed that hearing aid sales shot up to 4.23 million unit sales in 2019. With these astronomical sales comes the question of what the best hearing aid style is. Although the notable types are the ITE, ITC, and the BTE, you should first consider certain factors before choosing or purchasing one. It wouldn't be your sole decision because the audiologist is available to provide expert help as needed. On this page is a discussion of some relevant factors to consider first.
Lifestyle Options
A social butterfly's hearing aid style isn’t the same for a person with a quieter lifestyle. Also, modern hearing aids are designed with additional features that include the cancellation of background noise in crowded places. Therefore, a hearing aid that allows you to control unneeded sounds in the immediate environment will be your obvious choice for an active lifestyle.
Fortunately, modern hearing devices are designed with these programmable features, but you will be better off choosing one made specifically for your lifestyle type. That is because devices that offer all functions simultaneously may have to sacrifice one essential feature for another. Whether the emphasis is on natural sound or another, this is a factor you can’t ignore when choosing your hearing aid.
The Severity Of Hearing Loss
This is a logical element that your audiologist would not miss explaining to you. Although the decision about the hearing aid style depends on what is suitable for you, the final choice can’t be made without your audiologist's input. The hearing specialist should have first made a diagnosis about your hearing condition to determine the degree of hearing loss.
For example, if your diagnosis is a significant or profound hearing loss, the audiologist will recommend a behind-the-ear (BTE) style. That is because the BTE is designed to contain a larger battery to last longer. Moreover, larger batteries have more performance capacity and may not require frequent replacements. Additionally, a person with hearing loss in only one ear will not require a device with a sound locating ability, unlike those with bilateral impairment.
Budget
Sophisticated hearing devices will come at a higher cost due to additional features that aren’t present in other hearing aid styles. Therefore, depending on what you expect from your hearing aid, your decision should include how much you are willing to spend on it. Additionally, you must keep in mind that your hearing aids might vary in price depending on the manufacturer.
Moreover, budget is a sensitive subject for potential hearing aid wearers. Sometimes, the higher the product is priced, the more functions and features you get from it. More so, that is how brands work to become favorites. At this point, your best deal is to choose a more economical manufacturer.
In conclusion, no matter what style you opt for, the most important thing is to have it fitted comfortably to convey sounds that you can interpret without difficulty. Getting a suitable hearing aid at your fitting must be your focus.
