Hearing aids - BTE hearing Aids, Open Fit Hearing Aids, In the Ear Hearing Aids

A hearing aid is basically a sound amplifier. This is the simple answer. However with advances in technology, hearing aid manufacturers are  continually offering new features and functions.

1. Analog Hearing Aids make both speech and other sounds louder in the same amount.  These are the least costly type of hearing aids and most manufacturers have stopped making them. Amplification settings for these hearing aids can be changed maually for different hearing situations.

2. Digital programmable are the most common hearing aids available on the market. Most models can adjust themselves automatically to different environments, some automatically and other manually by pressing a button on the hearing aid case.

How can I find out if I really need a hearing aid?

If you think you have a hearing problem and are thinking about getting a hearing aid, look for any of the following professionals for a hearing test: An ear, nose, and throat doctor (ENT), an audiologist, an otolaryngologist, an otologist, or a hearing aid dispenser. Ask for a hearing test and afterwards a consultation to discuss your options i.e he or she can check to make sure other problems aren't present and find out the cause of your hearing loss. The doctor can also recommend possible treatments. Based on the  recommendations, if you have not aready chosen an audiologist, find one who can help you choose the type of hearing aid that will work best for you. If you do want to pay for an audiologist-recommended hearing aid, there are many vendors who sell hearing aids online at steep discounts.

There is no right time to buy a hearing aid. However, if you notice that you are beginning to not hear family members or conversations, then you might want to consider hearing aids. Other signs that may help you make a decision are if you cannot hear your grandchildren too well, or you can’t hear the phone ringing or alarms going off in the house. The right programmed hearing aid can restore the fun of conversations, music, TV, and movies.

So what are the steps you should go through to decide if you really need hearing aids?

1. Go to an audiologist (hearing doctor) and get a hearing test.

2. Discuss the results with him/ her and get an idea of how bad your hearing really is. If you just have a mild hearing loss, then you probably do not need hearing aids. If your hearing loss is moderate or worse, then you should probably choose to get hearing aids.

3. Ask for a copy of the hearing test results (audiogram). They must give you a copy as they are part of your medical records and by law they must provide you a copy. What the law does not say is how much an audiologist can charge you for the audiogram.

4. Research the models and prices of the hearing aids from the Internet and narrow down your choices. Get quotes from your local audiologist and then compare the prices from the Internet. You can then make an informed decision. Be aware that if you order from the Internet, if your hearing aids need adjustments in the future, they must be sent back to the vendor for programming changes. Some vendors provide a special programming box you can use to adjust your hearing aid.

With these steps completed, you can then decide if now is the time to buy a hearing aid.