If you watched Dr. Laura's video, "What is the BEST hearing aid?" , you know choosing the right Hearing Aid is based on a number of factors. These factors are specific to each individual's hearing loss, their lifestyle and listening environments such as noisy restaurants or conference rooms. Therefore, it is not so much about which is the best Hearing Aid on the market, rather it is really about which is the best hearing aid for you!

With that being said when choosing a hearing aid, there are so many variables--features, function, price, style--that it can be a confusing process. You'll want the best hearing aid on the market that also suits your needs. But it will be easier to narrow the choice down if you consider some of your basic requirements:


Speech Enhancement
You want your hearing aid to improve communication, which means hearing clearly when people speak to you. Along with directional microphones, look for wide dynamic range compression, which is technology that increases the softer sound of conversation and speech without increasing the volume of ambient or background noise.


If you watched Dr. Laura's video, "What is the best hearing aid?", you know choosing the right Hearing Aid is based on a number of factors. These factors are specific to each individual's hearing loss, their lifestyle and listening environments such as noisy restaurants or conference rooms. Therefore, it is not so much about which is the best Hearing Aid on the market, rather it is really about which is the best hearing aid for you!

With that being said when choosing a hearing aid, there are so many variables--features, function, price, style--that it can be a confusing process. You'll want the best hearing aid on the market that also suits your needs. But it will be easier to narrow the choice down if you consider some of your basic requirements:

Speech Enhancement
You want your hearing aid to improve communication, which means hearing clearly when people speak to you. Along with directional microphones, look for wide dynamic range compression, which is technology that increases the softer sound of conversation and speech without increasing the volume of ambient or background noise.

Noise Reduction
While amplification helps you hear the sounds around you, it can also increase background noise. Look for a hearing aid with some of these features to reduce background noise:

  • Directional microphones amplify sound coming from in front of you and reduce sound from the side or behind you
  • Multiple channels can reduce ambient sound and prioritize by amplifying speech



Feedback Reduction
Sometimes electronic interference creates a whistling sound, just like you hear when someone speaks to closely into a microphone. Look for a hearing aid with technology that reduces interference.

 

Programmability
Unless you spend all of your time in one place, doing one thing, you'll want a hearing aid that can be programmed for different listening environments. Most hearing aids today have at least three, and up to five listening programs.

 

Wireless Capability, Connectivity, Telephone and Bluetooth
Modern hearing aids don't just help you hear sounds and conversation in your physical space; they also allow you to hear easily on the phone, stream music from your devices, hear television clearly and even use adaptive listening devices to hear in some theatres, concert venues, museums and churches. Manufacturers are always developing new hearing aid technology to keep you connected.

 

What's the Right Hearing Aid for You?
Your ears are like fingerprints, unique to you, even to each of your ears. Your hearing loss condition, severity, and physical traits are some of the determining factors as to what the right hearing aid is for your individual needs. Only a hearing healthcare professional can work with you to find the best hearing aid for you.