Hearing Aids Buying Tips

Have you been putting off purchasing hearing aids, and now your family insists you must buy them? It is not uncommon for people to wait seven to ten years after hearing loss is detected to purchase hearing aids. We are glad that you made this decision. Let us now share some tips for buying the best hearing aids.

Is it possible to buy hearing aids without a test?

An audiometry test is required before you can purchase hearing aids. The audiogram or hearing test results will show the severity of your hearing loss, allowing the hearing aid fitter to determine the best hearing aid for your needs.

What is the difference in qualities of Hearing Aids?

A reputable brand will guarantee that there won’t be any differences in the quality or manufacturing process of hearing aids. However, all brands will have different tonal qualities and features.

Hearing Aid Specialist Sa

You should try different brands in the same environment and choose those that make you feel comfortable.

What should you know before buying hearing aids?

Talk to your audiologist about the following before you start the hearing aid fitting process.

• Do you need two or one hearing aid?
• What is the best hearing aid to treat my hearing loss?
• Will this hearing device meet my future needs?
• What are the return policy and the trial period for hearing aids that are not suitable?
• How many sessions of reprogramming are included in the price?
• Learn the warranty terms and the warranty period. What is covered?
• Ensure that your hearing aid fitter is certified in at least one brand.
• Ask for the cost and total cost of the model so the fitter can offer a free trial.

How to choose the best Hearing Aids?

Many companies and brands claim to be the best, and every hearing aid user will recommend a different brand. Let’s first look at the things you must consider when choosing hearing aids.

For selecting the right hearing aids, you need to consider the type of hearing loss and the percentage. Different companies make hearing aids to suit the user’s hearing loss. Your audiologist will help you choose the right hearing aid for your hearing loss.

Before making a decision, there are many other factors to consider. Continue reading to learn more about the other factors you should consider before deciding.

How does your lifestyle matter when buying Hearing Aids?

It is essential to discuss your personal and professional needs with your hearing aid fitter before the hearing aid fitting begins. The hearing aid fitter will help you narrow down the options and recommend the best hearing aid Adelaide for your needs.

All hearing aids can amplify sound and can be programmed for hearing loss. However, you must consider your lifestyle when choosing a hearing aid. You will feel comfortable using the hearing aid, which will last many years.

It would be your best choice if you made the right decision. If not, you will not want to use it and may end up putting it away.

Considerations When Buying Hearing Aids

• Which hearing aid style would be best for me?
• What hearing aid features can I use?
• Which hearing aid features can improve my everyday experience?

Many brands offer hearing aids with many functions, but you don’t necessarily need all of them. Look at the features and mark the ones you will use and need.

Hearing Aid Features

Below are standard features of hearing aids.

• Directional microphone – This helps in hearing the voice of the person in front and reduces the noise from the surrounding area.
• Background noise cancellation – This helps you hear better in noisy places like restaurants.
• Remote Control – The user can adjust the volume or change programs discreetly without using the hearing aid.
• Feedback Cancellation – Reduces whistling and squealing sounds when the hearing aid volume has been increased.
• Rechargeable batteries – You don’t need to change hearing aids batteries every week or two weeks. You can charge batteries each night and then use them throughout the day.
• Bluetooth Connectivity – Stream calls from your smartphone to your hearing aid.
• Wireless Connectivity – Can stream TV audio to a listening aid.
• Ear to Ear Synchronization – This is the process of passing sound from one ear to another if the user has two hearing aids.
• Remote Mic – If you regularly attend seminars, the remote mic is a handy accessory. The microphone is placed near the speaker so the user can hear it from afar.
• Music Mode – These hearing aids can be used to listen to music and have a greater frequency response than regular hearing aids.
• Health Monitor – Some brands sell hearing aids that monitor heart health and physical activity. The aids send alerts if there are any health problems or falls.
• Virtual Support – Hearing aids can now be programmed and tuned remotely from home without visiting an audiologist.
• Apps Support – Users can adjust settings using an app on their smartphone.

Most brands offer some of the features listed above. You can also check the features of advanced hearing aids if the basic hearing aids do not cover your requirements.

Hearing Aid User Profiles

Based on their social activities, we assume that most hearing aid users can be categorized into this group.

• Hearing aids to support an active professional lifestyle
• Hearing aids for semi-retired people who are socially active
• Hearing aids to the Retired Lifestyle

There are two primary considerations before purchasing hearing aids.

• Style of the hearing aid – Can others see the hearing aid? Do others know I have a hearing aid?
• Hearing Aid Features – What features are available? Are they going to make my life easier?

Hearing Aids to Support a Professionally Active Lifestyle

People in their 40s are now suffering from hearing loss, and most professionals begin to take on senior-level responsibilities in their 40s. Their growth prospects will be affected by any handicap they may experience at this age. Many young people do not use a hearing aid because they don’t want others to find out that they can’t hear well enough.

While it is true that you can hide a hearing aid, it is difficult to conceal a hearing loss. They will soon notice their hearing loss when they start to miss words in meetings and discussions, and they are also at risk of developing an increased hearing loss.

These hearing aids are recommended for professionals.

Invisible In Canal or IIC Hearing Aids

The IIC, or Invisible in Canal style hearing aids, slides deep into the ear canal and are invisible. The IIC’s tip almost touches the eardrum.

Completely in Canal/CIC Hearing Aid

CIC (Completely in the Canal) hearing aids are slightly larger than IIC and fit into the ear canal but not as deeply as the IIC. A CIC hearing aid is acceptable in most cases.

Hearing Aids For Semi-Retired People

A socially active lifestyle is when the user is socially active and is not yet retired. The user attends social events, visits clubs, and engages in outdoor activities.

This lifestyle would suit someone around 60, and visibility might not be an issue at this age.

In The Canal, or ITC Hearing Aid

The ITC (or In the Canal) style of hearing aids is slightly larger than the CIC. The front portion, or faceplate, is barely visible and doesn’t fit into the ear canal.

An ITC can cover a greater hearing loss than an IIC or CIC, making it easier to use.

Receiver in Canal and RIC/RITE

The wire connecting the ear for the RIC (Receiver In Canal) and RITE (Receiver In The Ear) types of hearing aids is very thin. The thin wire is almost indistinctive and makes them virtually invisible hearing aids. The RIC is tiny and fits behind your ear.

This hearing aid is suitable for people with severe hearing loss and is very easy to use. The RIC model has most of the above features.

Hearing Aids to Retired Lifestyle

These people live a semi-retired or retired lifestyle. They are usually at home but sometimes attend cultural and social events.

Seniors have the option to explore audio streaming features, and this makes it easy to watch TV without disturbing others.

Behind The Ear, or BTE

BTE and RIC styles are the best options for elders because they are simple to use and handle. The buttons and switches are large and easy to use. You can also choose a rechargeable hearing aid to avoid frequently replacing batteries.

Older people don’t have to rely on others to put on their aids. Hearing aids can improve the quality of life for hard-of-hearing and deaf people. However, one doesn’t have to stop enjoying the things that make them happy.

To Summarize

Never ignore hearing loss; we hope our advice on purchasing hearing aids will help you make the right decision for your hearing health. We at Hearing Aid Specialist Sa don’t want you to live in a world devoid of hearing, and our highly knowledgeable hearing experts will assist you and assist you with this crucial choice.

Signs it is Time for you to Upgrade your Hearing Aids

Hearing instruments get outdated as they age. As per national statistics, most hearing aids have an average lifespan of three to five years. Many reasons can affect the lifespan of your hearing aids though, including the make and model of hearing aids, changes in hearing and most importantly, the way a user takes care of them.

If you are experiencing a problem with your hearing aids or your device has gone older than five to seven years, it might be a good idea to think about a new pair to listen to the day-to-day sounds efficiently.

That said, listed below are some conditions that indicate you should replace your hearing device.

CHANGE IN YOUR HEARING OR HEALTH

As you age, so does your health and hearing. Especially, if you have had a recent change in your health or the medications you have been taking to manage certain health condition, you should have your hearing re-evaluated.

Also, if you realise that your hearing isn’t as clear as before, think no further and schedule your audiologist appointment to get your hearing checked. Depending on your current hearing device technology, the audiologist will make some adjustments to accommodate changes to your hearing. If that’s not possible, it means you need to get your hands on new hearing aids technology. Now you have two options, either you can go for a traditional hearing device that works with hearing aid batteries or choose a pair of advanced rechargeable hearing aids. Do your research and consult with your audiologist to get the best functioning yet feature-rich device.

YOUR ATTITUDE TOWARD HEARING AIDS HAS CHANGED

Hearing aids have evolved throughout the years. From big, bulky, beige and clearly visible to compact, transparent and invisible, hearing devices have come a long way and have significantly changed people’s perception about wearing one. Besides, first time users are reluctant to use hearing aids as they are not sure if their device will help or not and how much time it will take them to get used to the hearing aids. But once people get used to wearing hearing aids, they see how valuable the device is to being able to remain engaged and active in life. Long-time or experienced users can see the value that hearing aids bring to their lives and thus are convinced for upgrades and replacements which allows them to enjoy even more advanced features and a seamless experience.

CONTINUOUSLY INVEST IN REPAIRS

Sometimes it makes more sense to replace the device outright rather than investing in its maintenance in bits and pieces. This is because an older model may require extensive feature maintenance. Or maybe, the device itself is no longer available or discounted – the older the device gets, the harder it becomes to repair or replace its broken components. Fixing an old device could cost you more in the long run.

Therefore, if the manufacturer doesn’t supply the parts anymore, it’s a good sign for you to purchase a new pair of advanced hearing aids that is compatible with today’s technology.

CHANGE IN LIFESTYLE

The best kind of hearing aids is the one that can keep up with the changes in your lifestyle, occupation and hobbies. Maybe, your current hearing aids are designed for a quiet lifestyle and now you have plans to move to more socially active atmosphere or a more noisy work environment that demands most of your hearing. To make sure you can be active and be able to engage well in your changing lifestyle, you need to upgrade to more advanced hearing aids that fit your needs.

KEEP UP WITH THE ADVANCES IN HEARING TECHNOLOGY

As long as there is technology, there will be evolution. Today’s hearing technology offers features like noise cancellation, direct microphones, rechargeable batteries, Bluetooth compatibility and many more that people are inclined toward and are ready to invest in. The latest hearing aid models are compatible with several electronics like smartphones and televisions to provide users with a more seamless hearing experience.

Today’s hearing aids do more than just amplifying sounds. They include digital, adaptive, directional microphones to help locate the speech you want to hear and impulse reduction to soften other irritating background sounds.

The best thing about new hearing advances is they can better process sounds with features that enhance comprehension and connect to other electronic devices. In case, you are not able to utilise such features that can help you hear better, it is time to upgrade your device. The mechanics and processing involved in hearing devices continue to improve with technological advancements. The smarter the features, the better your hearing experience and your life.

Besides, advanced hearing aids are more secure as they are equipped with improved design durability and can withstand dirt and prevent moisture damage.

These were all the hints you need to know that it’s time to upgrade your hearing device. If you have experienced one or more of these issues, it is best to talk to a professional who can recommend you the right hearing aids based on your lifestyle and budget.

Here’s What you Can Expect from New Hearing Aids During All Stages

So, you have finally decided to take the big step towards improving your relationship, career and life enjoyment after years of family and friends complaining about your hearing issue. You have decided to get your hands on a pair of hearing aids and enjoy the sounds of life again. Great! Congratulations.

But you are a bit scared about getting on this new journey and don’t really have any idea what to expect. Don’t fret! It is obvious to feel this way, thus this post will discuss what is “normal” and what is “not normal” when it comes to hearing aids.

There is no one-size-fits all approach to hearing aids since every user experience is different from others. But having a general guide for what to expect before getting hearing aids, during the initial adjustment period and in the long run, will help you get the most out of your device and hearing experience.

#STAGE1: BEFORE WEARING HEARING AIDS

If you decide to shop around and consult with a couple of hearing care professionals before making a final decision, you can expect to have different recommendations from different professionals. This is because there are different brands of hearing aids available in the market that offer a mix of unique and similar features, so it is easy to get overwhelmed. Moreover, there is a possibility that the device your friend raves about is not the right one for your particular needs and lifestyle.

A good hearing aids is a great investment, can be a little pricey though.
Cost for a high-quality pair can range from nearly $2000 to more than $7000 based on the level of technology and features of the device.

While purchasing your unit, expect a detailed assessment. Everything is taken into consideration from your health to lifestyle and priorities to budget.

If you are not able to hear sounds from both ears, expect to invest in two hearing aids. Even if you think you only need one device, the reality is human hearing is binaural by design. So, it is possible that you might not hear sounds properly until you plug in the device in both ears.

Most people experience optimal results when the brain receives input from both ears.

Besides, most hearing aid providers offer a no-cost trial period, if the user is not satisfied with the hearing aids during the trial, the money will be returned.

The whole motive of wearing hearing aids is to listen to sounds comfortably. If the hearing aids offer no improvement, they are not the right solution for your hearing. A reliable hearing aid professional will work with you until you find the right solution for your condition and needs.

#STAGE 2: DURING

It is a good idea to not expect to get comfortable with your hearing device as soon as you wear them, because you will not. The average time a person with known hearing loss takes to finally get used to hearing aids is 5-7 years. It has likely been a while since you have been able to fully hear all the sounds around you, again. From the sound of air conditioning unit to the dripping of the faucet, the sound of your feet hitting the floor as you walk, you’ll be able to hear everything with ease and understand how beautiful sound frequencies can be to the ears.

During the trial period, you will return to your audiologist several times for adjustments. Modern hearing aids can be fine tuned to address your specific needs and your hearing specialist will make sure you are hearing your best.

The first time you hear your voice with hearing aids on, expect it to sound funny. Hearing aids amplify sounds- including your own voice. Don’t expect to hear everything perfectly, hearing aids are not a cure and you might still have trouble hearing sounds in a noisy restaurant or at a party.

Hearing aids ease the hassle of listening sounds so wear them whenever you can (except showering or swimming) but make sure you don’t experience any ear pain, soreness, bleeding or rash due to hearing aids. If you experience any kind of discomfort, remove the hearing aids immediately and consult your expert. In addition, if normal sounds like door slamming or the roar of a car engine bother you or are painful, consult an audiologist. Additionally, you will experience whistling, unless you turn your device off. Hearing aids are not supposed to whistle once they are inserted in the ears, if they do, visit your healthcare professional for an adjustment.

#STAGE3: LONG TERM

To hear better for a longer period of time, invest in hearing aid maintenance. Clean it daily with a soft cloth, remove wax at regular intervals, use an overnight dry kit. Also, continuously changing hearing aid batteries helps you hear better for an extended period.

Purchase a new set of hearing aids approximately every 5-7 years as they wear out eventually.

Hearing aids significantly change the life of a user. With just the right knowledge about what to expect, you can make necessary adjustments to your hearing aids and make it as smooth and stress-free as possible for everyone around.

Consult with a hearing aid provider for any hearing related queries or advice; they will make the whole process seamless with their assistance.

Hearing Aids: Revolutionary Innovations of 2020

Equipped with ground-breaking technologies, today’s hearing aids are truly an advanced and life-changing creation for the hard of hearing. They have changed people’s perception about hearing aids, in a good way.

While most hearing aids now feature modern conveniences like smartphone controls, Bluetooth connectivity and rechargeability, the technology has taken even an advanced path beyond anyone’s expectation.

This blog will take a look at those advanced technologies that have made hearing much easier and seamless for hearing aid users.

LET’S TALK ABOUT THE HELPFUL HEARING TECHNOLOGY

Of course, the market is filled with different hearing aids technologies; the wide variety causes confusion and makes the whole buying decision difficult. But having the right hearing aids with advanced features helps you in certain situations. Like, the more you go out in open space and interact with people, the more technology you will need to hear comfortably in every situation. That is why investing in a device that offers maximum features to help you be in control and hear better regardless of the situation, is a good idea.

Here are some of the most impressive technological features that many of today’s hearing aids offer.

Bluetooth & Smartphone Connectivity and Rechargeability

These three features are common in standard hearing aids but don’t underestimate the major role these features play in improving everyday life.

• Staying connected to the world is easier than ever with Bluetooth/wireless hearing aids because they allow you to stream your favourite TV shows, podcasts, music, calls directly into your ears. Signia Insio and Stareky Halo are two popular hearing aids that offer Bluetooth streaming.
• Another type that’s becoming popular is rechargeable hearing aids. These come with portable charging cases for extra security and convenience when you are on the go. These are environment-friendly and don’t cost a fortune.
• With smartphone connectivity, users have the ability to change the volume of hearing aids or programs based on their surroundings. Like, if sitting in a crowded restaurant, you can adjust the volume with a few touches in smartphone and without ever having to touch your hearing aids.

Speech Enhancement

Needless to say, improved speech clarity has been hands down the top desired feature among hearing aid users. Modern hearing aids have drastically improved speech clarity or ability to understand speech. Today’s hearing aids come equipped with advanced features like echo adjustments, narrow directionality and spatial configurators to deliver the best and highest level of speech clarity even in the most challenging environments.

Background Noise Management

To follow a conversation and understand every word, it is important for the hard of hearing individuals to be able to eliminate the background noise. Higher-grade hearing aids incorporate sophisticated algorithms to filter out the background noise. With such enhancements, the user can enjoy a more natural hearing experience and reduced listening effort.

Directional Microphone

With this feature, people are now able to focus on the sound that they actually want or need to hear. This means many modern hearing aids are armed with a directional microphone that suppresses background sounds which are of less importance while keeping the user sensitive to sounds they want to pay attention to, such as one-to-one interaction speech.

Acoustic and motion sensors fitted in hearing aids help identify where sounds are coming from in 3D.

Own Voice Processing

People perceive their own voice differently because of where the sound is produced. The hard of hearing yearns to hear the true sound of their voice. Luckily, hearing aid manufacturers have made advanced hearing aids that deliver the most natural experience by processing the wearer’s own voice instantly and independently from different voices and sounds.

Binaural Processing

If you think you only need one hearing aid for just the “bad ear” to be able to listen clearly, you might need to rethink. To drive the best hearing experience, you need a pair of hearing aids. Purchasing two with average technology rather than one with the best technology, is better and helps to get the best performance out of your hearing aids.

Binaural processing feature in the hearing aid allows two hearing aids to communicate wirelessly and mimic’s brain’s ability to process information from both ears.

Tinnitus Therapies

Tinnitus and hearing go hand in hand but tinnitus doesn’t cause hearing loss. The ringing sensation, however, can be distracting and makes it hard to concentrate on other sounds. Therefore, tinnitus therapies provide different static noise types and ocean wave signals to lend some relief to the user.

Top Hearing Aids of 2020

• Signia Silk X
• Signia Styletto Connect
• Phonal Virto Black
• Starkey Livio AI

These hearing aids are not going anywhere and will continue to be popular amongst hearing aid users for their features and functionality. Besides, people who are thinking of investing in good quality hearing aids, knowing about these innovative features could help.

So, go ahead and start your journey to better hearing aids now. Connect with hearing aid providers in Adelaide who can help you get one of the best hearing aids of 2020.

Hearing Aid Batteries Draining Too Fast? These May Be the Reasons!

Hearing the beep or “low battery” voice right into the ear is annoying for people who constantly wear hearing aids throughout the day.

Understanding the factors that are involved in draining the battery is crucially important to create a hassle-free hearing experience. The quality of your battery can affect the hearing aid’s performance, the sound quality of both- speech and streamed audio and how long they will last until needed replaced.

Therefore, to help you get the most out of your batteries, we have pulled together some valuable information that will give you an idea about what exactly drains the life of your hearing aid batteries so soon.

Your level of Hearing loss

Many people are unaware of the fact that the greater the hearing loss, the more the batteries have to work, thus draining faster than usual. That’s because your level of hearing loss affects the strength of amplification that your hearing aid has to provide.

Change in Altitude Can Impact Batteries

The higher your elevation above the sea level, the more it reduces the life of hearing aid batteries as the level of oxygen at higher altitudes is low. That said, hearing aid users when taking a flight or climbing the mountains, must keep some spare batteries with them, especially if they are on their last leg.

Advanced Hearing Features Can Drain Batteries

With the arrival of digital hearing aids, people are able to hear much better with these latest devices than the traditional ones. Advanced features in hearing aids like noise cancellation, tinnitus relied, wireless streaming of calls, movies, music basically provide users the ability to better hear lost frequencies.

However, these advanced features are also the reasons why your hearing device battery dies so quickly.

The battery drain rate can increase by 300% when streaming using smartphone and Bluetooth. Also, using FM or looping technology can increase the drain rate by 100%.

Weather Impacts the Life of Hearing Aid Batteries

The new season not only brings a change in temperature, moisture, humidity and snow but affects the functioning and performance of your hearing aids batteries as well.

The humidity and temperature can affect the life of your hearing aid batteries and here’s how:

• Batteries dry out faster when exposed to low humidity.
• High humidity or moisture can cause swelling, leakage and reduced battery life of your device.
• Those who are exposed to low temperatures on a daily basis must know that the battery life of hearing aids can shorten as voltage dips and depletes.
• Battery performance can easily be affected when the temperature approaches 90-100 degrees. In fact, humidity over 50% can negatively impact the batteries.
• Besides these reasons, make sure to never do the “freezing batteries” trick with hearing aid batteries. This trick might be useful and extend the life of other devices but doesn’t work with hearing aid batteries at all. In fact, it makes the performance even worse.

To sum up

Though sooner or later your hearing aid batteries will run out and you can’t do anything particularly to save their life, with proper precautions like taking out hearing aids when not in use and keeping the spare hearing aid batteries handy can prevent you from the hassle of going to the market and make an emergency purchase.

Apart from that, you can think about rechargeable hearing aids if you are planning to buy a new set. Simply dock them on a charger every night before you go to sleep and you have the fully charged hearing aids the next day.