Which hearing aids are best for me?

Hearing loss affects approximately 1 in 6 of the adult population in the UK. If you have hearing loss, it is important to find a hearing aid that meets your needs.

How do I choose a hearing aid?

With new technology and improved designs, hearing aids can now be tailored to individual preferences and lifestyle. Here are some things to consider when choosing a hearing aid:

Types of hearing loss

Different hearing aids are designed to address different types of hearing loss. For example, if you have severe hearing loss, you may need a hearing aid with a stronger amplification capability.

It is also important to consider whether you need additional features such as noise cancellation or directional microphones. 

Try out several models at different price points before making a decision so that you can find the perfect match for your needs.

Lifestyle

Consider your daily activities and how you will be using the hearing aid. For example, if you are an active person, you may want a hearing aid that is water-resistant or has a longer battery life.

Lifestyle can impact what hearing aid is best for you in several ways. For example:

1. Water-resistant or waterproof hearing aids may be a good option for people who enjoy water sports or who live in a humid climate.
2. If you are an active person, you may want a hearing aid with a longer battery life or one that is easy to charge on the go.
3. If you work in a noisy environment, you may want a hearing aid with a noise reduction feature to help filter out background noise.
4. If you frequently use the phone or participate in conference calls, you may want a hearing aid with Bluetooth connectivity to allow you to stream phone calls directly to your hearing aid.
5. If you travel frequently, you may want a hearing aid with a universal remote control that can be used to adjust settings in different languages.

Budget

Hearing aids can range in price from several hundred to several thousand pounds. Consider your budget and the cost of any additional features you may want.

Here are a few ways that budget can impact your hearing aid selection:

1. Basic vs. advanced features: More expensive hearing aids may come with additional features, such as noise reduction, Bluetooth connectivity, and remote control capabilities. If you are on a tight budget, you may need to prioritise which features are most important to you and choose a hearing aid with fewer but still essential features.
2. Size and style: Hearing aids come in different sizes and styles, ranging from small and discreet to larger and more visible. Smaller, more discreet hearing aids tend to be more expensive than larger, more visible ones.
3. Brand: Different hearing aid brands offer different levels of quality and features. Some brands may be more expensive due to their reputation or the additional features they offer.

Size and appearance

Size and appearance: Hearing aids come in different sizes and styles, ranging from small and discreet to larger and more visible. Consider which size and style will work best for you.

The first step in choosing a hearing aid is knowing what type is best for your needs. There are several types of hearing aids available, including behind-the-ear (BTE), in-the-ear (ITE), completely-in-canal (CIC), and receiver-in-canal (RIC). 

BTEs are the most common type of hearing aid, as they fit behind your ear and are adjustable for different levels of sound. 

ITEs fit directly into the outer ear canal and are less visible than other types of hearing aids. CICs are small enough to fit entirely inside your ear canal and are barely visible from outside. 

RICs come with a thin wire that feeds sound into an invisible receiver inside your ear canal