Best New Hearing Aids
John M. Burkey, CCC/A, FAAA
Lippy Group for Ear, Nose & Throat
earing loss typically sneaks up slowly with often
imperceptible changes occurring over a period of several years.
Most people don’t even realize there is a problem until about
30% of their hearing is lost. At that stage, one of the most common
red flags is an inability to hear soft consonant sounds, such as
"th," "f" or "s," which causes people to miss parts of
conversations -- especially if the speaker is soft-spoken and/or
talks while facing away.
About one-third of all people over age 65 have significant
hearing loss and could benefit from hearing aids, but only about
20% of them use the devices -- often because of cosmetic concerns.
With new technology, however, clunky, conspicuous hearing aids have
largely been replaced with devices that are barely visible.
NEW HEARING AIDS
Vanity should no longer be used as an excuse to not get a
hearing aid. A variety of new technologically advanced hearing aid
devices that blend with a person’s skin or hair color are the norm.
In addition, manufacturers now offer devices that are decorative (a
flower design, for example) or come in bright colors, such as
orange or neon green. Popular
choices...
Mini behind-the-ear devices are usually no more than one
inch long. A tiny clear wire, which runs from behind the ear into
the ear, feeds sound into the ear.
Best for: People with loss of
high-pitched hearing (sounds such as birds chirping and a microwave
"beep"). This is the most common type of hearing loss, often
associated with noise exposure and aging.
Typical cost: $1,000 to $4,000 per ear.
Completely-in-the-canal
devices are
the least visible style but are not as popular as the mini
behind-the-ear versions. The ear canal is blocked, which can
interfere with low-pitched sounds, creating a less pleasing
sound quality for some people.
Best for: People with mild to moderate
hearing loss who are concerned about appearance.
Typical cost: $1,000 to $4,000 per ear.
CHOOSING THE BEST MODEL
Until recently, most hearing aids were analog
-- they contained a relatively simple amplifier to
make sounds louder. In the last few years, analog devices have been
widely replaced with digital hearing aids that process sounds
through a tiny computer. With digital technology, audiologists can
program the device to a person’s specific needs. For example, you
may need to have background noise muted so you can hear
conversations better in a restaurant.
How do you determine which hearing aid technology is best for
you? My
advice...
Don’t ask for a particular
brand. Some
of the best hearing aids are manufactured by companies most
people have never seen advertised.
Examples: GN ReSound, Oticon, Phonak,
Siemens and Starkey. Choose an audiologist who handles at least
three different brands.
Be willing to try a second brand -- or
model. Everyone responds differently
to particular hearing aids. One brand may create a "bright" sound
that some people think sounds crisp, while others think it sounds
tinny. Another brand may create a mellower sound that some people
think sounds rich, while others think it sounds "muddy." If you are
dissatisfied with your first choice after three or four weeks of
use, return it and try another brand or style of hearing aid.
Consider all your hearing
needs. If
you spend most of your time in quiet conversation, your needs
can probably be met by a basic, entry-level digital hearing
aid. However, if you go from home to a business, for example,
and then to the theater and later to the airport, you need a
more adaptive hearing aid, such as one that uses artificial
intelligence programming. These digital devices contain micro
processors that "learn" your needs so that -- with time --
your hearing aid will automatically adjust to give you the
right sound levels in the appropriate environments.
BUYING HEARING AIDS
After you select the size, model and brand of hearing aid...
Buy a hearing aid
for each ear unless your hearing loss
is restricted to one ear. The brain uses input from both ears
to tell the direction of sound and to focus on one speaker
within a group of people. If you buy a single hearing aid,
sounds will probably blur together, making it more difficult
to hear clearly.
Insist on a
money-back guarantee. Most states are required
by law to offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. (There may be a
non-refundable "trial" fee that should not exceed 10% of the
hearing aid’s cost.) Because hearing aids are costly and
typically not covered by insurance, it’s important that they
provide good sound and fit the ear comfortably.
Don’t
automatically buy loss-protection
insurance. Do you routinely lose
your eyeglasses or car keys? If not, then skip the
loss-protection insurance you will probably be offered. It
typically covers the full cost of hearing aids but costs about
$200 a year.
Purchase wax
guards. Half of all hearing aid
malfunctions are caused when too much earwax gets into the
device and damages the receiver. Wax guards, available from
your audiologist for about $10 each, are disposable and can be
changed as often as needed.