Useful tips to know before buying a hearing aid

Even a mild hearing loss can cause great difficulty in your everyday life, and if you are already convinced to buy yourself a hearing aid, it is essential to understand that the selection of the right hearing aid depends on your degree of hearing loss, budget and listening needs. The best hearing aids are the ones that suit you perfectly among the many types of digital hearing aids available that serve specific sound requirements.

How to choose the right hearing aid?

Hearing Aids are available at various price ranges. They are available at a cost as low as $400 to $4500 or more for a pair of digital hearing aids. Some dispensers bill separately for testing, hearing aids and other services while others bill once with all services including hearing aids. So, carefully look into the terms and conditions and other technicalities involved and follow the points below to make an informed decision.

  • When you are about to purchase your hearing aid device, see to it that you get a purchase agreement contract which contains all terms of the transaction in writing. The warranty period needs to be present in paper and be honored by the manufacturer, the dispenser or both. Also, do not rush into buying your hearing aid. Take your time and test out multiple brands and models to see which one suits you best.
  • Since most hearing aids are programmed you need to ask your provider about which speech processing strategy is best for you rather than focusing on the best hearing aid. Programmable hearing aids come with features such as directional microphones, telecoil, direct audio input and remote control. So, ask your dispenser to show you how to set the device according to your needs and then test the device on best configuration.
  • Be aware of your rights concerning the trial period while you adjust to digital hearing aids. You can also check if you can try out one model for a week and then another one for a week to compare which one suits you in the long term.
  • Do make it a point to define your expectations before you opt for buying digital hearing aids since hearing aids will help better your communication. It helps a great deal to bring a friend or your spouse along with you when you are selecting your hearing aid. Two people hear and remember more so bringing someone along will limit chances of miscommunication.
  • If you happen to know someone who uses hearing aids, it is best to ask them to refer a provider whom they think is good. This will spare you bad experiences and will save you a lot of time and money as well.
  • Make sure your hearing test is conducted in an entirely soundproof booth. This will better highlight the type of hearing loss you have which will eventually lead to a better choice of hearing aid. Get an automated “real ear” test before leaving the office to see if the device fits perfectly and does what you want it to do.
  • While purchasing your hearing aid think hard about add-ons. These are just as important as the hearing aid itself since these will facilitate better hearing. If you mostly stay at home, then you will not need half of these add-ons so be aware and don’t let the provider sell you various advanced features and waste your money.
  • Since the cost of hearing aids range from $1,600 to $3,000 and are not covered by Medicare, it only makes sense to bargain. A recent consumer report survey revealed that an average retail markup of 117% is present on hearing aids, so there is enough room for bargaining.

So, remember each of these points while choosing a hearing aid to purchase the one that suits you best.

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