Basics On How To Choose The Right Hearing Aids

By Author: Cynthia Nardelli
Total Articles: 3
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For many who suffer from hearing loss, choosing the right provider as well as the appropriate hearing aids, can be quite a daunting task. What patients need to know is that just buying an expensive hearing aid is not always going to get you the results that you might expect. No matter how expensive, or state of the art your hearing aids might be, if they are not properly programmed to fit your hearing loss and lifestyle, they may not do you much good.

It is important for patients to understand that not everyone has the same degree, type or configuration of hearing loss. Therefore, every hearing-impaired ear will process sound differently. This is why it is so important to make sure that you see an Audiologist. Audiologists have either a master’s level or doctorate level college degree in the science of Audiology. It is important to note that not all hearing aid fitters are audiologists, so be sure to ask. Audiologists are the experts in hearing aid fitting and have more education and knowledge than any other type of hearing aid dispenser. An audiologist is trained to provide a comprehensive diagnostic hearing ...
... evaluation and determine what type of technology will serve your lifestyle and needs.

Your audiologist should carry every style and technology level. It is also important that they be expert in at least two different brands of hearing aids. Being expert in at least two brands helps to ensure that the recommendation is based on the best solution for you and that not just one particular brand is being pushed. Once again, not every patient will do well with one brand so having a choice is important.

The style of aid is typically a large concern for patients so it is important for you to know that they are many styles of hearing aids out there however, not every style is appropriate for every hearing loss. Here are some photos of the various styles.

In-the-Ear or Full Shell – This hearing aid is custom made and fills most of the bowl-shaped area of your ear. This style is appropriate for a mild to severe hearing loss.

Half-Shell - This hearing aid is also custom made but only fills the lower portion of the ear. This style is appropriate for a mild to moderately-severe hearing loss.

In the canal – This hearing aid is custom molded and fits partly in the ear canal not showing as much in the bowl area of the ear. This is appropriate for a mild to moderate hearing loss.

Completely in the canal – This is a custom molded aid to fit inside your ear canal, and is the least noticeable. This is appropriate for a mild to moderate hearing loss.

Behind-the-Ear – This is a hearing aid that hooks over the top of the ear and rest behind the ear. The sound travels through a tube that is attached to an ear mold that fits inside the ear. The ear mold can be made in many different sizes. This type is appropriate for almost all types of hearing loss.

Open Ear – An open fit hearing aid is a very small hearing aid that sits behind the ear with a very small tube that runs down the side of the face and then has a tiny dome or speaker that sits inside the ear canal. This is best for mild to moderate high frequency hearing loss.

Do your research and be sure to choose a good Audiologist. Together you can find the most appropriate hearing aids for your hearing loss and lifestyle and ensures better hearing and better patient satisfaction!

Cynthia Nardelli-Certified Audiologist and owner of Nardelli Audiology since 1991, she has over 25 years of experience. She has lived in Clarksburg since 1986 and specializes in the fitting of advanced technology in digital hearing instrument systems. Cynthia has a BS in Speech Pathology & Audiology, and M.S. in Audiology from WVU in 1983 and has been in private practice in the North Central West Virginia area since 1986 . “Hearing loss runs in my family. My grandfather was deaf and my father is hearing impaired. I saw first-hand the detrimental effects that hearing loss can have on relationships and that is why I have dedicated my life to helping people to hear better.
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