Nature and severity of hearing loss
The nature and severity of your hearing loss will influence what type of hearing aid suits. We can help you understand your hearing loss and explain what hearing aid models will best suit your needs.
Lifestyle and work, living with hearing aids
Your life style and type of employment will influence what hearing aid is best for you. Some people, for example, love sports. Some people work in noisy environments. Ask these questions.
- What activities are most affected by my hearing loss?
- What aren’t you able to do because of your hearing loss?
We can help you explore your lifestyle and work considerations so you get the best type and fit of hearing aid.
Hearing Aid Technology
Sound quality is perhaps the most important consideration when selecting a hearing aid. We will help you assess the level of technology you need.
Handling your Hearing Aids
The smallest hearing instruments are the most discreet, but they are, well, small. If your eyesight or dexterity is less than perfect, then you may find ‘tiny’ hearing aids challenging. Some new instruments adjust automatically or through a remote control. Let’s chat about your choices.
Hearing Aid Styles and Appearance
Hearing instruments come in many styles and sizes, from tiny, completely-in-the-canal models to those that sit behind the ear. Some people are more concerned than others about appearance. Even factors like your hair style can influence your decision. We can explain the pros and cons of different styles and sizes.
Physical factors of Hearing Aids
Physical factors can also influence your selection of a hearing instrument, including the shape and size of your outer ear and ear canal. For example, if your canal is extremely narrow, in-the-canal instruments may not work for you. We can help you learn more about this.
One ear or two?
You might only have a hearing problem in one ear so do you need hearing aids in just that ear? Two ears are better than one, since binaural, or two-ear hearing, is what helps us determine where sounds are coming from, and to distinguish between competing sounds more easily. If you have a hearing loss in only one ear, you may be fine with one hearing instrument. But if you have hearing loss in both ears, you’ll need a binaural approach.
Today, about two-thirds of new purchasers opt for dual hearing instruments. As a group, they report a higher level of satisfaction than purchasers of a single instrument. We can discuss the pros and cons of ‘one ear or two’ with you.