There are around 28.3 million adults in the USA that could benefit from wearing a hearing aid. That 28.3 million accounts for about 12% of the total adult population in America. It’s not just those with hearing loss that can benefit from the use of a hearing aid either. People who have tinnitus can also see an improvement by using a hearing aid.
Hearing aids come in many different types and price ranges, so it is essential that you discuss your hearing aid needs with an audiologist. They will be able to help you choose the right hearing aid within your budget.
Most advanced hearing aids that come with Bluetooth and other modern features tend to be higher in the price bracket than basic hearing aids. In the end, though, all hearing aids have seen a significant improvement in the last few years.
It is worth noting that the quality of the microphones, speakers and processors has all improved while the overall price for a hearing aid has declined.
The First Step In Finding An Affordable Hearing Aid
The first step in finding an affordable hearing aid is booking a hearing examination. This will be your opportunity to be presented with the hearing aids that are the best choice for you. Once you have your hearing exam results, you can research all the options and decide on a hearing aid that meets your requirements.
What If I Don’t Get A Hearing Aid?
It is vital that if your test results show that you need a hearing aid, you take every step possible to get one. Living without a hearing aid can cause cognitive function issues, depression, isolation, anxiety and work stress. In the long run, the impact of choosing not to get a hearing aid can see you covering medical bills for the other ailments that are associated with hearing loss.
Affordability And Hearing Aid Technology
A hearing aid’s basic job is to take in a sound signal, digitally process it and then transmit an improved signal through the ear canal, allowing a person with hearing loss to better detect incoming noises. However, due to technological advancement, there are now a variety of other options available, all of which, of course, have an impact on pricing. When you are looking for an affordable hearing aid, here are the basic features you should look for.
FM Radio And Telecoils
It is often the case that basic hearing aids come with the features to allow patients to connect wirelessly to FM radio or receive cell phone signals to their hearing aid by telecoils. Having this in-built technology means that there is no need for a microphone to process the incoming sounds.
Channels
A hearing aid uses something called channels to process the incoming sounds. Several channels divide the audio spectrum and boost specific portions of it based on the patient’s demands, allowing for pitch and frequency tailoring. Basic models may only allow you to create two channels, while more complex models may allow you to program eight or more.
Depending on the type and level of hearing loss, more refined control over the increased noise types can help deliver a better audio experience.
Feedback Management
Hearing aids have both a speaker and a microphone, which means they can occasionally give out unpleasant feedback noises. Feedback is usually heard as a high-pitched squeal or whistling. A feedback management system will turn down the amplification which reduces the issue. A more advanced hearing aid may eliminate the feedback.
Warranty
When looking at different hearing aid options, don’t be tempted to buy a cheap unit that your audiologist hasn’t presented. These hearing aids don’t usually come with a warranty and can do more damage than good.
Trial
Before you commit to any hearing aid, ask if free trials are available. It is essential to try as many hearing aids within your budget as possible so that you can get an idea of the difference in sound quality and comfort in different brackets.
You can discuss all of your requirements and work with your audiologist to get a suitable hearing device for you. Get in touch with Kampsen Hearing at (813) 369-5692 today!