“I’m worried about my hearing but am unsure which hearing aid to buy. Which is the best one?
“My audiologist recommended hearing aids from Brand X. Are these the best ones?”
People ask me questions like this all the time, mostly people new to the hearing loss experience, either about themselves or a family member and my answer is always the same.
The best hearing aid is the one that the person will wear consistently.
Specifics of what that means will vary based on the person’s lifestyle, degree/type of hearing loss, and communication goals, but if someone doesn’t wear their hearing aids, they are useless.
Choosing the Best Hearing Aid is Complicated
Hearing devices are not a perfect solution for hearing loss, but they are a critical step. Consistent wear is important. Steady use enables the brain to acclimate to its new sound environment, giving the wearer the best chance of communicating well in the widest array of listening situations.
Choosing a hearing aid can be tricky, especially if you are new to the process. A qualified hearing care professional (HCP) will make recommendations based on your hearing loss. The best ones will endorse devices that value lifestyle factors and patient preferences while also meeting the technical aspects of the audiogram. When HCPs don’t include all of these items, the devices may end up in the proverbial drawer gathering dust.
Factors Impacting Consistent Hearing Aid Use
What makes a person wear hearing aids consistently? The list is as varied as there are people with hearing loss, but the following categories are likely important to almost everyone.
1. Pleasing in comfort and appearance
While I think hearing aids are cool, stigma can be a hard factor to overcome for first-time users. They may want their devices to be as invisible as possible. The degree and type of hearing loss may limit the form factor options for some people. Still, if the hearing loss allows, I see no shame in honoring a consumer’s desire for small devices if it increases the chances that they will be worn regularly.
Comfort is also critical for consistent use. If a consumer’s earmolds don’t fit snugly and securely in the ear or if they create irritations on the skin, hearing aid use will suffer.
2. Equipped to help in difficult listening environments
When hearing aids are helpful in a wide variety of situations, people will want to wear them consistently. That is why including Bluetooth and telecoil functionality in the devices is important. Hearing aids alone will help with speech comprehension in quiet, but for noisier environments or when the speaker is far away, these other technologies are a big help.
For example, Bluetooth lets users stream audio content and take telephone calls directly to their devices. Telecoil helps them access loop systems in theaters and other public spaces. The best HCPs will explain how and when each feature is useful. While most people will understand Bluetooth connectivity, they may not be familiar with telecoils unless educated by their HCP.
3. Usable with other assistive listening devices
The best HCPs will educate their clients about all the ways they can make their hearing aids more adaptable, an important factor in consistent use. For example, pairing hearing aids to a remote microphone can help bring a speaker’s voice directly to your ears at a lecture, in-person class, or noisy cocktail party. Captioning is also useful for filling in auditory blanks on video conferencing platforms, FaceTime, and in conversations with others.
4. Combined with softer skills
Versatility is the key to consistent use. To get the most out of our hearing devices, they must be paired with softer skills like an improved mental attitude about hearing loss and behavioral changes like using communication best practices. The best HCPs will look beyond the technology to incorporate these important skill sets in their recommendations and counseling.
For more information on all aspects of skillful living with hearing loss, read Hear & Beyond: Live Skillfully with Hearing Loss.
Meet Consumers Where They Are
The right hearing aid will not be the same for every client. To encourage consistent wear, practitioners must meet consumers where they are. The best HCPs will recommend devices that meet each person’s list of must-haves within the context of the technologies that are available and suitable for their hearing loss.
Readers, how do you answer the question, “What is the best hearing aid?”
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This is a helpful article! I hope many people who are new to hearing aids, or thinking about getting a first pair, will read it! My one suggestion is that newcomers may not understand abbreviations such as HCP (hearing care provider). Such initials vary, such as HAT (hearing aid technician) and HAS (hearing aid specialist), Au.M. (master of audiology), and Au.D.(doctor of audiology). All are professionals (trained, and licensed by their state) to sell and advise on using hearing aid appliances. “Au’s” are audiologists who have advanced academic training; “T’s” are technicians who have on-the-job-training and have passed a test. Many technicians who have practiced for years are very skilled at their tasks, despite a shorter training.
It can be confusing! That is why I define HCP when first used. Hopefully that makes it easier for the reader. Thank you for your comment.
I would say that a basic requirement for every hearing aid today (OTC or prescription) is support for Auracast. Auracast is the wireless (Bluetooth) replacement for the T-Coil (telecoil).
Agreed, but the replacement cycle may take years. It is important that hearing aids also work with today’s installed technologies. Thank you for your comment.
Finding the right audiologist is key. I’ve tried various models over the years spending a thousands of dollars only to get frustrated with them and give up. My current audiologist has been letting me try different models for a few weeks at a time and has really helped me determine what fits and doesn’t. Although the trial aids don’t have all the bells and whistles so to speak, and aren’t programmed specifically for me, I feel that it is helping me make a better decision. It’s a process!
It is a process! Glad your process is working well this time. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
So you do! (define it, that is)
😀
I agree with Eileen, having a good audiologist is so important!
I love mine but they only have a contract with Oticon and Phonak. So I’ve only ever had aids by those two.
So true, especially for people with higher degrees of hearing loss! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.