Choosing a hearing aid is one of the most important decisions someone suffering from hearing loss will ever. Therefore, it’s important to take the time to choose wisely. When considering a hearing aid, there are a few things to take into consideration, such as:

1. Which type of hearing aid you want

This is probably one of the most difficult decisions to make when it comes to choosing a hearing aid. It depends a lot on your degree of hearing loss, lifestyle (very active, less active, etc.), cosmetic preferences, for example. Hearing aids vary in design and functionality and can be categorized as: A) Completely in the Canal (CIC): the hearing aid is tiny and almost invisible, fitting directly inside the ear canal. B) In the Canal (ITC): fits in the canal but not as deeply as the CIC type. C) Half Shell: custom molded to the bottom portion of the outer ear – basically a larger version of an ITC. D) Full Shell: custom molded and fits the whole outer ear bowl. E) Behind the Ear (BTE): the device hooks over the top of the ear and rests behind it. F) Open Fit: a much smaller BTE device by which sound is directed from the device via a wire or tube that’s been directly placed in the ear canal.

2. How much it will cost

This is an important consideration when choosing a hearing aid. Hearing aids can vary tremendously in price, ranging from a few hundred dollars up to a few thousand. It’s important to know what your budget is before you decide on yours.

3. Which technology to go for

Hearing aids come in 2 types: analog and digital. Analog hearing aids are generally cheaper. Analog aids are being gradually phased out and generally aren’t as effective as digital ones. Once again, it’s good know about what options are available to you when you go about choosing a hearing aid.

There are pros and cons to every hearing device, so you should keep them in mind when choosing a hearing aid. For example:

-       CIC: Pros: nearly invisible, less wind disturbance, easy to use with telephones. Cons: battery life, no extra features such as volume control.

-       ITC: Pros: not very visible in the ear, easy to use with telephones. Cons: small size makes it harder to adjust the volume, may not fit properly in smaller ears.

-       Half Shell: Pros: usually comes with extras such as additional microphones and volume control, easy to handle, fits most ears. Cons: more visible than in ear canal models.

-       Full Shell: Pros: usually comes with extras such as additional microphones and volume control, easy to handle, fits most ears, uses larger batteries that last longer. Cons: quite visible, more susceptible to picking up wind noise.

-       BTE: Pros: quite powerful with greater amplification. Cons: usually very visible.

-       Open Fit: Pros: less visible, doesn’t block the ear canal. Cons: small batteries resulting in shorter battery life, no extra features such as volume control.

Please remember that when choosing a hearing aid, it’s important to consult your doctor and your hearing specialist before making a decision.

Sources: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, About.com, Nicholas Hurd