Yvonne Doyle
Ms Doyle won the 2017 'Irish Audiologist of the Year. The competition is organised by leading hearing aid battery manufacturer Rayovac, a division of Spectrum Brands Holdings Inc., who this year welcomed a new sponsor, The European Federation of Hard of Hearing People (EFHOH), on board, joining longstanding partners Audio Infos, and the European Hearing Instrument Manufacturers Association (EHIMA).
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Tired of making people repeat themselves? Is turning up the volume on the TV no longer enough help? That’s a signal it’s time to get your hearing checked and consider a hearing aid. In the last several years, the technology has advanced tremendously, hearing aids have become less conspicuous and technology has improved. Hearing impairment can cause frustration, social isolation and depression, so hearing aids can greatly improve daily life.
Hearing Aid Levels
First of all, it’s important to understand that hearing aids are available at many different technology levels.
Your Unique Hearing Loss
Everyone hears differently, so it’s important to talk to your provider about a hearing aid that will address your unique needs. Since they know your hearing strengths and weaknesses, they can guide you toward a hearing aid that is the right fit for you. For example, your unique hearing loss is important to keep in mind when looking at the number of channels available in a hearing aid
Your Lifestyle
Lifestyle plays a big part in the type of hearing aid you might need and the features that will be best for you. For example, an individual who works long hours, spends lots of time on the phone, and needs to be able to understand conversation in large meetings has different needs than the person who spends more time at home, who doesn’t use the phone much, and who spends most of their time in quieter environments. Certain features, like advanced speech enhancement or noise reduction, may make more or less of a difference to you based on the activities you participate in most. It’s best to talk to your hearing healthcare specialist about which features are more critical for your unique hearing loss, so you can make an informed decision about your hearing health.
What You Want to Hear
Another important factor to consider is the exact sounds you want to hear. For example, it would be easy to assume that someone with only a slight hearing loss, who is generally in very easy listening environments, would do well with a basic-level hearing aid. However, an individual in that same situation who plays guitar, may want a hearing aid with advanced features that provides more clarity, so they can still enjoy a favorite hobby.
Overall, there are a number of factors to consider when purchasing a hearing aid, from price to lifestyle to your specific hearing needs. That’s why a provider is so important. The right provider will give you a free hearing test and help guide you to the hearing aids that are not only right for your ears, but will also fit your budget and your lifestyle.
Anybody who might be concerned about their hearing, can book a hearing test free of charge at any of Hidden Hearing’s 60 clinics nationwide. Freephone 1800 818 808 or visit www.hiddenhearing.ie.
