Hearing loss can be a challenging experience, but hearing aids can greatly improve an individual’s ability to communicate and engage with the world around them. The process of selecting the right hearing aids can be exciting with the help of an audiologist, as there are many types, styles and features to choose from. An audiologist at HEARINC will schedule your first hearing aid evaluation. The appointment will go over the many benefits of owning a hearing device. Everyone’s listening habits are unique, so this is a good time to find the right device to suit your preferences.
Why it Matters
The hearing aid evaluation determines if you’re a good candidate for a specific hearing aid. There are pros to certain models, and not every individual will be a match with every style. Patients should think of the evaluation as a test run for the many different devices on the market. In order to suit specific hearing needs, the audiologist has to find the most effective hearing device for the job. That leads to questions about comfort, fit and features. There is no universal prescription for hearing aids, so a little patience goes a long way during the hearing aid evaluation process.
Hearing Aid Choices
At this point the audiologist has made it clear that a hearing aid is necessary for the recovery of your hearing health. They will guide you through the many different brands, models and styles available. Every company has their own proprietary features, each with a specific set of strengths and weaknesses. It can be overwhelming at first, but your audiologist will summarize the most important aspects of the available choices.
One of the most frequently asked questions during the evaluation is related to hearing aid styles. A hearing aid does not have to be visible to be effective. That means a device that rests in your ear canal is no less powerful than larger styles. When privacy is a concern, the style option is an important discussion point. The most common styles include:
- In the ear (ITE)
- Behind the ear (BTE)
- In the canal (ITC)
- Completely in canal (CIC)
- Invisible in canal (IIC)
Custom Earmolds
Custom earmolds apply to all styles of hearing aids, even those that sit directly in the canal. A custom fit guarantees the best experience with any hearing aid. This is the biggest difference between a generic hearing device and a prescription hearing aid. An exact mold of each ear is made to accommodate the hearing aid chosen during the evaluation. Without a custom earmold, air and sound can escape during daily operation. This causes sound distortion, incorrect profile switching and many other unresolvable errors.
Sound isolation is not the only reason to show preference for custom earmolds. A comfortable fit makes a world of difference when wearing a device in your ear for the entire day. For many patients, the comfort level makes or breaks their purchase decision.