Recently, my family and I purchased brand-new appliances for our kitchen.
In my quest to find the perfect appliances for our space, I noticed I was looking less at the specifications, and more so at the appearance of each unit.
Not only was I mainly basing my decision on looks, but also the size (how it would fit in our space), and on customer reviews online.
I began thinking about hearing aid consumers and how they might approach the notion of purchasing a pair of hearing aids.
More than likely, they take a similar approach as I did.
Unfortunately, this isn't always the best idea.
Hearing aid companies are big business, and, just like kitchen appliances, these manufacturers will try to wow you with heavy marketing, flashy appearances, and small sizes.
Oftentimes, a consumer will be heavily swayed by the company's website, or how successful the company appears to be.
However, "looks" do not always equate to great functionality.
And, for most consumers, looking at the hearing aid specifications is like reading a different language! Unless the consumer is an engineer or audiologist, the specifications won't mean a thing.
The bottom line is this: don't try to "pick-out" your own hearing aid.
Unless you are an audiologist or audio engineer, the specifications won't make sense to you.
And, without extensive training, you can never fully understand why a certain hearing aid is or is not appropriate for your hearing loss.
Audiologists are trained to do this.
They know how to look at the full picture.
They base their recommendation on many factors, including your lifestyle, age, social involvement, dexterity, vision, and most importantly...
your audiometric results.
It is kind of like putting together pieces of a puzzle.
If you try to figure this out on your own, you will likely be swayed by mis-information online given by other consumers with very different hearing losses and experiences.
Also you may be wrongly swayed by heavy manufacturer marketing (i.
e.
flashy appearances, discreet sizes etc).
All in all, please don't try to choose your hearing aid on your own.
Don't buy a hearing aid from a catalog or an online store, and don't go to a less than qualified professional to get a better deal, with the wrongful assumption that it's simply the "device" that will help you to hear.
This can't be further from the truth.
A hearing aid alone will not help you to hear as much as your audiologist.
They are trained, rigorously, to understand every type of hearing problem, how it affects a person, which amplification device is best, and how to properly fit that device and work with the patient to ensure a successful outcome.
Many people may have heard negative experiences about hearing aids, but this is likely due to the consumer having (1) unreasonable expectations from the start, (2) trying to be "in charge" of which hearing device is best for him/her, and (3) being impatient and neglecting to realize that positive outcomes are a process that takes some time.
If you have hearing loss and are overwhelmed with how to obtain help, then please contact an audiologist.
They are the best trained individuals to help you on your pathway to better hearing.
Simply visit http://www.
audiology.
org, and click on "Find an Audiologist" on the right-hand side of the page.
Search for an audiologist in your area who has a doctorate in audiology (Au.
D.
degree).
These individuals have the most training and expertise and are best suited to help you with all of your hearing needs.