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Selecting a hearing aid shouldn't be a snap decision. There are a number of factors that have to be considered if you are to find the kind that is right for you.
If you are thinking of getting a hearing aid, here are a few tips from experts:
• Have a licensed audiologist or dispenser perform a complete hearing evaluation. They will also be able to provide you with a hearing aid if one is called for. Never try to purchase a hearing aid through a TV or magazine ad.
• If the tests suggest that you need a hearing aid, ask to see a range of products and styles so you can make an informed selection.
• When selecting a hearing aid, your focus should be on your lifestyle. Consider the situations you are in every day such as work or in the car where you need to hear better.
• Ask to see a written return policy. Also, ask if there is an orientation and follow-up service included in the price and care plan.
• Remember that hearing aids don't fix or cure hearing loss and they can take getting used to. The best hearing aid for you is the one that delivers improvements in the day-to-day situations that are most important to you.
One of the latest developments in hearing aids providing service, savings and convenience, is a hearing aid that uses rechargeable batteries. Called the GN ReSound Pulse, it offers a full day of use on a fully charged battery. Other features include a battery door that opens automatically as the device is placed in the charger, a compartment for spare batteries and the ability to be powered through the USB port of a PC.
When it comes to sound, the hearing aid offers 30 percent more true useable gain than other models. More useable gain reflects what a person can hear in a real-life situation. More useable gain translates to increased audibility, especially in high frequencies, which means an increased capacity to understand speech.
By: Stacey Moore
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