Which style of hearing aid is best for my type of hearing loss?
Should I choose rechargeable or traditional battery hearing aids?
Do I need streaming accessories with my hearing aids, or can I accomplish everything I need via a smartphone app?

Lifestyle

Your lifestyle is a key factor in determining the best hearing aid because certain hearing aid styles are going to be more conducive to more active lifestyles. If you spend a lot of time outdoors or doing physical activities, a smaller hearing aid with more protective features may be a better choice for you. Additionally, some devices are very small and can be harder to handle for those with dexterity issues, so a larger device may be a better option for those folks.

Your hobbies and other ways you spend your time may also affect the type of hearing aid that’s best for you. For example, some hearing aids are better suited for hearing conversation in loud environments or may have additional features to support those who talk on the phone a lot.

When you meet with your hearing care provider to discuss hearing aids, they will bring a variety of questions to help them understand your lifestyle and make a more educated recommendation for the style of hearing aid that will balance your lifestyle with your hearing loss severity.

Hearing Loss Level

One of the more critical things to consider when picking hearing aids is how severe your hearing loss is because not every device style can support every level of hearing loss. Some devices are much larger than others and work in a slightly different way, so, in general, the more severe your hearing loss, the larger your device needs to be to support your hearing needs. But, there are exceptions to that rule, so if you have severe hearing loss and want a device that’s as small as possible, there are options.

Also, some cases of hearing loss are so severe that a hearing aid just won’t support what you need, and something like surgery and a cochlear implant may be the only option to treat the hearing loss. So, a hearing test is the best way to determine how severe your hearing loss is, and once you know that information, you can narrow down your hearing aid options with help from your hearing care provider.

Behind-the-Ear—Small, easy to wear all day, and budget-friendly, this device matches your hair and complexion, so it is easily hidden.
Receiver-in-Ear—Virtually invisible, featuring a tiny casing that hides behind your ear and connects via a miniature transparent tube to a tiny component in your ear canal.
Custom—Some of the smallest styles available that are custom-made to fit your ear anatomy for the best comfort and sound quality, including Invisible-in-Canal (IIC),Completely-in-Canal (CIC),In-the-Canal (ITC) and In-the-Ear (ITE) styles.

The latest, conveniently rechargeable battery models vs. models with traditional changeable batteries
Cutting-edge sound processing features that can handle a variety of sound environments
Wireless streaming and controls for phone calls, music and more
Apps and accessories to further enhance your hearing experience
Perhaps most important of all, ongoing care and support for your hearing aids following your purchase