Which Hearing Aid Is Best For Moderate Hearing Loss

What Is Unilateral Hearing Loss

What type of hearing aid works for moderate hearing loss?

A unilateral hearing loss occurs when hearing in one ear is within normal limits, while hearing in the other ear has some degree of reduction in hearing. Unilateral hearing loss can range from mild to profound in severity. You can have unilateral hearing loss from birth, or hearing loss can develop later in life, suddenly or gradually.

How To Detect Hearing Loss Degree

At this point, you might want to know how you can detect what degree of hearing loss someone is facing. Youll have to sit down with a professional or audiologist to take different tests and screenings, and in this specific case, the evaluation is known as an audiogram. An audiogram shows the softest sounds you could hear during the test on a graph.

To find out the degree of hearing loss, it is needed to determine the hearing thresholds of a person. The hearing threshold means the lowest level sound they can listen to 50% of the time or more. And you already know what the hearing thresholds are for mild and moderate hearing loss. The threshold for severe hearing loss is 70-90 dB, and which is profound hearing loss.

In this test, the audiologist will make you wear earphones and direct sounds into one ear at a time. Sounds of various tones and ranges will be presented to you, and youll have to signal if you hear any sound. A particular tone is presented at different volumes, so it can be determined at which point you can no longer detect the sound in the case of that tone. Various tones and dB levels are used to determine the hearing loss degree for each ear.

Make A Purchase Based On Your Individual Hearing Needs

Once youve decided whether youll purchase online or in person, and once youve had your hearing tested , then its time to choose a hearing aid and any accessories. The world of hearing aids is quite complex, so it really is best to ask for a recommendation from an audiologist. You may not go with the recommended brand, but you should definitely pay attention to the style of hearing aids and the specific features that are recommended for you.

Questions to Ask an Audiologist About Your Hearing Needs:

What fits are appropriate for my level of hearing loss?
Whats the minimum number of programs I should have, and should I look for specific types of programs or a specific number of channels?
Should I get a premium-level set of hearing aids, or will I do well with a relatively low number of programs and less technology?
Do you think I should use a hearing aid with a telecoil and/or Bluetooth streaming?
Do you think I need a particular kind of external microphone accessory?

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The Difference Between Hearing Aids And Otc Hearing Amplifiers

First and foremost, its essential to know that there is no such thing as over-the-counter hearing aids currently being sold in the United States. The FDA has not yet approved any over-the-counter hearing aids for sale, which means any hearing device you can simply buy in a store without input from a specialist is not a hearing aid- its a personal sound amplifier product .

PSAPs function differently than hearing aids and amplify all sounds rather than specific ones. Theyre also not customizable and present a risk of over-amplification that can cause hearing damage and exacerbate existing hearing loss. PSAPs are not recommended for people with hearing loss rather, theyre meant for someone without hearing loss to wear in certain situations when necessary.

The FDA is in the process of approving over-the-counter hearing aids. However, even once these are approved, we recommend still working with an audiologist when possible. Without professional input, youll still run a higher risk of exacerbating hearing problems or simply not using your devices to the maximum benefit.

How To Choose The Best High

You can choose the best high-frequency hearing aids for you by going with one from the list. But you can also choose one for yourself by researching the available products in the market, and going for one based on your needs and preferences.

At present, with the advancement of hearing aid technology, hearing aids offer a lot of features that can make your life more convenient. You can choose which features you need and then go for hearing aids with those features. Also, in particular, while you are buying hearing aids for high-frequency hearing loss, youll need those that provide good-quality frequency-lowering technology. Make sure to get hearing aids that provide suitable sound adjustment options.

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What Tests Are Necessary Before Selecting A Hearing Aid

Audiometric evaluation — determine type , degree, and frequency slope. Determine word recognition score with and without amplification. The evaluation should be able to predict the amount of benefit of a hearing aid, in terms of speech comprehension. Many times an office may have a unit that you can try in the office. While this will not be as good as a custom fitted hearing aid, it will give you an idea whether or not it is a good idea to proceed.

Otologic evaluation — determines whether medical or surgical treatment is possible . Approximately 5% to 10% of adult hearing problems are medically or surgically treatable. The percentage is higher in children if middle ear disease, such as ear infection, is the cause

Medical clearance is advisable before purchasing a hearing aid. We have encountered individuals who were fitted with a hearing aid, not knowing that they had a tumor of the hearing nerve. In general, persons with an unexplained unilateral hearing loss deserve a medical evaluation.

What Is Considered Mild Hearing Loss

Technically speaking, mild hearing loss is difficulty hearing at a level of 26 to 40 decibels. If you experience mild hearing loss, you may have trouble hearing:

Whispering
Conversations amid background noise
Ambient noise, like refrigerators or water flowing in a stream

Itâs important to focus more on how hearing loss is affecting you than on classifications like âmild,â Catherine Palmer, PhD, professor and director of audiology and hearing aids at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, tells WebMD Connect to Care.

âIt is not a very useful term because an individual who is experiencing communication challenges who has hearing in this range does not consider this a âmildâ problem,â Palmer says. Hearing loss can interfere with work and school, cause loneliness and depression, and disrupt relationships. For children, even âmildâ hearing loss can cause developmental trouble and difficulty making friends.

How Do I Know If I Need A Hearing Aid

Unless a doctor or audiologist has recommended hearing aids, you may not know if you need a pair. But, if you’re noticing hearing loss in one or both ears, it might be time to consider hearing aids.

Some signs of hearing loss to be aware of include:

shouting when talking
requiring electronic devices to be turned up louder than normal
asking people to repeat themselves because you can’t hear or understand what they are saying
straining to hear
ability to hear better out of one ear
difficulty hearing people on the phone
certain sounds and voices sound muffled

If you’re experiencing any signs or symptoms of hearing loss, consider seeing a doctor or hearing specialist. They can perform a hearing test to determine the degree of hearing loss and recommend different hearing styles and brands.

Most Healthcare Insurance Policies Dont Cover Hearing Aids

Do I need Hearing Aids for a Mild Hearing Loss?

Unfortunately, most insurance companies dont fully cover hearing aids since they see them as elective rather than a necessity. The reason is that insurance companies tend to insure things that are unlikely to happen naturally, such as accidents, and they typically dont insure things that are likely to happen due to age.

In the United States, 48 million people are affected by hearing loss, so the odds of someone claiming hearing loss benefits from their insurer is high. Nevertheless, some insurance companies cover other things related to hearing loss, such as diagnostics and balance exams, such as Medicare Part B.

However, there is hope for affordable hearing aids in the future, as the US government is taking the initiative to promote over-the-counter hearing aids to ease Americans wallets. These hearing aids would be programmable, so you can take them to a hearing specialist to fit them to your hearing needs. Most recently, the Biden administration signed an executive order to address this.

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Best Budget: Audacious Dia Ii

This hearing aid from Audicus is one of the more affordable options on the market and has multiple financing options: shop now or enroll in a monthly membership. Its ideal for mild to moderate hearing loss and is a discreet behind-the-ear device that adapts to your environment while filtering out any unnecessary noise. It also has all the bells and whistles, including adjustment channels, directional microphones, and more. If the Dia II doesnt seem like the right fit, no worries, you have up to 45 days to return it.

The Eargo Max is a great introduction for those experiencing the early stages of hearing loss and looking to use a hearing aid for the first time. Known for their sleek and functional design, the Eargo Max recharges much like AirPods to last you throughout the day and provide great sound amplification while reducing feedback. It also comes with four different sound profiles and will remember which one you like best. If you decide the hearing aid doesnt suit you within 45 days, you can easily return it, and it comes with a one-year warranty.

How Do Hearing Aids Work

Hearing aids are worn in or behind your ear. They are designed to make some sounds louder by magnifying sound vibrations entering the ear, which helps improve your hearing and speech comprehension. How a hearing aid works is fairly simple to understand. First, a microphone inside the hearing aid picks up nearby sounds. These sounds are analyzed and converted to electrical signals based on your hearing loss, which are then sent to the amplifier. The amplified sounds are sent to the speaker or receiver, which are transmitted to the inner ear by a tube or thin wire. Once in the inner ear, the sounds are transformed into electrical impulses that your brain processes into sound.

Resound Hearing Aids Customization

ReSound LiNX Quattro line of hearing aids offers custom-made models that are measured to match a particular users ears. This enables the hearing aid to use the ears anatomy to collect sound for a more natural listening experience, as well as provide a more discreet fit.

Custom hearing aids require a visit with a hearing care professional. The hearing specialist creates an earmold of the users ear by using 3D scans of the ear or taking a manual impression using silicone. The earmolds are sent to ReSounds laboratory where they are turned into shells of the hearing aid using 3D printing. The components of the hearing aids are then built inside the shells.

ReSounds custom hearing aids are available in several color options and styles including:

Invisible-in-canal
Mic-in-Helix

How Youll Get One

If you dont already know an ear, nose, and throat doctor , ask your regular doctor to send you to one. This specialist can evaluate and treat your hearing loss.

The ENT will do an exam to find out whats causing your trouble. You also will see an audiologist who will do tests to find out the type of hearing loss you have and how bad it is.

These specialists can give you a hearing aid if you need one. Avoid mail-order hearing aids. They often don’t fit well and don’t improve your hearing enough.

If you have hearing loss in both ears, its probably best to wear two hearing aids.

Continued

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How To Choose A Hearing Aid For Moderate To Severe Hearing Loss

While there is no doubt that an advanced hearing aid is the best way to treat moderate to severe hearing loss, you need to pick a hearing aid from a host of options available on the market.

Here are some things you could consider before choosing the best hearing aid model that will suit your requirements.

Do You Want Your Hearing Aid To Be Visible?

While hearing loss is a pretty common disease, some people dont like to show off their hearing device as it could attract unwanted attention.

On the other hand, some people embrace their disability and flaunt their hearing aid by customizing it with various colours and styles. Hearing aids are basically like another piece of clothing that you wear on your body.

You can choose your style and colour, and can also decide if you want it to be visible or not. It may seem like a simple or ignorable topic however, if you arent ready to answer questions about the hearing aid and your disability, its better to be prepared.

Do You Maintain An Outdoor or Indoor Lifestyle?

Do you prefer being watching TV at home or going to a pub on Saturday nights? The choice of your hearing aid should complement your lifestyle.

For example, if you like going out a lot, the background noises increase, which is generally the most common pain point while hearing conversations. So, ensure you choose a hearing aid model that can reduce background noise and enhance speech.

Do You Want To Sync Smartphone To The Hearing Aid?

How Is Your Work Environment?

What To Look For In A Hearing Aid

Comfort: Since youll likely be wearing your hearing aids for a decent amount of time, you want to make sure they fit comfortably in your ear and dont become an annoyance. Hearing aids that come with sleeves are ideal and can fit better to the natural curve of your ears.

Focus: Hearing aids should help you zoom in on the voices you want to hear, so make sure to choose one that takes extra care to cut out excess noise in order to help you focus on the sounds that are most important to you.

Trial Periods: Take advantage of trial periods and test as many hearing aids as you can. Its important to remember that getting used to a hearing aid takes time and if you’ve been missing amplification for a while it’s going to take a while to get adjusted. So I think one big tip is just not to be worried and try them, confirms Dr. Wichova.

What Level Of Hearing Loss Requires A Hearing Aid

If you suspect you may be experiencing hearing loss, you may wonder whether a hearing aid is in your future. Your audiologist, or hearing specialist, will diagnose your level of hearing loss with an audiogram, a test used to identify the quietest sounds you can hear, measured in decibels. Your hearing specialist may also assess how easily you hear words against background noise, Dave Fabry, AuD, chief innovation officer at Starkey Hearing Technologies in Eden Prairie, Minn., tells WebMD Connect to Care. The level of hearing loss you experience will determine whether a hearing aid is necessary.

Eargo Hearing Aids Review

How Technology Helps (Moderate Hearing Loss)

Best for Comfortable In-Ear Hearing Aids

Eargo offers some of the least visible completely-in-canal hearing aids available, and unlike the majority of other hearing aid brands, all four Eargo models are rechargeable. But what makes this brand unique is its approach to inner-ear comfort and sound amplification.

Featuring soft silicone earpieces that are suspended within the ear canal rather than plugging it, Eargo hearing aids give users with mild to moderate hearing loss a far more breathable option than ever before. Eargos Flexi earpieces fit deep inside the ear, hiding the hearing aid from view, and they leave plenty of room for bass-heavy sounds to travel into the wearers eardrum unamplified while only high-treble sounds are picked up and aided by the device. The result is natural sound and unrivaled comfort.

Eargo hearing aids are sold directly to consumers via the companys website, Eargo.com. Though these hearing aids are not pre-programmed using individuals audiogram results, Eargo offers a capable and user-friendly app through which users can program their devices and reach Eargo hearing specialists.

Eargo Hearing Aid Device Features

Features

Eargo Max hearing aids retail at $1,500 for a set of two and come with ten extra Flexi Fiber earpieces.

A set of Eargo Neo hearing aids retails at $2,000 and comes with six medium-sized Flexi Palm earpiece replacements.

Neo HiFi

Eargo 5

Pros and Cons of the Eargo Hearing Aid Brand

Pros

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Complete In Canal Hearing Aid Reviews

Just like other technology-based industries, reducing the size of technological components has led to many innovations. For the hearing aid industry, these technological improvements have been created completely in canal hearing aids. As a result, many hearing aid companies have begun to focus completely in canal hearing aids, easily find CIC hearing aids over-the-counter.

Do You Have Problems With Dexterity

If you have dexterity issues , its usually better to avoid smaller devices. Low-profile ITE or BTE devices with earmolds might be suitable because they are the largest instruments and easiest to handle. Additionally, the batteries will be the largestsize 13 or 675 which will allow for simpler battery swaps. Some BTE models come with rechargeable batteries, which are easy to use. Lastly, hearing aids that come with automated features should also be considered so you don’t have to use the tiny buttons to adjust the volume. You may also want to talk to your hearing care practitioner about the possibility of a remote control if the volume or program controls on your hearing aids are difficult to use. More:All about hearing aid batteries.