Top 5 Hearing Aids To Buy
Hearing loss is caused by many factors, and is much more common of an issue than most Americans realize. There are many degrees to hearing loss. Some individuals only experience hearing loss in one ear, while others are unable to hear without assistance.
Being unable to hear is a serious issue. Not only does it make basic conversations easier, but it is much easier to miss important details, such as hearing warning alarms around the house. The sense of isolation from hearing loss can also lead to other physical and mental health difficulties.
Many individuals who do not experience total hearing loss incorrectly believe they cannot purchase hearing aids. Hearing aids are available for anyone who is hard of hearing. Over the last several years, there have been significant advancement with hearing aid technology. Many companies are producing hearing aids, giving customers plenty of affordable options to choose from. Listed below are five of the best hearing aids to consider.
No Prescription Needed for OTC Hearing Aids
Starting in October 2022, people will be able to purchase hearing aids over the counter without a prescription. This is great news for those who have difficulty hearing but cannot afford to purchase a hearing aid through traditional means. The average cost of over the counter hearing aids ranges from $60-$300, depending on the brand.
Some of the most popular over the counter hearing aid brands include Signia, Go Hearing, Lexie, Sony, Eargo, and Hearing Assist. While over the counter hearing aids may not be as sophisticated as their prescription counterparts, they still offer a significant improvement in quality of life for those with hearing loss.
Importance of Getting Hearing Tests
It is important to consider getting a hearing aid test before you purchase hearing aids. Hearing aid tests can be completed at most hearing aid centers or through hearing aid doctors. This test will evaluate how well you hear different frequencies and how well you understand speech. The results of this test will help the hearing professional determine which type and size of hearing aid is right for you.
In addition, the hearing professional will be able to provide you with information on how to care for your hearing aid and how to troubleshoot any problems that you may have. Therefore, it is important to consult with a hearing professional before you get fitted for a hearing aid.
Where to Buy OTC Hearing Aids
There are a few places that you can buy hearing aids over the counter. However, it is best to go to a retailer that specializes in selling them. This way, you can be sure that you are getting a quality product. You will also be able to ask the staff any questions that you may have. The average savings of buying a hearing aid at a retailer is 20-30%.
Some of the places that you can purchase hearing aids include Walmart, Costco, Best Buy, and Amazon. You can also find many retailers online. When looking for a retailer, it is important to read reviews to ensure that you are getting a quality product. It is also important to find a retailer that offers a warranty on their products. This way, if you have any problems with your hearing aid, you can return it for a replacement or refund.
No matter where you purchase your hearing aid, be sure to ask about the return policy. This way, if you are not satisfied with the product, you can return it without any hassle. With so many places to buy hearing aids these days, there is no reason why you should not be able to find one that meets your needs and budget.
How To Find Hearing Aid Doctors For Hearing Aid Fittings
If you're having trouble hearing, the first step is to visit a hearing doctor. Hearing doctors are specifically trained to evaluate hearing and prescribe hearing aids. They can also provide other services, such as hearing aid fittings and repairs. When you visit a hearing doctor, they will first perform a hearing test. This will help them to determine the severity of your hearing loss and what type of hearing aid would be best for you.
Hearing Aid doctors will also take into account your lifestyle and budget when making their recommendation. In addition to prescribing hearing aids, hearing doctors can also provide counseling and support. They can answer any questions you have about hearing loss and living with hearing aids. If you're having trouble finding a hearing doctor in your area, you can search online or ask your primary care doctor for a referral. Once you've found a few options, it's important to do your research to make sure you're choosing a reputable provider. You can read online reviews, check with your local Better Business Bureau, or ask friends and family for recommendations. When you've found a hearing doctor you're comfortable with, you can schedule an appointment and get started on the road to better hearing.
Best Hearing Aid Brands to Consider
Check out some of the top names in hearing aid brands for fit, cost, features and more. You can find many ratings, video reviews online to research more!
Signia Pure Charge&Go X
Signia is one of the older hearing aid companies. They have always stayed on top of the latest technological trends, leading to some of the most effective hearing aids currently on the market. In addition to utilizing new technology, Signa focuses on designing sleek, fashionable hearing aids. Not only are these stylish, but it leads to smaller units, which are less cumbersome to bear. It is also good for anyone who feels self-conscious about wearing a hearing aid.
The newest Charge&Go model utilizes acoustic motion sensors. These sensors are adaptive, changing hearing range based on the level of volume. This makes it easier to pick up background noise, whether you are staying still or on the go. It also boasts a significantly stronger battery love compared to other Signia products, which has been an issue in the past. Finally, it comes with an easy to use rocker switch, allowing you to make subtle volume adjustments without having to login to an app on another device.
The biggest downside to Signia products is the price. The Charge&Go is one of the pricier hearing aids on the market, costing around $1600 to $1700, depending on where you shop.
Phonak Audéo Marvel
Phonak is a smaller company owned by Sonova, one of the biggest manufacturers of hearing products. Phonak often works alongside Sonova to develop additional accessories for their hearing aids. Phonak’s Audéo Marvel gained attention for being the first hearing aid to allow direct-streaming from any Bluetooth device. Previously, this was limited solely to Apple products.
In terms of additional features, it is hard to find a hearing aid with more options. Using a Phonak app, you can directly control volume, directional and focus levels of your Audéo Marvel. There are also options to automatically adjust and optimize settings as volume changes. Another useful feature is you can set up hands-free calling with your phone, allowing you to easily switch from general hearing to phone calls with the press of a button.
There are multiple products in the Audéo Marvel line. The newest ones typically cost around $1400, while the older models are closer to $900 to $1000.
Oticon Opn S
Oticon is a newer hearing aid company, but it has made a splash thanks to their unique Opn line. The Oticon Opn S uses a unique Velox chip to sort between different types of noise. Older Oticon products also had this chip, but the newest model is much more effective, able to distinguish between speech and background noises, automatically adjusting your settings accordingly based on the situation. It also uses OpenSound Optimizer, which cancels out unnecessary sounds and prevents any feedback while you are using your hearing aid.
Oticon hearing aids are fairly expensive, with the Opn S being one of the highest price models. On average, it costs $2500 to purchase a new pair of Opn S hearing aids. While this may seem expensive, for many, the price is worth the higher quality audio filtration.
Widex Moment
Widex is partnered with another hearing care provider, Sivantos. There are many great features to the Widex Moment, including one of the longest battery life of any other hearing aid. A feature unique to Widex products is machine-learning products. This allows the hearing aids to study your listening preferences and when you change the volume levels. Over time, the hearing aids adapt to your changes. Widex products also use fractal tones to minimize negative effects from tinnitus. The hearing aids also utilize ZeroDelay and PureSound technology to provide top of the line sound quality.
Widex Moment originally released around $2000, but as of writing, it is much easier to find on sale. You can expect to pay around $1400 to $1500 on average.
Starkey Livio AI
Many of Starkey’s hearing aids are designed with the elderly in mind. One of the helpful features for seniors is fall detection, which can send out an alert if you suffer an accident and are unable to get up. Another feature aimed at seniors is the Thrive app. In addition to monitoring levels, the app also has components to monitor physical and mental activity.
The Livio AI line of hearing aids were first released at $3500, making it one of the higher costing Starkey products. The price has dropped by over $1000 since then, and depending on your dealer, you may be able to get even more discounts.
