how to avoid common first time hearing aid purchaser mistakes

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Center for Better Hearing | (518) 6384363 | http://hearingbest.com Discover more great content here: http://twitter.com/CrBetterHearing https://www.facebook.com/CenterforBetterHearing http://www.youtube.com/user/hearingbest http://www.pinterest.com/hearingbest How to Avoid Common First Time Hearing Aid Purchaser Mistakes If you’re shopping for your first hearing aid and finding the process confusing, you are not alone. Consumer Reports published a comparative report on hearing aids after following over a dozen people for six months while purchasing their first hearing aids. What they found was less than satisfying; because they found that two-thirds of the aids were either improperly fitted or that they provided either too much or too little volume. Prices varied widely, and the people selling them did not always provide the kinds of information the shoppers needed. Fortunately, there are a few simple tips you can follow so you can find the most comfortable hearing aid for you and avoid expensive mistakes. This article is too short to provide all the tips that would be useful, so to supplement it we recommend Your Guide to Buying Hearing Aids. The Better Hearing Institute (BHI) is a non-profit that publishes information on hearing loss and its treatment, including this guide and many others. Here are our suggestions: Step 1 – See an audiology professional Make an appointment to see one of our audiology specialists or any other certified hearing specialist in your area. You can be best prepared for your appointment by reviewing the BHI guidelines beforehand. The BHI guidelines will walk you through what you can expect at your first appointment and what questions you may need to ask your specialist.

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Center  for  Better  Hearing  | (518)  638-­‐4363  | http://hearingbest.com  

Discover more great content here: http://twitter.com/CrBetterHearing  

https://www.facebook.com/CenterforBetterHearing  http://www.youtube.com/user/hearingbest  http://www.pinterest.com/hearingbest  

How to Avoid Common First Time Hearing Aid Purchaser Mistakes  

If you’re shopping for your first hearing aid and finding the process confusing, you are not alone. Consumer Reports published a comparative report on hearing aids after following over a dozen people for six months while purchasing their first hearing aids. What they found was less than satisfying; because they found that two-thirds of the aids were either improperly fitted or that they provided either too much or too little volume. Prices varied widely, and the people selling them did not always provide the kinds of information the shoppers needed. Fortunately, there are a few simple tips you can follow so you can find the most comfortable hearing aid for you and avoid expensive mistakes. This article is too short to provide all the tips that would be useful, so to supplement it we recommend Your Guide to Buying Hearing Aids. The Better Hearing Institute (BHI) is a non-profit that publishes information on hearing loss and its treatment, including this guide and many others. Here are our suggestions:

Step 1 – See an audiology professional Make an appointment to see one of our audiology specialists or any other certified hearing specialist in your area. You can be best prepared for your appointment by reviewing the BHI guidelines beforehand. The BHI guidelines will walk you through what you can expect at your first appointment and what questions you may need to ask your specialist.

 

   

Center  for  Better  Hearing  | (518)  638-­‐4363  | http://hearingbest.com  

Discover more great content here: http://twitter.com/CrBetterHearing  

https://www.facebook.com/CenterforBetterHearing  http://www.youtube.com/user/hearingbest  http://www.pinterest.com/hearingbest  

Step 2 – Select the hearing aid that best suits your needs and lifestyle Your certified hearing specialist will help you determine which hearing aid is best for you. During your examination in Step 1 they will conduct an examination and hearing tests to diagnose the type and severity of any hearing loss. The type of aids you choose should reflect which type is best for your particular hearing problems, and for your budget.

Step 3 – Research hearing aids of this type Once you know which type of aid is bested suited for you, go to the Internet. Your research should focus on any reports of problems or repairs, consumer reviews on comfort and reliability, as well as price comparisons.

Step 4 – Locate a reputable vendor The vendor may be the specialist you saw in Step 1, or can be someone recommended by them. Your hearing aid vendor should be trained and equipped to make molds of your ears to fit your hearing aid properly. While it is possible to buy hearing aids on the Internet, this is not recommended because most models have to be custom-fitted.

Step 5 – Ensure proper fit and performance This should be done before walking out the door after your first fitting, and the vendor you select should support this. Most reputable vendors will do this, and provide a “satisfaction guaranteed” warranty, complete with free followup fittings or adjustments, if necessary.

Good luck, and know that our specialists are here to help you in any way that we can.