We do the research for you, and here are our results for the best hearing aid brands and hearing aid devices on the market.

What is a Hearing Aid?

A hearing aid is an electronic device designed to improve your hearing in noisy and quiet environments. Hearing aids work by magnifying sound vibrations.

Hearing loss is often treated with hearing aids; while not a cure, it can provide a life-changing improvement to your hearing.

Hearing Aids: How To Choose the Best One?

Have you been thinking about getting a hearing aid but concerned about how they look and if they actually will help your hearing? By presenting the various hearing aid options on the market, giving you some pointers to look for when buying a hearing aid, and finally explaining how you can get used to wearing a hearing aid, you feel more comfortable making your decision.

They don’t design hearing aids to restore your normal hearing capability; they can improve your hearing by amplifying sounds that you’re struggling hearing.

How Do Hearing Aids Work?

All hearing aids use the same technology to carry sounds from the environment to your ear with small microphones and a computer chip with an amplifier. Most devices are digital and powered with a traditional hearing aid battery or a rechargeable battery.

What Are Different Hearing Aids?

Today’s models vary in price, size, special features, and how you place them in your ear. The most common styles are the smallest, least visible in-ear models. Keep in mind that the smaller units may not have the power you’ll need to improve your hearing.

Completely in the canal (CIC) or Mini CIC Hearing Aids

Completely-in-the-ear-canal hearing aids are the smallest and least visible types and are the least likely to pick up wind noise. They use tiny batteries with short battery life and can be challenging to handle. These usually lack special features like volume control or a directional microphone.

In the Canal Hearing Aids

These are custom-molded to fit in your ear canal partially. In addition, the in-the-canal (ITC) hearing aids can improve mild to moderate hearing loss in adults. However, they are less visible in the ear than the larger styles and have some features that won’t fit completely-in-the-canal aids but might be more difficult to adjust because of the small size. Also, you’ll have to deal with some earwax blocking the speaker.

In the Ear Hearing Aids

The (ITE) in-the-ear hearing aid has two different styles: one that fills most of the bowl-shaped area of your outer ear called a full shell or one that only fills the lower part called a half shell. Both are equipped with dual directional microphones and help with moderate to severe hearing loss.

The in-the-ear hearing aids have features that don’t fit on smaller styles like volume control and are easier to handle. The battery is larger, so the charged-up life is longer; many have options for rechargeable batteries; they also get clogged with earwax and may pick up more wind noise than the smaller devices and, of course, are more visible in your ear.

Behind the Ear Hearing Aids

The behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids are appropriate for any age and hearing loss type and hook over the top of your ear and rest behind the ear. A tube connects the hearing aid to a custom earpiece called an ear mold that fits in your ear canal.

Being traditionally the largest type, current models are more streamlined and barely visible; directional microphones have more amplification than other styles and have rechargeable batteries.

Receiver in canal or Receiver in the ear Hearing Aids

The receiver-in-canal (RIC) and receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) styles are similar to the behind-the-ear hearing aid with the speaker or receiver sitting behind your ear canal. Instead of tubing, they have a tiny wire that connects the piece behind the ear to the speaker or receiver.

A receiver in canal-hearing-aid is usually less visible behind the ear and has features like directional microphones and manual controls; some have rechargeable batteries and are prone to wax clogging the speaker.

Open Fit Hearing Aids

The open-fit hearing aid is a variation of the behind-the-ear hearing aid with a thin tube or the receiver in the canal or receiver-in-the-ear hearing aid with a dome in the ear.

This style keeps the ear canal open, allowing low-frequency sounds to naturally enter your ear and amplify high-frequency sounds through the hearing aid. Perfect for better low-frequency hearing and mild to moderate high-frequency hearing loss.

More Features of Hearing Aids

Remote Controls – some hearing aids have remotes that you can control to adjust the features without touching the hearing aid. For example, some will connect to your cellphone wirelessly and allow control using an app.

Rechargeable Batteries: Some hearing aids come with rechargeable batteries, making them easier to manage since you won’t have to change out the batteries often.
Noise Reduction: All hearing aids have some degree of noise reduction built-in; this amount varies but offers some wind noise reduction.
Directional Microphones: These provide improved sound by picking up sounds coming from in front of you and reducing sounds behind or on the side of you. Some hearing aids can focus in one direction; directional microphones can improve your ability to hear in a noisy environment with background noise.

Telecoils: Telecoils can make it easier to hear when you are talking on a telecoil-compatible telephone. The telecoil reduces background sounds but picks up sound from a hearing-aid-compatible telephone. The telecoils can also pick up signals from public induction loop systems found in some churches and theaters, allowing you to hear a speaker play or movie.
Synchronization: If you need to wear two hearing aids, they can be programmed to function together so you can make adjustments to one ear that adjusts the other ear.
Wireless Connectivity: Modern models feature Bluetooth connectivity and connect to your cellphone, music player, computer, or television. It may require an intermediary device to pick up the phone or other signal to send it to the hearing aid.

Direct audio input: This is a valuable feature to plug-in audio direct from a television, a computer, or a music device with a cord.
Variable Programming: Some hearing aids allow you to set and store multiple pre-programmed settings for different listening needs and environments.

Things to Consider Before Buying a Hearing Aid?

Approximately 48 million Americans are living with significant hearing loss. Even though hearing loss can occur at any age, it’s more common as we age. For example, the National Institute on Aging, a part of the National Institutes of Health, estimates that one in three adults between the ages of 65 and 74 has hearing loss. Nearly half of people older than 75 experience hearing difficulties. At some point in our lives, most of us will experience hearing loss or know someone who does.

Does it surprise you to know that only one-in-three adults who could benefit from hearing aids have ever used them? People with hearing loss typically wait an average of seven years before getting treatment.

The American Academy of Audiology lays out some primary reasons that cause people to delay treatment of hearing issues:

The cost of hearing aids and hearing care.

The exclusion of hearing aid coverage by insurance companies and Medicare.
Geographic distance from hearing care providers.

When you’re looking for a model that fits your needs, browse the models we’ve researched for you and:

Check for warranty: Find out if the hearing aid has a warranty and its details, primarily if they cover the parts and labor for a specific time. Some include office visits or professional services in the warranty.
Get a checkup: Find out from your doctor if your hearing loss is correctable due to an infection or earwax, and have your hearing tested by a hearing specialist or audiologist.
Get a referral to a reputable audiologist: If you don’t know any audiologists, ask your doctor for a referral to one to assess your hearing and help you choose a hearing aid that meets your needs. If you have hearing loss in both ears, you’ll get the best results with two hearing aids.

Ask about trial periods: Usually, you can get a trial to make sure it works for you, but find out in writing the cost of a test and if this amount is credited toward the final purchase price, and how much is refundable if you want to return it in the period specified.
Beware of misleading claims: Hearing aids can’t restore normal hearing or eliminate all background noise, be careful of any advertisements or companies who claim otherwise.
Think about the future: Ask if the hearing aid you choose can be upgraded in the future for more power if your hearing gets worse. Of course, hearing aids don’t last forever, but you could expect at least five years.

Plan for the expense: The cost of hearing aids varied widely – from about $1,500 to more than a few thousand dollars, professional fees, remote controls, hearing aid accessories, and other options will cost extra.

Some private insurance policies will cover all or part of the cost of hearing aids – you can check your policy to be sure. Medicare doesn’t cover the cost of hearing aids for adults. Medical assistance in most states will cover hearing aids, and if you’re a veteran, you may be able to get your hearing aid at no cost through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

How Do You Get Used To A Hearing Aid?

It will take some time to get used to wearing your hearing aid. As you become accustomed to the amplification, your listening skills improve, and you’ll notice your voice sounds different with a hearing aid.

When you first start wearing the hearing aid, keep in mind:

Hearing aids don’t return your hearing to normal: Hearing aids are designed to return your hearing; they will improve your hearing by amplifying soft sounds.
Seek support and try to stay positive: If you are willing to include your family and friends and practice wearing the device will help you adjust and get used to wearing your hearing aid. Also, you could consider joining a support group for people who have hearing loss.

Allow time to get used to the hearing aid: It will take time to feel comfortable with it, but the more you use it, the quicker you’ll get accustomed to the amplified sounds.
Practice wearing the hearing aids in various environments: The amplified sound will sound different in different places.
Go back for a follow-up: Specialists will sometimes include follow-up visits in their fees; it’s a good idea to take advantage of those appointments to get adjusted to make sure you’re getting the most out of your hearing aid.

If you commit to wearing your hearing aids often and take good care of them, you should have success wearing them. Your audiologist should be able to tell you about new devices that become available, with the goal being that over time you’ll find the perfect model to help with your hearing loss.