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 | Hearing Aids
By Michael Spilane, MD
Let's get down to business. You've decided it's no fun to miss half of the sounds aimed at you, so you've decided to try a hearing aid. Or maybe family members have told you they are planning to float you off on an iceberg if you don't get one. First off, the adventure is worth the trip. Hearing aids are not a cure, but they really do help. Yes, there is expense and some required discipline, but there is a very good chance you will finally be able to hear what people are saying about you.
With present State laws, the likelihood of being ripped-off by a fraudulent hearing aid salesperson is very low. Anyone selling these devices is required to be licensed, and licensure demands specific training and continuing education. Look for an established professional or a shop you trust. All sales of hearing aids are required by law to include a money back guarantee if satisfaction is not present within thirty days of purchase. During these thirty days the purchaser should wear the hearing device in a variety of sound environments and be sure it performs in a satisfying manner. Even more than bifocal eye glasses, it takes a while to accommodate and adjust to the use of a hearing aid. The sounds initially may be sensed as a bit disturbing. After a week or two the brain usually adjusts to the new level of sound and the different quality of sound. The purchaser should also be comfortable with the fit of the aid in the ear and the ease of insertion/removal. If things fail to work out after a valiant effort, don't just put the hearing aid in a drawer. Bring it back to the salesperson.
Hearing aids come in a wide variety of models, varying considerably in size, technologic sophistication and cost. The smaller the device, the greater the price. And the price escalates even more quickly with more electronic wizardry. The largest aids are worn behind the ear and use a connector to send amplified sound to an ear mold. Most of the behind the ear models are intended for persons with severe hearing loss who need a very powerful mechanism. The most frequently sold hearing aids are smaller and fit in the outer ear or are very small and fit within the ear canal. The smallest models require considerable finger dexterity to insert/remove and are often inadvisable for the elderly.
The incorporated technology varies from ordinary (not synonymous with bad) to very sophisticated. At the highest prices, you basically have a tiny computer stuck in your ear. The electronic technology is used to analyze incoming sound frequencies and adjust them to best compensate for the specific hearing loss of the individual wearing the aid. A fully computerized model does the best job, but other technologies work reasonable well.
In the present market, the cost of a single hearing aid ranges from about $750 to $2,500. The highest priced models are tiny and totally computerized. But paying three times as much does not mean you get triple the improvement in hearing. It's a bit like the Chevrolet and the Cadillac - you get most of what you need with the cheaper model, but you may be willing to pay a lot to get something that's even better. And remember the deafness usually is present in both ears, and two hearing aids may be necessary to provide optimal hearing.
When shopping for an item that comes in many different models, the thrifty but wise shopper likes to choose the model that is most commonly purchased by others. In a large marketplace, the best value tends to attract the most people. The most commonly sold hearing aid is a small but visible model that snugs into the outer ear. It offers some programmable functions that allow the audiologist to tailor the sound transmission to meet individual needs. And it costs about $1300. Spending less is not a bad decision, but you will sacrifice some quality of the sound. You can spend a lot more if you want smaller size (even invisible when worn) or state-of-the-art technology.
You will likely be very satisfied with a hearing aid that costs about $1300. And most older persons will be happy with a model that costs $800. Your professional hearing aid salesperson will help you make a decision that is right for you and for your pocketbook. The most important thing is your recognition that you are missing out on life by not hearing and your decision to try a hearing aid.
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