{"id":30,"date":"2018-06-22T23:02:05","date_gmt":"2018-06-22T23:02:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fueldev.site\/~gulfcoas\/?page_id=30"},"modified":"2020-01-22T16:53:37","modified_gmt":"2020-01-22T21:53:37","slug":"choosing-a-hearing-aid","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/gulfcoastaudiology.com\/hearing-aids\/choosing-a-hearing-aid\/","title":{"rendered":"Choosing a Hearing Aid"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" itemprop=\"image\" title=\"choosing-a-hearing-aid\" src=\"https:\/\/gulfcoastaudiology.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/choosing-a-hearing-aid.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-182\" \/>If you are experiencing hearing loss, odds are good that you\u2019ll benefit from a hearing aid. But choosing the right one is no simple task. Today\u2019s hearing aids are smaller and more feature-packed than their predecessors, offering an array of options. <\/p>\n<p>Narrowing the choices down can be tough, but there are a few important things you should take into consideration before choosing a hearing aid. <\/p>\n<h2>What Are Your Hearing Needs?<\/h2>\n<p>First, you\u2019ll need to have an <a href=\"https:\/\/gulfcoastaudiology.com\/hearing-loss\/hearing-tests\/\">audiologist assess your hearing loss<\/a>. Severity is measured in degrees, based upon your hearing loss range in decibels. It ranges from normal (-10 to 15 dB) to profound (91+ dB), with a total of seven different degrees. <\/p>\n<p>Equally important is the frequency of your hearing loss. Conductive hearing loss resulting from damage to the outer or middle ear affects low frequency sounds, while sensorineural hearing loss, in which damage occurs to the inner ear, results in a loss of high frequency sounds. <\/p>\n<p>You\u2019ll need to choose a hearing aid that targets the <a href=\"https:\/\/gulfcoastaudiology.com\/hearing-aids\/hearing-aid-types\/\">frequencies you have trouble comprehending<\/a>. <\/p>\n<h2>What Are Your Lifestyle Needs?<\/h2>\n<p>Functionality is an important consideration. With so many available features, you\u2019ll need to decide which ones matter most to you. Popular features include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Directional microphones.<\/li>\n<li>Feedback suppression. <\/li>\n<li>Amplifiers. <\/li>\n<li>Digital noise reduction. <\/li>\n<li>Wax guards.<\/li>\n<li>Automatic volume control.<\/li>\n<li>Bluetooth\u00ae connectivity. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Extra features are also available. Speak with your audiologist about the pros and cons of these features. <\/p>\n<p>You\u2019ll also have to take into account your lifestyle needs. Whether you enjoy quiet, <a href=\"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/full\/10.1177\/1084713808325880\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Evaluating the Benefit of Hearing Aids in Solving the Cocktail Party Problem | Oct. 30th, 2008 Research Article\">intimate gatherings with a few close friends<\/a> or an active outdoors lifestyle that includes a lot of background noise, there is a hearing aid designed specifically for your activity level. <\/p>\n<h2>What Is Your Cosmetic Preference? <\/h2>\n<p>Cosmetic preference is a key factor in choosing a hearing aid. Since you\u2019ll be wearing it every day, it\u2019s got to not only feel good but appeal to your confidence. <\/p>\n<p>Hearing aids are available in a variety of sizes and styles, some visible while others are implanted deep within the ear canal, rendering them virtually undetectable. Many are custom-molded to fit each individual\u2019s ears. <\/p>\n<h2>What Is Your Budget? <\/h2>\n<p>Finally, there is cost. Price will be a factor, but be sure to consider your specific hearing needs when making this decision. <\/p>\n<p>Investing in a cheap hearing aid that is ineffective is a waste of money; conversely, you don\u2019t want to overspend on features that won\u2019t benefit you. Your audiologist can offer suggestions that will point you in the right direction. <\/p>\n<p>Call <span class=\"company-name \">Gulf Coast Audiology<\/span> at <a href=\"tel:+12392677888\" class=\"phone \"> <span class=\"phNum\">(239) 267-7888<\/span><\/a> for more information or to schedule an appointment.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you are experiencing hearing loss, odds are good that you\u2019ll benefit from a hearing aid. But choosing the right one is no simple task. Today\u2019s hearing aids are smaller and more feature-packed than their predecessors, offering an array of options. Narrowing the choices down can be tough, but there are a few important things&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":20,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"(239) 267-7888 | A hearing aid is about more than hearing loss. Learn about what to look for and how to narrow down your options to find the best choice.","_seopress_robots_index":"","schema":"<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\r\n{\r\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\r\n  \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\r\n  \"mainEntity\": [{\r\n    \"@type\": \"Question\",\r\n    \"name\": \"What Are Your Hearing Needs?\",\r\n    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\r\n      \"@type\": \"Answer\",\r\n      \"text\": \"First, you\u2019ll need to have an audiologist assess your hearing loss. Severity is measured in degrees, based upon your hearing loss range in decibels. 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Extra features are also available. Speak with your audiologist about the pros and cons of these features. You\u2019ll also have to take into account your lifestyle needs. Whether you enjoy quiet, intimate gatherings with a few close friends or an active outdoors lifestyle that includes a lot of background noise, there is a hearing aid designed specifically for your activity level.\"\r\n    }\r\n  }, {\r\n    \"@type\": \"Question\",\r\n    \"name\": \"What hearing aid is best cosmetically?\",\r\n    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\r\n      \"@type\": \"Answer\",\r\n      \"text\": Cosmetic preference is a key factor in choosing a hearing aid. Since you\u2019ll be wearing it every day, it\u2019s got to not only feel good but appeal to your confidence. Hearing aids are available in a variety of sizes and styles, some visible while others are implanted deep within the ear canal, rendering them virtually undetectable. 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