How to Select The Best Hearing Aid? | 6 Key Considerations
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- Опубліковано 19 чер 2024
- Dr. Cliff Olson, Audiologist and Founder of Applied Hearing Solutions in Arizona discusses 6 key considerations when selecting the Best Hearing Aids for you.
Website: www.DrCliffAuD.com
Clinic Website: www.AppliedHearingAZ.com
Deciding on which hearing aids to buy requires more than just looking at a hearing test. It requires a comprehensive hearing evaluation and careful consideration of your specific hearing needs.
I constantly receive emails asking me to look at a hearing test and recommend the best hearing aids for that particular individual. The problem is, the hearing test only one small part of the equation. Even the best audiologists in the world aren’t able to adequately recommend the perfect hearing aid based on hearing test results alone.
#1. Hearing Loss Severity - The simple fact is that you need a hearing aid that is capable of providing enough Amplification. If you have a severe hearing loss, you need a device that can produce an adequate amount of sound.
#2. Speech in Noise Score - This is something that should be added on to every hearing evaluation. One common test is the Quick SIN (Speech-In-Noise) Test. This will indicate if hearing aids alone will help you understand speech in a noisy situation.
#3. Accessibility of a particular Brand - if you have difficulty getting in to see your hearing care professional, you may benefit from remotely programmed devices. You may not have accessibility to a particular brand in your area so this may restrict your options.
#4. Important Features - There is a long list of questions you should be asked when deciding which Hearing Aid Features would provide you with the most benefit. This can't be done by just looking at a hearing test. This can take time to make sure it is done well.
#5. Consideration of Lifestyle - Recommending a specific technology level depends on your lifestyle. This has nothing to do with the severity of your hearing loss. The more complex listening environments you find yourself in, the higher technology you will require.
#6. Does your Hearing Care Provider follow “Best Practices”? - Even the perfect hearing aid purchased from and fit by a provider who does not follow “best practices” will not provide you with the maximum benefit of that hearing aid.
What are “best practices”?
Basically they are the fundamentals that a hearing care professional should follow when recommending, fitting, and programming a set of hearing aids.
They include a long list of procedures which include:
1. Comprehensive Audiologic Evaluation
2. Thorough Needs Assessment
3. Hearing aid Diagnostic Checks to ensure hearing aids meet specific specifications
4. Real Ear Measurement to ensure hearing aids are matching the users hearing loss prescription
5. Validation outcome measures to assess your “real world” benefit
Hearing aids can dramatically improve your life, but only if you are selecting the right devices. Unfortunately, this process is more complex than most people realize. It cannot be done by simply looking at a hearing test, but it can be done very well if you take all of these factors into consideration.
If I want a provider who uses best practices, how do I go about finding one? If I just call an office and ask, "Do you follow best practices?" They will all say, "Of course we do!" Are there certain credentials we can look for that would indicate a provider's office that uses best practices?
Thank you for another fantastic educational video.
In a world with so much advertising . . . Doctor Cliff's videos are helpful with a dose of entertainment. Thank you. Well done!
Thank you, sir!
We looed at all six key considerations and the biggest thing that helped with what kind of hearing aids to get was not only my hearing loss but what I do for a Living and my need to hear in a noise environment as a Paramedic. Thanks for your input.
My pleasure Annette!
Doctor Cliff,
First of all, I love your videos. Thank you for taking the time to make and post them. It's good to see somebody who cares about people having the information they need to make proper decisions about stuff like this.
Secondly, I'm hoping to get hearing aids at some point (not in the budget yet, but once it is I'm gonna go for it) but I have a borderline mild/moderate bilateral reverse slope loss. (No seriously, it's RIGHT on the border. The entire way across from 250 to 1000 Hz it's measured at 40 and 45 dB-- I'm never sure whether to call it moderate, mild, moderately mild, mildly moderate... I get a kick out of the whole situation.)
I know this configuration is rare, and I also know it's one that's more difficult to fit than your typical high-frequency hearing loss. I was wondering if you had any suggestions for anything I might need to bring up to my audiologist when getting her hearing aid recommendation. Should I ask whether she's encountered a reverse slope configuration before? Have you ever encountered it before?
Speaking of which, I'm not actually sure how to start the process of getting aids in the first place... Every time I go in for a hearing test it's just a straight through thing: get tested, have ENT check the ears, get out. I know it's not a hearing aid consultation appointment or whatever, but it'd be nice if the subject came up through more than a paper giving me the address of the nearest Voc Rehab center. (I don't want to go through VR, and the one they gave us the address to is one I can't even go to anyway because I live in the state next-door...)
I have two more questions, but I dunno if I should ask them here... I've asked several things already... :P
Thank you for your time. Good luck in your continued success!
Elissa
instablaster.
Excellent clear and easy to understand. Thanks
I watched several similar videos. This was the best.
This a great video and someone that is new to hearing aids should watch and things they should consider. I'm on my first set, still trying to get the fit right, and really frustrated by the entire process.
Sometimes a perfect fit is hard to do, but if your hearing care professional is following best practices, it should be achievable. Best of luck!
Awesome information. Thank you.
Thank you so much for posting this. This has confirmed all my doubts and has helped me justify my concerns. I've worn hearing aids since I was 5 years old. Recent audiogram showed significant further hearing loss and my current hearing aids don't suffice. My audiologist has asked me to do research and let her know which ones (brand /make /model ect.)I would like her to order to replace my current obsolete hearing aids. I felt like that is to much to ask and I didn't know where to begin. Now I know that maybe I shouldn't be researching different hearing aids but different providers in my area. Thanks again!
Glad to help Vivid. If you have any specific questions, let me know!
I’m going in tomorrow for first consultation. Your video was very helpful. I don’t even know what I’ve been missing.. birds chirping and music playing 😎
Thank you for taking the time to explain this world of hearing aids! One question I haven't seen you explain is the "prescription". The REM process depends on it so it better be accurate. How can I be sure it has been generated correctly and accurately?
Actually he had a video on it
Excellent!
Thanks
Hi, I am enjoying your channel. Thanks for all the info. What good the channels do in a hearing aid? Is more channels better?! What number of channels are ideal 8 or 12?
I'm not an expert or associated with Dr Cliff, just someone who recently lost hearing and will soon be fitted. My understanding is that channels refer to different frequency ranges. A typical person's hearing loss will be at different frequencies, so up to a point the more channels you have, the better fine tuning can be accomplished for your specific loss. If you can hear mostly fine between low frequency and high (think low notes and high notes), but have hearing loss in a middle frequency, a channel at that mid frequency range can be boosted just for that loss, instead of cranking the volume up for everything. As for how many channels I wouldn't venture a guess. Google "hearing aid channels" and you'll find some info (and debates I'm sure). Open to correction by others here.
Hey my name is Levi. I am about to get hearing aids real soon and I was just looking at which ones I should get. And 15, I’m blind, and I was just wondering what you think the best hearing aids are. Do you think the awesome phonic marvels are a good to go? Thanks.
It is very informative
Should your hearing test results be charted by a computer or is it ok for the Audiologist to prepare it by hand(pen on a chart)?
Whats good for infant having loss moderately severe? Ric or bte?
You totally forgot to show or post the link to locked hearing aids. But that episode popped right up in a search.
What about sie numbers? Does it make that much difference?
Another great and informative video Cliff! Many Thanks! :o)) A pity you are not in the UK as I would love to hear your views on the main high street HA suppliers like SpecSavers, Boots and a whole bunch of independent HA providers as well as the HA manufacturer outlets life Amplifon and how these each compare in meeting these 6 requirements of a good provider...
If you know of such a review, could you please point me in the right direction to help sort out the best provider for my needs?
This might be something that Matthew Pearson, from Zone1Hearing, could help you with. He is a former Boots audiologist. Shoot him an email on his website and say I sent you: www.zone1hearing.com
I've uh never heard of boots
Thanks!
Thank you for this great information! I’m 33 years old and have a reverse slope hearing loss in my left ear. Can heating aids help me?
Yes, hearing aids can treat a reverse slope hearing loss. It's tricky, but can be done.
I recently lost my hearing in the 3 to 5K range, and developed tinnitus literally in a few seconds. In the middle of the night I woke up with a stuffed nose, as soon as I blew it I could "hear" my left ear plug up and ringing started in that ear. I was told by a specialist and the audiologist that I require hearing aids. I tried a pair of Signia NX7 for about a month. With or without my hearing aids my ear continues to feel and sound plugged. Aside from the tinnitus I'm hearing the higher frequencies "buzz" and they sound over modulated. If I speak or listen to music at a low level, the "buzz" stops, but when the volume is more normal or on the loud side it comes back. Also I have found that without the hearing aids, I have that 3 to 5K hole, but the overall quality of what I hear is better.
My biggest issue is, can you lose your hearing that quickly? Also, What is the buzz I hear? Nobody seems to have an answer. Should I be getting an MRI?
Based on what you told me, they should have referred you to an ENT before jumping to hearing aids.
According to pure tone Audiomentry report, REM, speech understanding ability quick sin test there is a major difference in hearing loss in both the ear. Right ear- moderate S. N. Hearing loss. Left ear- moderately severe to severe hearing loss. Can you please guide me whether I have to wear different hearing aid for different hearing loss in both the ears?
I don't think he'd be able to guide you on that one it's totally up to the audiologist and you although did you try a cross system?
Could you pls give me advise about the best brands of device, basing on your advice I will have best solution in VN, Thank you very much!
VN hiện tại có nhiều hãng máy trợ thính,(Phoank, Resound, Unitron, Belton, Siemens, Audibel......)
Phone:0908106565
Do you provide online consultancy?
I remember as a child not being able to hear clearly from my left ear, my parents never took me to get it assessed. I'm now in my 30's and would love to get my hearing(lack of) addressed since I'm now also experiencing tinnitus. I don't know where to start. I'm in the Caribbean, there are no otolaryngologist on my island. What do I do? How do I find and choose a doctor in country near me?
Um research I guess usually if you look up audiology clinics near me would do the trick
Dr. Cliff, I've had multiple strokes (due to a clotting issue & they continue despite anticoagulant therapy), my audiologist is certain a few have affected my hearing. Told me "your ears hear ok, slight hearing loss, but I think it's more that your brain can't hear and won't sent the messages to your ears". Diagnosed me with an expressive hearing loss and mild auditory hearing loss. She told me there's no hearing aide that can help me because of the brain related hearing dysfunction. Not an acceptable answer for me, ever. I cannot keep saying "what" all the time, can't go to dinner with my wife or kids because background noise overpowers table talk. Can't hear on the phone even with speaker on at times, with any other noise around, I have to have complete silence to hear with the speaker on but can never hear without speaker. Otherwise, I'm just saying "what" and "can you please repeat that again, and again and again" all the time. Doing a hearing test in a perfectly quiet room, with headphones on, with background noise in the headphones and not all around me, not just in my ears, doesn't duplicate real world background noise. I cannot live the rest of my life not being able to hear my wife whisper to me, hear the trees blowing in the wind, all sorts of small things taken for granted. The hearing keeps getting worse almost daily to maybe weekly. I refuse to believe there's NOTHING out there, especially in almost 2020. Any advice?
I'd say probably go to a different audiologist they might ever so slightly be able to help you
I would like to do the REM but it turned out that we have only one centre where it is possible. The problem is that then I'll have to go to my doctor to do the programming. Will this work?
Yes you can do that.
Sir my daughter is profound n using starley Aries pro hearing aids for almost three years but not able to speak sentences . I think there z a mistake at any place but unable to find it whether her aids are not up to the mark or need cochlear implant. I m from Pakistan how v can approach u??
Sorry starkey aries pro. N she z 5 years n three months old
Do you have any offices in Sedona, Flagstaff or Prescott?
Sorry Kevin. My only location is in Anthem.
Should the hearing aids help with the loss of word comprehension? When I ask people to repeat themselves, I just hear the word louder, but do not understand it any better or worse hear it wrong. It is like having a person use a foreign language mixed in with English. My hearing aids area about 2 years old and still under warranty. Has the technology changed a lot in the last two years?
Hi David. Hearing aids will only help you perform up to your Word Recognition Scores. If you have good WRS, then your hearing aids should be able to restore clarity. If your WRS scores are poor, even the best hearing aid programmed perfectly will only get you up to that poor level. However, if you have Good WRS and poorly programmed hearing aids, speech clarity will suffer.
@@DrCliffAuD Thank you for that information. I think lots of the time my tinnitus interferes with my ability to understand words. It is like being in a noisy room and trying to listen. I also sometimes find it exhausting to try and understand what people are saying. I now have severe hearing loss in both ears. Thanks again for all of your help.
Asked else where:how to find a competnt provider
*I would love for you to help me get the right ones with a low monthly payments. I didn't get any at the office I went to. They push the top of the line at $6,000 & don't let you even try less Expensive which made me Leary. It was about the money & product NOT me the patient. 😔😔😔* Sharon in SC
I have normal hearing to 1.5k, 70db loss from 2k to 8k, and good wrs (88 in left, 100 in right). I was fitted with resound lynx2 by an audiologist who did not follow best practices.
As a result, I'm getting nothing out of a $4,800 in investment in hearing aids.
IMO, Hearing aids are probably the single worst consumer product on the market today. I would be far better off without them.
1. Hearing loss severity.
2. Speech in Noise score.
3. Accessibility to the particular brand.
4. Understanding individual needs.
5. Lifestyle.
6. Does the hearing care professional follow best practices?
Thanks for all your information. I've been wearing aids got 20+ years. The last pair for 10' 12 years. I've been told by Beltone and Costco that no matter what device I get now my brain had forgotten how to hear more than 40-50% I ordered a pair of Jabra enhance pro with ear molds from Costco. Is the anything else I should look at? Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.
What name brand hearing aids are available at your office to choose from?
Phonak, ReSound, Oticon, Widex, Signia, Starkey, & Unitron. .
All I know am in serve deaf I were two hearing aid since 7 years old I brought 1 hearing aids for 1500 it still alot of money I need it then 11 months they came out phones 2400 come on I just spend 1500 car saleman
What is your opinion of Resound IIC at Costco?
Does the provider working there follow all Best Practices? Because if not, I would not recommend any device from them.
Great video as always!
I'm going to a clinic tomorrow to do a screening for a trial for a new drug as a possible cure/treatment for Sensorineural Hearing Loss, I hope they accept me as this could be a big thing for the future and I'd love to be apart of it :)
Trey Royer were at?
Knightmare5.0 In London, it's called the "REGAIN Project"
I know a company in the United States called Frequency Therapeutics is trying to develop a drug and delivery system to hopefully regenerate dead hair cells. I will learn more about this at a conference later this month and probably make a video.
Applied Hearing Solutions The video would be greatly appreciated. Do you believe high frequencies could ever be regained? Honestly, it would help me so much emotionally to know that one day, even if it will take 15-20 years I could have a normal hearing.
Doctor Cliff, AuD any updates on this? Thanks!
You look like Jim Kerry to me :)
Jim Carrey with a "C"
Yes sir I’ve tried almost everything to improve my hearing. I have Star-- h a’s. But I think my problem started with going a not so great ent. I was in the hospital having been given sepsis, it turned into severe septic shock before they realized what it was and were pushing gallons of fluid into me. When I was brought back to life and later that week downgraded to Ok, I was in the hospital for weeks. I kept telling them I couldn’t hear and they kept telling it was only fluid in my ears, that it would dry up. Well it didn’t. I finally went to an ent who said that they had ruined the nerves in my ears and I neede hearing aids. But they have really never worked. I hear loud bangs, high pitched squeals but hardly no conversation. Even one on one. I’m afraid of loosing my mind and my kids never coming around again because of this. Starkly has been very, very good to me. Please give advice? Please?
PS those very loud noises I hear, don’t bother anyone else and I end up screaming or jumping in fright. Help
I surely cannot recommend Oticon's Opn1 hearing aids any more. I've been an Oticon user for the past 15 years, upgrading every 4 years or so to their latest and greatest. These Opn1 hearing aids would not have been my choice had I known the drawbacks. Namely two issues:
1. The filters are way too small! They clog up more way often than my previous Oticon aids. My previous Oticon Agil hearing aid filters rarely clogged up. Now, I have to keep a supply of filters handy as they clog up without warning.(sometimes 3 times a month).
2. The battery life is about half of what it has been in all of my previous Oticon hearing aids. They still use the 312 batteries. But they're only half the size and give half the life of other competitive hearing aids that use. My prescription has changed very little since my Agils. But these new aids are battery hogs.
Other than that, I love 'em. But I won't be going back because of these two major drawbacks.
Interesting concerns with the OPN hearing aid. Thanks for your comment. I will say that the trend of smaller wax traps and poorer battery life due to processing demands is likely going to be an issue with a variety of manufacturer devices.
@@DrCliffAuD I agree, Dr. Cliff. Thank you for the quick reply. I only voiced my experience in order to help others test what they buy first, without simply jumping on a brand because they've been good in the past.
To preserve battery life, I've even tried turning off Bluetooth, but battery life seems about the same on or off. My audiologist maily sells Starkey; but I preferred Oticon. So he got them for me even though not his brand of choice. His Starkey hearing aid batteries last 7 to 8 days where mine only last 3-4. Now, my prescription may require more audio drive than his and thus draw more current; but I sure wouldn't think double. If Oticon just made the aids a mm wider, the thicker (greater power capacity) batteries probably could have fit and I'd probably have much the same battery life as before. The heck of it is that the 13's cost about the same as the 312's.
Have you reviewed Lively hearing aides? $2350/pr Remote tuning by doctors for two yrs free. Free consults for two years. BT connectivity, many other features of real aides!
Hi Dr. Dennis. I haven't had a chance to do a review of the Lively aids yet. They are clearly ReSound LiNX 3D, third tier technology. The only other thing I know for sure is that they can't do Real Ear Measurement, but at $2,350 for a pair, who cares about best practices.
Doctor Cliff, AuD , real ear measurement
The problem I have with Hearing Aid is that every single one "screams" when I put the headphones on (a full-ear cover headphone) and it's fucking annoying. I don't want to connect the hearing aid to the PC, I want to put my headphones and not become a fucking ambulance...
Why is it taking so long for researchers to make the new research available to public. I read that they're working on sending stem cells into ears so the ears can make and regenerate "hair like" proteins itself (just like animals)?
Dr, would you share what you know about this with us please. Thank you for your Chanel and videos!
Research takes a long time, writing it up takes a long time, and peer review takes a long time. You are correct, they are trying to figure out a way to use either stem cells, molecular therapy, or genetic therapy to regenerate hair cells. It's promising but has some significant challenges, like, how do you introduce stem cells to the cochlea when you risk causing more damage by getting them inside the cochlea?
@@DrCliffAuD thank you!
When the VA is giving you hearing loss benefits you don't have a choice of what audiologist you will see. Also you probably don't get a selection to choose from, from a VA audiologist either. They are probably like Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities, you don't get to choose from 4 different brands and features. They just give you the cheapest one. And you have to live with it.
I am constantly adjusting settings to tv mode and turning them to max at church. And Noisy Environment and turning them to max when I'm going to a place like Texas Roadhouse to eat. I don't feel I am getting the full benefit out of these hearing aids, because I don't Believe they ask questions to get an idea of all the scenario I would be in to for me for the hearing aids that would treat my hearing loss. I feel the VA is going to do the same thing as OOD did. And that is just pick what they think are the best hearing aids for me based on my audiogram.
He is clearly targeting the other professions that have the right to prescribe and fit hearing devices. Mainly, he is going after Hearing Instrument Specialist. Almost all Audiologist do not have a desire or do not take the time to learn the different devices and the companies programs. I have taken on so many patients that cannot get proper care/fitting and follow-ups by Audiologists.
Hi Charter. I am absolutely not targeting HISs. I have a number of colleagues and friends who are HISs and I allow HISs into my approved provider network at the opposition of fellow Audiologists. If you feel that I am targeting your profession you are mistaken. It does seem like you are targeting my profession though.
@@DrCliffAuD No, I am not I am simply relating my experiences.
Of course Audiologists do! They must be able to fit hearing aids and know the software amd treat you based on your hearing loss.. hearing instrument specialists do not have the same knowledge as an AuD.. LMFAO 🤣
Well I just realized how crappy the audiologist I saw today is
Yes I had one also. Wanted to talk prices before he did a hearing test. I’m like wtheck! I Left and never went back. I told him also that he doesn’t even know if I needed them.