Did you know the average person waits seven years after they realize they have hearing loss before seeking help and buying hearing aids? Think about all the conversations they’ve missed.
One of the main reasons people neglect to get their hearing checked is because they’re worried about having to wear bulky hearing aids. But while hearing aids of the past may have been considered a little cumbersome, today's discreet hearing aids are smaller and smarter.
Don’t miss the first babbles of your children or grandchildren, a conversation with a friend or the words of your medical doctor. Here’s what you need to know about buying your first hearing aid.
In the past, there was a stigma attached to wearing hearing aids. Because of their bulk and visibility, many people were unwilling to wear them. In addition, those with hearing loss continued to struggle to hear in the presence of background noise, because previous versions of hearing aids simply amplified sounds.
Thanks to great advances in modern digital technology, today’s hearing aids are much more powerful, intelligent and discreet. Hearing aids can now be customized to fit your own stylistic preferences and come in a variety of colors, sizes and shapes. There are even types of hearing aids that are so small and comfortable you may forget you are wearing them.
There are many considerations when shopping for hearing aids, whether it’s your first pair or you’re simply looking to upgrade what you currently have. Keep reading for details on what to look for when buying hearing aids.
The degree of hearing loss you’re experiencing (mild, moderate, moderately severe, severe and profound), along with the type of hearing loss (sensorineural, conductive or mixed), will help determine what type of hearing aid will serve you best.
The type and degree of your hearing loss can be determined through a free hearing test at Miracle-Ear, where your licensed hearing care professional (HCP) will help interpret your hearing test results, as well as talk you through two other considerations when buying hearing aids: styles and technologies available within the different hearing aid models.
There are several different types and styles of hearing aids, and different styles are better suited for different levels of hearing loss and lifestyle needs. Use the chart below to get better acquainted with the various hearing aid styles, as well as their pros and cons.
Visibility: The smallest hearing aid on the market, they’re nearly invisible to others
Best for: Mild to moderate hearing loss
Pros: Maximum discretion | Custom-molded for personalized fit
Cons: Limited features due to size | May be difficult to use for those with dexterity issues due to their small size
Visibility: Sitting fully in the ear canal, they’re virtually unnoticeable to others
Best for: Mild to severe hearing loss
Pros: Very discreet | Lightweight | Many models offer rechargeable batteries and Bluetooth connectivity
Cons: Limited features due to size | May be difficult to use for those with dexterity issues due to their small size
Visibility: Sitting partially in the ear canal, they’re still fairly discreet and not super noticeable to others
Best for: Mild to severe hearing loss
Pros: Good balance of size and functionality | Custom-molded case for a secure and comfortable fit
Cons: A little larger than the most discreet options
Visibility: Sitting in the concha, or bowl, of the ear, they’re likely somewhat visible to others while still being fairly discreet
Best for: Mild to severe hearing loss
Pros: Custom-molded case for a secure and comfortable fit | More powerful than smaller models but without the hassle of external tubing | Easier to handle for those with dexterity issues
Cons: A little larger and more noticeable than the most discreet options
Visibility: Receiver sits fully in the ear canal, connected to the case, which sits behind the ear, with a thin, nearly invisible wire
Best for: Mild to severe hearing loss
Pros: Most popular style of hearing aid | Natural sound quality with minimal feedback | Slim, discreet design that’s packed with advanced features
Cons: Has a component that sits behind the ear, which may bother those who wear glasses or a mask
Visibility: Resting behind the ear in a small housing that is connected to an earmold via a clear tube
Best for: Mild profound hearing loss
Pros: Suitable for all levels of hearing loss | Easy to handle & highly durable | Packed with the most advanced features
Cons: The largest and least discreet style of hearing aids | Has a component that sits behind the ear, which may bother those who wear glasses or a mask
Visibility: The smallest hearing aid on the market, they’re nearly invisible to others
Best for: Mild to moderate hearing loss
Pros: Maximum discretion | Custom-molded for personalized fit
Cons: Limited features due to size | May be difficult to use for those with dexterity issues due to their small size
Visibility: Sitting fully in the ear canal, they’re virtually unnoticeable to others
Best for: Mild to severe hearing loss
Pros: Very discreet | Lightweight | Many models offer rechargeable batteries and Bluetooth connectivity
Cons: Limited features due to size | May be difficult to use for those with dexterity issues due to their small size
Visibility: Sitting partially in the ear canal, they’re still fairly discreet and not super noticeable to others
Best for: Mild to severe hearing loss
Pros: Good balance of size and functionality | Custom-molded case for a secure and comfortable fit
Cons: A little larger than the most discreet options
Visibility: Sitting in the concha, or bowl, of the ear, they’re likely somewhat visible to others while still being fairly discreet
Best for: Mild to severe hearing loss
Pros: Custom-molded case for a secure and comfortable fit | More powerful than smaller models but without the hassle of external tubing | Easier to handle for those with dexterity issues
Cons: A little larger and more noticeable than the most discreet options
Visibility: Receiver sits fully in the ear canal, connected to the case, which sits behind the ear, with a thin, nearly invisible wire
Best for: Mild to severe hearing loss
Pros: Most popular style of hearing aid | Natural sound quality with minimal feedback | Slim, discreet design that’s packed with advanced features
Cons: Has a component that sits behind the ear, which may bother those who wear glasses or a mask
Visibility: Resting behind the ear in a small housing that is connected to an earmold via a clear tube
Best for: Mild profound hearing loss
Pros: Suitable for all levels of hearing loss | Easy to handle & highly durable | Packed with the most advanced features
Cons: The largest and least discreet style of hearing aids | Has a component that sits behind the ear, which may bother those who wear glasses or a mask
FInd a center near you.
In addition to considering hearing aid styles, it’s also important to consider the level of technology available. Hearing aid technology has come a long way in the past decade, and there are technological offerings to fit all lifestyles and budgets. Below, you’ll find some of our most popular technology offerings, as well as which Miracle-Ear devices you can find this technology built into. But remember: It is important to work with your HCP to select the correct technology and style for you.
Description: Stream audio from your phone, TV or other devices directly into your hearing aids.
Benefit: With Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids, you don’t have to swap your hearing aids for headphones. Instead, your phone calls, TV shows and music can stream directly into your ears via your hearing aids.
Available on: All Miracle-Ear hearing aids other than the smallest IICs and CICs
Description: Rechargeable hearing aids feature built-in lithium-ion batteries that can be plugged in or put in a charging case to recharge, much like Airpods or your phone.
Benefit: No need to regularly change disposable batteries—simply recharge the batteries overnight while you’re not wearing your hearing aids.
Available on: Optional in most Miracle-Ear hearing aids other than the smallest IICs and CICs
Description: Directional microphones help you focus on the speaker in front of you, canceling out a lot of background noise in your environment.
Benefit: This technology makes speech easier to hear in noisy environments.
Available on: All Miracle-Ear hearing aids except some IIC and CIC models
Description: This small antenna that’s built into your hearing aid can pick up certain electromagnetic signals from hearing loop systems so that sound in environments like airports, auditoriums and theaters bypass your hearing aid’s microphone and goes directly into your ears.
Benefit: Audio in a public space (such as from a speaker system or announcements) goes directly into your ears rather than trying to hear it ambiently in the room.
Available on: All BTEs, most RICs and optional in some ITCs and ITEs
Description: Amplify just what you want to hear with background noise reduction.
Benefit: This technology allows you to better focus on what you’re trying to hear rather than getting distracted or overwhelmed by ambient background noises.
Available on: All Miracle-Ear hearing aids
Description: Automatically adjust your hearing aid settings when entering a new sound environment or as you move through a room.
Benefit: This technology eliminates the need to manually change hearing aid settings every time the sound environment around you changes.
Available on: All of Miracle-Ear’s latest hearing aid technology
Description: Adjust volume and settings from an app on your smartphone.
Benefit: Instead of fussing with setting changes right on your small device, you can easily and discreetly make changes right from your phone.
Available on: All Miracle-Ear hearing aids that have Bluetooth capabilities
Hearing aids are an investment in your quality of life—but they are financial investments as well. The cost depends on what model you buy and what technologies it has, but broadly they cost anywhere from $1,000 to $8,000-plus per pair. While many insurance companies don’t cover the cost of hearing aids, every situation is unique. You can always call your insurance provider to ask about possible coverage. Otherwise, Miracle-Ear does offer payment plans, and you could also use FSA/HSA funds to pay for hearing aids.
As an added bonus, when you purchase hearing aids from Miracle-Ear without insurance, you qualify for our unlimited care services*. With your hearing aid purchase, you’ll qualify for free regular checkups, office visits and follow-up care, which includes testing, cleaning and even a thorough ear inspection, to make sure your hearing aids are performing optimally—all completed by a licensed HCP.
Hearing aids are an investment in your quality of life—but they are financial investments as well. The cost depends on what model you buy and what technologies it has, but broadly they cost anywhere from $1,000 to $8,000-plus per pair. While many insurance companies don’t cover the cost of hearing aids, every situation is unique. You can always call your insurance provider to ask about possible coverage. Otherwise, Miracle-Ear does offer payment plans, and you could also use FSA/HSA funds to pay for hearing aids.
As an added bonus, when you purchase hearing aids from Miracle-Ear without insurance, you qualify for our unlimited care services*. With your hearing aid purchase, you’ll qualify for free regular checkups, office visits and follow-up care, which includes testing, cleaning and even a thorough ear inspection, to make sure your hearing aids are performing optimally—all completed by a licensed HCP.
Hearing aids purchased without a prescription are considered over-the-counter hearing aids, or OTC hearing aids. Since 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has allowed the sale and purchase of OTC hearing aids directly from stores and retailers.
However, in general, hearing aid wearers experience the best results from custom devices fitted and calibrated by an HCP. Miracle-Ear exclusively sells prescription hearing aids, which a Miracle-Ear HCP is licensed to prescribe.
While you can buy hearing aids over the counter, it’s worth knowing ahead of time what you’ll miss out on by going that route. Yes, you will likely save money—as OTC hearing aids tend to be more affordable—but that’s because there’s a lot that you aren’t getting with these hearing aids.
With OTC hearing aids, you won’t get hearing aid programming that’s customized to your level of hearing loss and lifestyle needs, or have access to lifetime aftercare or free annual checkups. You also won’t have a licensed HCP guiding you every step of the way.
But you can get access to all these features and benefits when you shop for hearing aids at a Miracle-Ear store.
When you visit Miracle-Ear for a free hearing exam, your HCP will help you select which of the various models that would be a good fit for your level of hearing loss and your lifestyle needs.
Some locations even offer a 48- to 72-hour trial for behind-the-ear (BTE) models and other instant-fit hearing aids, so you can try out a pair of hearing aids outside of the clinic. Talk to your HCP to see if this is an option at your location.**
(Note: Custom models are not available to try on in-store or as part of a free trial, since these models require taking custom impressions of your ear.)
For more hearing loss prevention tips, treatment options and helpful hearing health information, check out our free hearing guide.
While it might be appealing to cut corners and save some money when shopping for hearing aids, the old adage of “cheap is cheap” certainly applies.
Cheap hearing aids are often not customized to your ear shape, hearing needs or lifestyle. And with cheap hearing aids, you’ll likely forgo many of the advanced technology features now available on the market.
If cost is an issue, rather than looking for the cheapest option on the market, consider options like a payment plan (available for all Miracle-Ear hearing aids), or apply for free hearing aids from the Miracle-Ear Foundation.
There are many places you can buy hearing aids in today’s world—from big-box warehouse retailers to boutique hearing clinics, and many places in between. But if you’re looking for a free hearing exam, exceptional service, cutting-edge technology, free aftercare services and convenient locations, look no further than Miracle-Ear. With over 1,600 locations nationwide, you can find a Miracle-Ear hearing aid center that’s closest to you.
While it’s possible to buy hearing aids online, what you gain in convenience and cost-savings, you’ll lose in professional guidance and customized devices. It’s wise to get a hearing exam right before purchasing hearing aids to make sure they’re tailored to your specific hearing needs—and this should be done by a licensed professional.
That provider can also help you find the hearing aids that best suit your needs, take custom impressions of your ears for a custom fit and also program your devices to your unique hearing loss and lifestyle needs.
Providers like Miracle-Ear also offer free hearing aid cleanings and checks, device repairs and maintenance, and annual hearing exams to ensure your devices are always tailored to your exact hearing needs. All of these features are things you won’t get if you buy hearing aids online.
If you’re still debating whether or not it’s worth getting your hearing checked, consider this: you have nothing to lose, and so much to gain. Schedule your free hearing test today.
* FREE Unlimited Care. Cleanings and in-office service are always free. Miracle-Ear® lifetime aftercare not included with hearing aids purchased utilizing some insurance benefits. See store for details.
* Risk-free trial available at participating Miracle-Ear locations only. If you are not completely satisfied, the hearing aids may be returned to the store of purchase for a full refund. The hearing aids must be in satisfactory condition, as determined by Miracle-Ear®. Fitting fees may apply. See store for additional details.
