As you start the process of buying hearing aids, you’re going to learn an entirely new vocabulary of hearing health terms. As you discuss your options, your hearing care provider might refer to new and unfamiliar acronyms, technology, styles of hearing aids and payment options. It can make the experience feel a bit daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Below, you’ll find a guide to help you make an informed decision about what type of hearing aid suits your needs and supports your hearing health.
Hearing aids are powerful electronic devices, worn in or on the ears, that amplify and process sound. Hearing aids support your ability to listen, communicate and engage more meaningfully in daily activities.
Hearing aids are powerful electronic devices, worn in or on the ears, that amplify and process sound. Hearing aids support your ability to listen, communicate and engage more meaningfully in daily activities.
If you’ve ever wondered “when do you need hearing aids?”, the answer is “the sooner, the better.” If you’re experiencing hearing loss, hearing aids are one of the best solutions for supplementing your ability to hear and communicate. Getting them earlier can help support your hearing for many years to come.
When it comes to looking for signs of hearing loss, many people first notice it when they start missing daily sounds or strain to hear what others are saying. But often, family members and close friends notice hearing changes — even before the person who has the hearing loss.
Hearing loss can make social and daily life more difficult, and it can also have repercussions for your mental and physical health. Wearing a hearing aid, especially one that’s programmed to your unique hearing loss, can assist you hear sounds and conversations more easily and engage more meaningfully with your friends and loved ones.
Hearing aids for mild to moderate hearing loss come in the greatest range of styles, including models that are almost invisible inside the ear. They’re also typically smaller and more discreet because they don’t need to house as many mechanical components or large batteries.
Receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aids are the most popular option because they balance comfort, effectiveness across a range of hearing loss levels and affordability.
In-the-ear hearing aids (also known as ITEs) sit in the ear, as their name implies, and include some of the smallest options on the market. A few types of hearing aids fit under the ITE heading, including in-the-canal (ITC), completely-in-canal (CIC) and invisible-in-canal (IIC) hearing aids. All of these are best suited for mild-to-moderate hearing loss because their ultra-small size limits amplification power.
The best hearing aids for severe hearing loss will have strong amplification power, battery life to support that added power, and features that support your needs.
Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids are typically the best choice for severe hearing loss because they have the most powerful amplification and longest battery life. Receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aids, which are still fairly small and discreet, might also be an option. RICs can help a wide range of hearing losses, and custom earmolds can help extend their power.
Features like Bluetooth and telecoils are valuable additions because they stream sound directly to your hearing aids, at home and in public.
Behind-the-ear (BTE) models with custom earmolds are generally the best hearing aids for profound hearing loss. Profound loss needs strong amplification that BTEs, because of their size, are uniquely able to deliver — and custom earmolds ensure better sound quality, too. While they’re larger than “invisible” hearing aids, today’s BTEs are smaller than those you might have seen in the past. They offer powerful sound and larger batteries that can power your listening, uninterrupted, for longer periods of time. They are also available with Bluetooth and telecoils that can add another layer of hearing assistance by streaming sound directly to your ears.
In some cases of profound hearing loss, hearing aids aren’t effective. In those situations, cochlear implants are an effective alternative. These surgically implanted devices take over the work that a damaged cochlea is unable to do, stimulating the auditory nerve to send signals to the brain. A cochlear implant has two parts: one part is attached behind the ear on the exterior of the head to gather and process sound, while the other is implanted in the bone behind the ear and has an electrode array that extends into the cochlea.
All hearing aids include three basic components: a microphone, an amplifier and a speaker, otherwise referred to as a receiver. First, the microphone picks up sounds from your environment and converts them into a digital signal. The amplifier then increases the power of the sounds and processes the digital signal to match your unique hearing loss, which it sends into your ear through the receiver. The amplification helps the hair cells in the inner ear detect the sounds, which are then transported to the brain via the auditory nerve for processing.
Almost all hearing aids today are digital models, instead of analog. The advances in digital technology have been so helpful that they simply outpace what analog hearing aids can offer.
Digital hearing aids use complex technology to convert sound into digital signals. This delivers a more exact replication of the sounds in your environment and enables them to prioritize sounds like conversations over unwanted background noise.
Digital hearing aids are adaptable and can be programmed to your specific hearing loss needs. Because of this technology and personalization, digital is the preferred choice for individuals with hearing loss.
There are five main styles of hearing aids:
These names refer to how the hearing aid is positioned on or in the ear. Each style has benefits and considerations that need to be taken into account when shopping for hearing aids.
An in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aid sits in the entire bowl-shaped area of the outer ear or in the ear canal. ITE hearing aids can be worn by people with a wide range of hearing loss, from mild to severe, depending on the model.
Below are some ITE hearing aid pros and cons — your hearing care professional will explain which of these apply to models you are considering:
Pros:
Cons:
There are three sub-types of ITE hearing aids: in-the-canal (ITC), completely-in-canal (CIC) and invisible-in-canal (IIC). Learn more about each below.
As the name suggests, in-the-canal (ITC) hearing aids fit partly in the ear canal. ITC hearing aids are recommended for mild to moderate hearing loss.
Wondering about ITC hearing aids pros and cons? Consider these:
Pros
Cons
Completely-in-canal (CIC) hearing aids are very small, discreet and molded to fit inside the ear canal. This style is most recommended for those with mild to moderate hearing loss.
Pros
Cons
Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids sit behind or on top of the outer ear with tubing that directs the sound into the ear canal through custom-fitted earmolds . BTE hearing aids can be useful for people of any age and almost any degree or type of hearing loss, but their extra power makes them a particularly good choice for people with more severe hearing loss.
Below are the pros and cons of BTE hearing aids.
Pros
Cons
Receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aids function similarly to a BTE hearing aid but are generally smaller than traditional BTE hearing aids. The body of the device sits behind the ear and connects to a receiver in the ear canal. However, rather than a tube connecting the two pieces, a tiny wire runs between the body of the hearing aid and the receiver which sits in the ear canal. RIC hearing aids are appropriate for people with mild to moderately severe type hearing loss.
Below are some RIC hearing aid pros and cons:
Pros
Cons
As you explore your hearing aid options, consider your lifestyle and what you need from your hearing aids. Ask yourself a few questions:
Understanding your needs can help you determine which hearing aid features will help you maintain the lifestyle you want — just with better hearing.
Hearing aid technology has significantly advanced in recent years, and there are now many features to consider when shopping for hearing aids, including:
Bluetooth is a short-range wireless technology that connects two devices without a physical link like a cord. Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids give you the ability to send phone calls, music or TV directly to your hearing aids. This feature is a major leap forward in convenience and sound quality, making conversations, music and other media easier to understand.
Plus, Bluetooth technology continues to evolve, promising even greater hearing convenience in the coming years. Auracast technology utilizes a lower-energy form of Bluetooth (read: less demand on your batteries) to send digital signals directly to hearing aids and earbuds both from individual devices and in public spaces. Auracast-enabled hearing aids are coming to market, as are Auracast-enabled tech devices, and they are set to become the standard in the next few years thanks to their sparing energy use and high sound quality. Auracast technology is also much less expensive and complex to install in public buildings, so even more places like theaters, churches and airports will be able to provide audio support for people with hearing loss.
Learn more about Bluetooth hearing aid connections and find instructions for pairing hearing aids with iPhones® via Bluetooth.
While some hearing aids still have disposable zinc-air batteries, rechargeable hearing aids have become more popular for their convenience. Rechargeable hearing aids don't require you to change batteries every time the power gets low. Instead, a single charge can deliver up to 40+ hours of use with the latest hearing aid technology.
Hearing aid chargers are small and portable, so you can take them with you wherever you go. Rechargeable hearing aids automatically begin charging when placed in their charger; just put them in place at the end of your day and they’ll be fully charged by the morning. You’ll never have to worry about dead hearing devices again.
Tinnitus is the perception of sounds that don’t have an external source. In most cases, it sounds like ringing, roaring, humming or buzzing. It’s a common condition with no real cure, but hearing aids can help treat your symptoms.
The best hearing aids for tinnitus offer sound therapy, a tinnitus treatment that is programmed directly into the devices. These therapies are designed to distract you and reduce the perception of tinnitus, with the goal of training your brain to ignore any unwanted sounds in your ears.
With the help of a hearing care professional (HCP), you can determine whether a tinnitus-masking device is best for you.
Like most electronics, hearing aids work best when they are kept clean and dry. However, given their position in or on the ear, some hearing aids are designed to be water resistant and able to withstand the natural sweat and moisture that can develop in the ears. Consider looking for more waterproof/resistant hearing aids if:
Miracle-Ear now offers hearing aids that are waterproof with Miracle-EarBLISS™. This new line of hearing aids features HydroGuard, which features protective layers designed to shield your devices from sweat, rain, dirt and dust.
Ever wondered, “Why do hearing aids whistle?” This high-pitched noise is known as feedback. Hearing aid feedback occurs when microphones pick up sounds emitted by the speaker/receiver and attempt to process it through the hearing aid, “feeding it back” into itself. This can cause crackling in your ear or a whistling, screeching noise.
Because digital hearing aids can analyze feedback sounds, they can adjust the sound output of the hearing aids to help with feedback suppression.
Telecoils, also known as t-coils, are a hearing aid feature designed to assist people with hearing loss in public spaces. T-coils are actually a small copper wire inside the hearing aid that picks up signals from what’s called a loop system. A loop system is an assistive hearing system installed in public places that have audio amplification, such as schools, theaters, lecture halls or airports.
Loop systems are also made with copper wiring and are designed to send signals to any active telecoils in hearing aids that people are wearing, amplifying any announcements or other audio in the room/building. Some telephones are also telecoil-compatible, making conversations automatically easier to hear.
Learn about Bluetooth hearing aids! With Bluetooth® technology, your hearing aids become a gateway to a richer life.
Age-related hearing loss is known as presbycusis. Because this type of hearing loss cannot be reversed, hearing aids are often recommended as a treatment option. But finding the best hearing aids is largely based on individuals’ specific needs and lifestyles. Find more tips for shopping for hearing aids for seniors here.
Miracle-Ear offers a wide range of hearing aids featuring technology that aligns with your lifestyle needs and supports your hearing loss. While the best hearing aid is the one that you will regularly wear, here’s a quick look at what Miracle-Ear hearing aids offer:
Learn more about hearing aid types and styles that might be the best hearing aid for you.
Hearing aid costs can can range from between $1,000 to $5,000. Things like hearing aid styles and features are factors in determining hearing aid prices, but so are services, fittings, warranties and follow-up care. Be sure that you understand what’s included in the price of your purchase — some brands build everything into the initial price, while others add on costs after you buy.
The cost can be a barrier for some, but ultimately, it’s important to get the hearing care you need, when you need it. Here are a few things to consider as you examine your budget and your needs:
Over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids became available in the U.S. in 2022, following a final rule from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The intent was to create affordable and more accessible hearing aids without consulting a hearing healthcare professional.
However, OTC hearing aids typically don’t come with service and support from a licensed provider, while hearing aids from Miracle-Ear come with lifetime aftercare. Over-the-counter hearing aids are also not customized by a professional in the same way as prescription hearing aids. Finally, while OTC hearing aids can be immediately worn, they don’t require a full fitting or consultation, which can affect the user experience and efficacy of the devices.
Though OTC hearing aids may offer some support for those with mild to moderate hearing loss looking for a less costly option, they don’t offer the same customization, support and targeted hearing loss support that would be found in traditional prescription hearing aids.
While prescription hearing aids tend to cost more than some OTC hearing aids or other types of amplifiers, there are affordable hearing aid options. Miracle-EarEASY™ solutions offer affordable hearing aids in both RIC and BTE styles to meet your hearing loss needs and your budget.
Despite being priced lower than other hearing aids, these styles still include essential features, including directional microphones, feedback cancellation and speech and noise management. They’re also comfortable, lightweight.
Hearing aids and insurance have a complicated relationship, and nearly everyone’s situation is unique. Hearing aid insurance coverage depends greatly on your insurance provider, the details of your personal plan and the state you live in. Check with your insurance provider to see if you have coverage for hearing aids.
To find answers to some of the big questions around hearing aids and insurance, read our comprehensive guide.
The Miracle-Ear Foundation’s Gift of Sound™ program provides free hearing aids to low-income individuals who otherwise cannot afford them. With the help of an HCP at their nearest Miracle-Ear center, Gift of SoundTM recipients are provided with hearing healthcare services personalized to their needs — free of charge. Additionally, all Gift of SoundTM recipients also receive the same 3-year warranty and free aftercare and check-ins offered by the Miracle-Ear Advantage.
The Foundation serves people of all ages with all degrees of hearing loss, who have significantly limited incomes. Review the Miracle-Ear Foundation eligibility requirements to find out if you could benefit from this care.
There are a few steps involved in buying hearing aids. At Miracle-Ear, our hearing care professionals will guide you through the process, but this step-by-step guide will help you get familiar:
Nearly everything can be purchased on the internet, so why not order hearing aids online? The greatest appeal of ordering hearing aids online is the time convenience it offers. However, the downside to this convenience is the lack of support and specificity for your hearing loss needs. Most hearing aids sold online are some form of OTC hearing aid.
Prescription hearing aids require a prescription from a hearing health provider. While attending an appointment with an HCP might take time, these office visits mean you’re meeting with a licensed professional who can test your hearing to give you a complete and accurate understanding of your degree of hearing loss. They can also recommend the best prescription or OTC hearing loss solutions to you rather than having to guess on your own.
Hearing loss presents differently in everyone, depending on how you experience it and what may have caused your symptoms. Hearing loss types can be broken down into a few common categories.
The degrees of hearing loss are categorized by how loud sounds need to be for you to hear them in decibels (dB). There are four main hearing loss degrees: Mild, moderate, severe and profound profound (there are some variations, such as “moderately severe.”). As a baseline, the normal hearing loss range is -10 to 25 dB.
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