If you are having issues with your hearing, you're not alone: 15% of people over the age of 18 in the United States suffer from some sort of hearing problem — and 1 in 8 people over the age of 12 have hearing loss in both ears. Unfortunately, only 30% of those aged 70 years and older who could benefit from having a hearing aid actually use one.1
Choosing the right type of hearing aid is important — you should feel comfortable using it daily, and your hearing aid should work for your lifestyle. Just as there are different types and levels of hearing loss, there are many different hearing aid styles and features.
Here, we'll help you learn more about factors to consider so you can make the right choice when buying a hearing aid.
1. Hearing Aids Have Three Components
All hearing aids, whether analog or digital, have three basic components:2
- A microphone captures the sounds around you.
- An amplifier analyzes and converts those sounds into electrical or digital signals.
- A receiver carries the amplified sounds to your ear canal so you can hear them better.
It's important to determine what a hearing aid actually is when shopping for devices yourself, especially online. When looking at devices, note that:2
- Hearing aids only amplify some sounds to improve your hearing and are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
- Personal sound amplification products (PSAPs) amplify all sounds and are not regulated by the FDA. They are used for recreational activities like bird watching and hunting, which is why they typically cost much less than hearing aids.
2. Hearing Aids Come in Several Different Styles
There are many styles of hearing aids available, depending on your needs. Generally, you'll find styles including:3
- Invisible-in-the-canal (IIC), the smallest hearing aid you'll find that fits in the second bend of your ear canal, making it almost impossible to see.4
- Completely-in-the-canal (CIC), one of the smallest styles you'll find that fits completely in the ear canal.
- In-the-canal (ITC), a style that fits partially in the ear canal.
- In-the-ear (ITE), which fits into different parts of your outer ear.
- Behind-the-ear (BTE), which hooks over your ear and sits behind it.
- Receiver-in-canal (RIC) has a piece that sits within the ear canal and one that sits behind the ear.
- Open-fit sits both behind the ear and with a dome within the ear to keep the ear canal very open.
3. Smaller Hearing Aids Aren't Always Better
While many people prefer having a smaller and less visible hearing aid to avoid the stigma associated with hearing loss, those tiny invisible or CIC-style aids aren't always the best choice for everyone. In fact, those little aids can:3
- Be difficult to handle
- Lack the extensive features of larger hearing aids
- Easily become clogged with ear wax
- Have small batteries that have a shorter life span
4. Hearing Aid Costs Vary
The average cost of a hearing aid is around $2,300 per ear. Expect to pay anywhere from $1,000 to $4,000 per ear in most cases for hearing aids, although for those with severe hearing loss, costs can range up to $6,000 per ear.5
5. Most Hearing Aids Are Digital
Originally, hearing aids were analog, working much like a telephone to convert sound waves into electronic signals, amplify them and then convert them back into sound waves for the user. Today's hearing aids are mostly digital, using a computer chip to convert sound waves into digital signals, which are then amplified and converted back into sound waves.2
Computer technology has greatly improved the quality of the sounds being amplified and provides better noise reduction for users. Digital hearing aids also offer additional features like Bluetooth® connectivity and app controls.2
6. Not All Hearing Aids Are the Same
While the technology behind hearing aids has advanced by leaps and bounds throughout the years, that doesn't mean that all hearing aids are the same, regardless of price. In fact, those with extensive advanced features customized to your hearing profile will cost considerably more than those with limited features.2
Features that will add to the cost of your hearing aid include:2
- Background noise reduction to help limit the noise around you so you can better focus on sounds and conversations near you
- Directional microphones that help you focus on specific sounds and conversations in front of and behind you.6 Some even automatically adjust depending on your environment.2
- Bluetooth connectivity, which allows you to use your hearing aid like headphones to stream everything from your cellphone conversations to your television's sound
- Feedback cancellation that reduces the "whistling" sound caused by some hearing aids
- Automatic sound adjustment capabilities, which change based on your environment. For example, your hearing aid will adjust to quieter or more noisy environments to help you hear better.
- Wind noise suppression, which helps reduce the interference of wind noise in outdoor environments6
- Telecoils that work with other devices called hearing loops, which may help you better understand voices in public spaces such as places of worship or theaters
7. Shopping Online Can Help You Save Money
For those dealing with mild to moderate hearing loss, buying an over-the-counter hearing aid online might be a better option for your finances. On average, the cost of a hearing aid purchased online is around $1,195 per ear, as opposed to the average cost of $3,000 per ear if purchased via prescription at a hearing care clinic.2
8. Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids Aren't for Everyone
For those with moderate to severe hearing loss, an over-the-counter hearing aid isn't an option that will help you hear better. You'll need to stick with prescription hearing aids recommended by your hearing care provider, or even consider a cochlear implant.7
9. Avoid Feedback From Hearing Aids
Feedback can appear as an annoying whistling sound if your hearing aid doesn't fit properly. Work with your hearing aid provider to ensure your hearing aid fits properly and is set to the right volume to avoid any feedback.8 Some hearing aids come with feedback cancellation to help with this issue.2
10. Get a Demonstration Before You Purchase
When purchasing from a hearing care professional, ask for a demonstration — including how to use all the features of the hearing aid — before you buy it.9 You can also check to see if the facility offers hearing aid training to help you get the most out of your hearing aid, especially in different types of environments.
11. You Can Lease a Hearing Aid
One of the options you have to mitigate the cost of a hearing aid is to lease it, which can offer several benefits:10
- Leasing a hearing aid will allow you to choose one with more advanced features on a more reasonable budget.
- Total leases last between three and four years, after which you can purchase the device outright or upgrade to a new one.
- Overall costs may be more expensive than purchasing a hearing aid outright, but this could be a more budget-friendly option for those with limited funds.
12. Hearing Aids Are Typically Not Covered by Insurance
While some health insurance companies may cover some or all of the cost of your hearing aids, most don't. Medicare does not cover the cost of hearing aids and Medicaid only covers the cost of hearing aids for those under 21 years old.5
13. Hearing Aids Can Act as Bluetooth Speakers
Many hearing aids available today do double duty as Bluetooth-compatible wireless speakers that allow you to listen to music, television, gaming devices, your cellphone and even your computer.3
Always check if the hearing aids allow you to have Bluetooth connectivity or Bluetooth streaming, which differ. Streaming allows you to use your hearing aids to take calls and listen to music, while connectivity may only allow you to connect to other devices through an app.2
14. Hearing Aids Should Last Years
Most hearing aids last between three and seven years with proper maintenance and care.11 Because of the monetary investment, it's a good idea to get an annual hearing test with your doctor to see if your hearing aids need any adjustments during their lifetime.2
15. Rechargeable Batteries Can Save Money
While some hearing aids come with rechargeable batteries, not all of them do. This is an important consideration because:2
- Rechargeable batteries can last up to five years before you would need to replace them.
- You need to change disposable batteries every three days to three weeks, which can get expensive.
- Changing batteries can be difficult with small hearing aids.3
- Rechargeable devices charge overnight in their case, meaning they'll always be ready for use in the morning.
16. Some Hearing Aids Are Remote- or App-Controlled
Forget dealing with tiny controls on your hearing aids because many modern ones are compatible with an app that allows you to easily control them from your cellphone. This is a great option for small hearing aids that are harder to control directly due to their size.3
Others may come with a separate remote control that allows you to control them without touching them directly, much like an app. And for those with two hearing aids, these remote or app controls usually allow you to synchronize them in terms of volume and programming.3
17. You Can Try Your Hearing Aid Before You Buy It
Did you know that many hearing aids offer a trial period of at least 45 days? This allows you to try out the hearing aid during this time to determine whether or not the hearing aid is comfortable for you and working correctly.2
If you aren't satisfied with your hearing aid during this time, you can return it for a full or partial refund and try something else that might work better for you. Always check with the retailer to determine:
- Whether they offer a trial period
- What the trial period is. Usually, this ranges from 30 to 60 days.7
- How much of a refund you get if you return your hearing aid within the trial period
18. Hearing Aids Keep You Healthy and Happy
Hearing aids not only help you hear better, but they can prevent other medical problems, too. When your hearing loss goes untreated, you may experience a variety of health issues, including:12
- Dementia
- An increased risk of falling13
- Depression
- Loneliness
- Irritability
- A loss of the ability to concentrate
- Reduced job performance
19. Always Choose a Hearing Aid With a Warranty
Before buying your hearing aid, make sure it comes with a warranty, which can save you money over time.2
- Not all warranties are equal, though. They may last anywhere from one to three years from the date of purchase, so always check before buying.
- Ask if you can extend the warranty period even longer and how much that cost would be.
- Look for warranties that cover both the cost of repairs and replacement of the hearing aid during the warranty period.
20. You Can Finance the Cost of Hearing Aids
Although the price of hearing aids can be quite steep, there are a few ways you can finance the cost of your hearing aids. You can use:
- Cash or savings to pay outright for the cost of your hearing aids
- A standard credit card to pay for the cost of your hearing aids over time
- An HSA or FSA account (if you have one) to pay for the cost of your hearing aids14
- The CareCredit credit card, which many hearing care professionals accept across the country
21. Your Hearing Aid Provider Can Help
Your hearing care provider is a valuable resource when purchasing a hearing aid.
- It's a good idea to ask your hearing care provider for hearing aid recommendations, as well as any additional features you may want to consider based on your specific type of hearing loss, your needs and your lifestyle.
- The provider can help ensure the perfect fit for your hearing aid.
- It can also be helpful to bring along a family member or friend to your hearing appointments and when you're shopping for and considering different types of hearing aids.
Financing Ear Care With the CareCredit Credit Card
The CareCredit credit card can help you pay for hearing care, including regular hearing tests, screenings and more.* Apply today and use our Acceptance Locator to find a hearing specialist near you that accepts CareCredit. Continue to invest in your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U hub for more great articles, podcasts and videos.
Author Bio
Susan Paretts is a freelance writer with 19 years of experience covering health and wellness, pet care and more. Her work has been published by the American Kennel Club, Bayer Animal Health, Elanco, LIVESTRONG.com, The San Francisco Chronicle, Chewy and more.