Thinking about getting hearing aids or upgrading the ones you currently own? There's no better time than now!
Today’s latest hearing technology is designed to not only help you hear your best through clear, true-to-life sound, but also amplify sounds you want to hear and diminish sounds you don’t. Did we mention you can now even monitor your wellness with hearing aids? The list goes on.
Thanks to today’s innovations, you have many hearing aid options to choose from to suit your hearing loss, ear anatomy, lifestyle, budget, and cosmetic appeal.
Explore all the hearing aid options available to you using our simplified guide below.
Style: Standard or custom
Standard hearing aids are the most common of all hearing aids. They are available in a few different sizes, but the overall style is the same: Each device tucks behind the ear and has an earbud (or custom earmold) that is connected to the hearing aid by a slim cable or tubing. This earpiece then inserts into the ear.
Standard hearing aids are available with user controls that allow you to adjust sound and volume, change programs, and more. But if you prefer simplicity, you can always opt for hearing aids that can adjust on their own, automatically.
Available as rechargeable, battery-powered, wireless, and non-wireless, standard hearing aids are fantastic for first-time wearers because they are durable and easy to hold and adjust—which is ideal if you have dexterity issues.
Custom hearing aids are personalized for you by taking earmold impressions and then creating the hearing aid to fit your unique ear shape. They come in a variety of sizes—from devices that hide completely in the ear to devices that rest snugly outside the ear canal.
Like standard hearing aids, you and your hearing care professional have a say in which features and functions you would prefer for your custom devices. But what’s different is that you can opt for no user controls (if you prefer to put them in and go—without touching them for the entire day, for example).
Available as rechargeable, battery-powered, wireless, and non-wireless, custom hearing aids are great for anyone who would like their hearing aids to be a little more discreet. In other words, you would like to hear better but aren’t 100% comfortable advertising your hearing loss.
(We should note that custom hearing aids aren’t right for everyone, as some ear canals or hearing needs aren’t conducive to fitting them. Work closely with your hearing care professional to decide which type of hearing aid style is best for you.)
Want to do even more with your standard or custom hearing aids? If you choose the latest wireless (or Bluetooth® enabled) hearing aids, Genesis AI, you can connect them to the My Starkey app: Track engagement and physical activities. Adjust and create programs. Translate languages. And much more.
Power: Battery or rechargeable
Battery-powered hearing aids operate on a small zinc-air battery that is activated by oxygen once you remove the seal. To keep them operating their best, you will want to replace the battery when it is low or drained. You’ll know it’s time to do this when you notice sound becoming consistently distorted or you find you’re increasingly turning up the volume. (The hearing aids may also alert you though a low-battery “beep” or audio voice.)
Expect to change the hearing aid battery about once a week or twice a month—but this can vary depending on the type of hearing aid, battery size, and frequency of use and streaming.
Available as standard, custom, wireless, and non-wireless, battery-powered hearing aids are best for anyone who prefers to travel light or frequently go off the grid without a charger in tow, and enjoy continuous use without the wait—if you have spare batteries nearby. (Thankfully, you can find hearing aid batteries at most retailers and pharmacies.)
Rechargeable hearing aids are powered by charging them in a hearing aid charger instead of inserting batteries. (They have a built-in, on-board battery you never remove.) You simply put the rechargeable hearing aids in the charger overnight and then delight in continuous use all day long—even if you stream a lot.
Gone are the worries about having spare batteries handy or running out of power mid-conversation. You may even consider these devices more economical than battery-powered hearing aids, since you won’t need to continuously purchase batteries—which makes them more eco-friendly, too.
Available as standard, custom, wireless, and non-wireless, rechargeable hearing aids are ideal for anyone looking to make their hearing aid use an even more seamless part of their everyday life.
Did you know Genesis AI can deliver up to 51 hours on a single charge—no matter how much you stream? Check it out.
Connection: Wireless or non-wireless
Wireless hearing aids are built with the circuitry to receive and transmit signals between the hearing aids and other electronic devices. In other words, these hearing aids are Bluetooth compatible, meaning they can easily connect to smartphones, computers, tablets, TVs, and hearing aid accessories like Table Microphones, TV Streamers, and beyond.
The wonder of wireless allows you to enhance the connection to your world: Stream calls, music, or other audio straight to your hearing aids. Listen to the TV at the volume you want, through your devices. Control your hearing aids, track your health, and more by connecting to the My Starkey app. Again, the list goes on.
Available as standard, custom, rechargeable, or battery-powered, wireless hearing aids are perfect for anyone who wants to personalize their listening experience and enjoys frequent use of their Bluetooth devices.
Non-wireless hearing aids are hearing technology without any wireless/Bluetooth connection capability to things like smartphones, tablets, TVs, computers, etc. So, rather than controlling your hearing aids through other smart devices, you manually control them yourself (through a user control, if desired).
If you choose to go non-wireless but still crave some sound enhancement—let’s say, when you talk on the phone or visit somewhere noisy like an airport—you may ask your hearing care professional about a non-wireless hearing aid with a telecoil.
A telecoil (sometimes called “t-coil”) is a small magnetic sensor that allows hearing aids to connect to different sound sources like a phone or public address system. This can give you sound-quality improvements that go beyond a traditional hearing aid microphone—particularly in environments with lots of background noise. In fact, in properly equipped venues, like an airport or theater, t-coils can allow a hearing aid to act as a personal “loudspeaker” for the public sound system.
Available as custom, standard, battery-powered, or rechargeable, non-wireless hearing aids are a good fit for anyone who prefers to keep their hearing aids simple: You want to hear your best—no other “bells and whistles” needed.
What are your best options? Ask a professional
Now that you have a basic understanding of the hearing aid choices available to you, the next step is an easy one: Make an appointment with a licensed hearing care professional to evaluate your hearing and help you find the best hearing aid for your needs. If you don't have one already, simply visit our website to find a provider near you.
“Hear’s” to the beginning of hearing better and living better—with the right hearing aids for you.