Our in-house clinician Clinton Nottingham explains hearing aid options :

To anyone who has thought about the overwhelming choice of hearing aids on the market: how do you ensure value for money? You can cheat by skipping to the end of this article, but I’ll briefly explain this for you.

There are three types of modern hearing aids. Speaker-in-the-Ear hearing aids are generally the most popular, and for good reason. They allow sound to enter the ear naturally without being amplified, resulting in better sound and comfort. These models usually have two microphones to allow focus on sound from the front, which is helpful in noisy places.

In-the-Ear hearing aids are custom moulded to your ear. Although they are arguably less noticeable, many people dislike them as they are uncomfortable and do not allow the ear to breathe. They may not perform well in noisy places (as they have one microphone) and may be less secure in the ear.

Behind-the-Ear are the largest and most powerful type suitable for those with severe hearing losses. They have all the benefits of the Speaker-in-the-Ear type.

A word of advice: price is not a good guide for hearing aids any more. Don’t get talked into buying something as expensive as a small car, with additional ‘programs’ and ‘software’ that you will never need. They are marketing guffaw unsupported by evidence-based trials. The base models are fine. If in doubt, try before you buy and see for yourself.

This reminds me of the fitness industry in the early 2000’s when Fitness First was the major player and membership prices were clouded in secrecy. They didn’t tell you the prices if you called and asked. You had to come into the centre so you could be given the sales pitch. No wonder there have been a proliferation of 24 hour gyms offering real value for money causing Fitness First to close hundreds of centres. Hearing aid companies don’t list prices on their websites for the same reason.

There are five key technologies that you should look for when purchasing. These are listed on our website. Another important fact: you will need some kind of post-sales support, advice and fine-tuning down the track, so make sure this is available to you.