Jump to content

  • Set Your Location
  • Sign in or Enroll
Set Your LocationKahi Mohala
  • Sign in or Enroll
    • Open I want to choose my medical group or hospital
    • Clear my location
Change Location
Sutter Health
  • Video Visits
  • Find Doctors
  • Find Locations
  • Treatments & Services
    • Video Visits
    • Find Doctors
    • Find Locations
    • Treatments & Services
    • COVID-19 Resources
    • Pay a Bill
    • Symptom Checker
    • Get Care Today
    • Health & Wellness
    • Classes & Events
    • Research & Clinical Trials
    • For Patients
    • About Sutter Health
    • Giving
    • Volunteering
    • Careers
    • News
    • For Medical Professionals
    • Other Business Services
Close Search
  • Home
  • Kāhi Mōhala
  • Ask an Expert
  • Which Hearing Aids Are Best?
Content

Ask An Expert

Which Hearing Aids Are Best?

Ask the Expert Team

Ask the Expert Team

Sutter Health

Question:

I have moderate hearing loss in both ears. I've been fitted with behind the ear hearing aids at three centers with no real improvement in discerning speech (ambient noise comes through loud and clear). Which are best to help me hear normal conversations?

Answer:

There are many brands of hearing aids and some are clearly more advanced than others. Without seeing your hearing test and taking a thorough history of your listening needs, it is hard to say what would work the best for you.

Lower cost hearing aids tend to have less active processors that may or may not be helpful in challenging situations. More expensive hearing aids are supposed to have higher level processors to help patients hear better in noisy places.

I am a fan of the hearing aids that go back behind the ear. I feel this style of hearing aid offers more versatility than the type that go all inside the ear. There are more potential variables that can be utilized: the size of the earpiece or dome, the openness of the ear canal, ability to switch programs manually or use a volume type control, the circuit power and variability, and the distance between the microphone and the open area of the earpiece. There certainly are good reasons to fit the in-the-ear type hearing aids as well: someone who is comfortable with wearing this style and has had them in the past or has limited mobility and feeling in their hands might benefit from the in-the-ear type more.

As a consumer, I recommend the following elements be considered when purchasing hearing aids:
  1. Find someone who listens to your needs and asks questions about your lifestyle (or takes a thorough history from you)
  2. Ask what brands/manufacturers of hearing aids the office carries. I like to see at least three manufacturers represented on the list
  3. Ask for written information (brochures) that tell something about each manufacturer and their products. These brochures should also include a website for you to do some research.
  4. Make sure you are comfortable working with the person fitting your hearing aids, and ask questions about what is being done to them. A good dispenser will be able to talk to you in terms you can understand.

Related Questions

Question
  • Treating Swimmer's Ear
    What is "swimmer's ear" and what is the best way to deal with it?
  • Symptoms of Meniere's Disease
    I have been diagnosed with Meniere's Disease. I have always had ringing in my left ear. Recently I have noted a thumping sound in my left ear. Is this another symptom of Meniere's Disease?
  • Tickling in Ear Canal
    For the past three months, I've had a constant and irritating tickle in my inner ear. It even wakes me up at night. I've used ear rinses and had my primary care doctor examine it, but she could not find anything. Any suggestions?
  • Hearing Tests for Children
    My 10-year-old daughter is having trouble with comprehension and focus in school. Do you think that her hearing should be tested?
  • Loud Music and Hearing Loss
    I use ear buds with my MP3 player and wondered what volume of sound is safe. Can loud music cause hearing loss?

Back to Ear, Nose and Throat

The Sutter Health Network of Care
Expertise to fit your needs
Primary Care

Check-ups, screenings and sick visits for adults and children.

Specialty Care

Expertise and advanced technologies in all areas of medicine.

Emergency Care

For serious accidents, injuries and conditions that require immediate medical care.

Urgent Care

After-hours, weekend and holiday services.

Walk-In Care

Convenient walk-in care clinics for your non-urgent health needs.

  • Contact Us
  • Find Doctors
  • Find Locations
  • Request Medical Records
  • Make a Gift
Sign in to My Health Online

Billing and Insurance

  • Pay a Bill
  • Accepted Health Plans
  • Estimate Costs
  • Medicare Advantage

About Sutter

  • About Our Network
  • Community Benefit
  • Annual Report
  • News

Our Team

  • For Employees
  • For Medical Professionals
  • For Vendors
  • For Volunteers

Careers

  • Jobs at Sutter
  • Physician Jobs
  • Graduate Medical Education

Copyright © 2023 Sutter Health. All rights reserved. Sutter Health is a registered trademark of Sutter Health ®, Reg. U.S. Patent & Trademark office.

  • ADA Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
  • LinkedIn Opens new window
  • YouTube Opens new window
  • Facebook Opens new window
  • Twitter Opens new window
  • Instagram Opens new window
  • Glassdoor Opens new window

Cookie Policy

We use cookies to give you the best possible user experience. By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences

Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences