There are different technology levels when it comes to hearing aids, but what are the big differences between them? There are basic, mid range, and premium technology levels for hearing aids. Let’s take a look at the differences between a basic and premium hearing aid.
It’s what’s on the inside that matters. Even though a basic hearing aid can look the same as a premium hearing aid on the outside, the differences on what they can and can’t do are on the inside.
A premium hearing aid has the ability to be more customizable than a basic level hearing aid. We are sure you have heard the word “channels” when it comes to hearing aids. Well, the more “channels” a hearing aid has, the more that hearing aid can be finely tuned to your specific hearing loss needs.
How a basic hearing aid works while in background noise is vastly different than how a premium hearing aid functions. With a premium hearing aids, both of your hearing aids work together to analyze your listening environment and give you the best ability to understand speech in a noisy environment. Basic hearing aids do not have that ability.
How well you hear in different situations depends on the hearing aid technology level. A basic hearing aid has limited programming: a program to amplify all sounds around you, a program that muffles sounds around you but focuses in on what is in front of you, and a program that makes sounds seem more natural. With a premium hearing aid, the hearing aid has a program for almost every situation you are in: in the car, at home, while in a restaurant, in a noisy situation, in a big open space, basically any situation your find yourself in. It comes down to how well the hearing aid processes sound and a premium hearing aid has the technology to process sound better. Premium hearing aids will also switch into these different programs automatically, there is no need to tap any buttons. A premium hearing aid is actually better at identifying what program you need more so than you can yourself.
Another difference between basic and premium hearing aid technology is how well they get rid of annoying sounds. For example, you are having a conversation with your spouse while taking a walk outside. When the wind blows, a premium hearing aid will cut down on the wind sound so you don’t have to struggle to hear the conversation over the wind. With a basic hearing aid, the wind sound is picked up and you will struggle with understanding the conversation.
During your hearing aid consultation, your Audiologist will ask about your lifestyle. With that, and your type and severity of hearing loss, your Audiologist will recommend the hearing aid technology level that would be most beneficial to you, your lifestyle, and your family. Because of the different levels of technology available, there is a hearing aid that is right for you.
To find out what hearing aid technology level would be most beneficial to you, just call Lemme Audiology Associates at (814) 941-7770 to schedule your complimentary hearing aid consultation.
FAQs
The in-the-canal (ITC) hearing aid is made to fit the size and shape of a person's ear canal. A completely-in-canal (CIC) hearing aid is nearly hidden in the ear canal. Both types are used for mild to moderately severe hearing loss. Because they are small, canal aids may be difficult for a person to adjust and remove.
What is a Level 3 hearing aid? ›
Level 3 hearing aid technology is designed for individuals who lead active lifestyles and whose listening environments contain moderate background noise.
What is a Level One hearing aid? ›
Hearing aids range from Tier 1 (least advanced) to Tier 4 (most advanced). Tier 1 Hearing Aids: • Offer improvement over untreated hearing loss. • Help with understanding in less complex environments (more complex environments remain a challenge) • Amplify and filter sound where help is needed.
What are the levels of hearing aid technology? ›
Typically, the different hearing aid technology levels can be categorised into: Essential, Standard, Advanced, and Premium. Naturally, the higher up the rating you go you'll have access to more features and functions, but you can expect to be paying more.
What are the 4 types of hearing? ›
While hearing loss can range from mild to profound, there are four classifications that all hearing losses fall under. The four types of hearing loss are sensorineural, conductive, mixed (sensorineural and conductive) and auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD).
What is a Class 2 hearing aid? ›
That status—a regulatory pathway for novel low- to moderate-risk devices for which there is no prior legally marketed device—allowed the device to be marketed. Class II is the most common regulatory category—meant for devices that pose moderate-to-high risk to the user—and includes most wireless hearing aids.
Are there different levels of hearing? ›
Mild hearing loss: Hearing loss of 20 to 40 decibels. Moderate hearing loss: Hearing loss of 41 to 60 decibels. Severe hearing loss: Hearing loss of 61 to 80 decibels. Profound hearing loss or deafness: Hearing loss of more than 81 decibels.
What is the highest level hearing aid? ›
Introducing the world's most powerful hearing aid
Oticon Xceed opens up your world like never before. The only power hearing aid that offers the open sound experience. Connect wirelessly to any modern smartphone and a wide range of accessories.
What level of hearing loss requires a hearing aid? ›
Hearing Loss Ranges (in decibels)
There are different levels of hearing loss. Some forms of hearing loss can be treated with a hearing aid. If your hearing falls into the 26-70 dB range (mild to moderate), a hearing aid can be very effective in restoring sounds for your daily life.
What is Level 2 hearing loss? ›
2. Moderate: Hearing loss is considered moderate if it falls within the range of 41 to 55 dB. People with moderate hearing loss may struggle to hear and understand conversations, especially in noisy situations. They may miss out on important speech sounds and frequently ask others to repeat themselves.
Some of the most popular types of hearing aids include receiver-in-canal (RIC), in-the-ear (ITE), and behind-the-ear (BTE) styles.
What is the average cost of a good hearing aid? ›
The average cost of one hearing aid is approximately $2,000, and most people need one for each ear, says Dave Fabry, Ph.
Is it better to get a hearing aid from an audiologist? ›
Seek a referral to a reputable audiologist.
An audiologist will assess your hearing, help you choose the most appropriate hearing aid and adjust the device to meet your needs. If you have hearing loss in both ears, you will get best results with two hearing aids.
Which hearing aid has the best speech clarity? ›
Sennheiser's Conversation Clear Plus are advanced earbuds designed to improve speech understanding in noisy environments. They offer many useful features such as automatic adjustments, speech enhancement, beamforming microphones, wireless app control, and Bluetooth™ streaming for most devices.
