Entry-Level vs Premium Hearing Aids: How Your Lifestyle Should Guide Your Choice

Most people who don’t know much about hearing aids make the assumption that they are similar to prescription glasses: the worse the problem, the stronger the lens or hearing aid is needed to fix the issue. While there is some truth to the fact that different hearing aids are necessary for various levels of hearing loss, there are a lot of other factors that should be considered when you are choosing a hearing aid.

Think about hearing aids like you would choose a smartphone. As you are comparing your options, you will find unique features, personalization, and ways that the hearing aid can be adapted to your daily activities. Ultimately, the goal is to consider your lifestyle overall and then pick the hearing aid that provides the best features to help you have the best results throughout the day.

Yes, the level of hearing loss that you are experiencing is an important consideration. But you also need to consider your daily life and the types of environments where you will be using the hearing aids most often. In fact, lifestyle considerations are some of the biggest factors that can impact your success with hearing aids.

What Do Hearing Aids Actually Do?

The core job of a hearing aid is to amplify the sounds that are around you so that you can hear everything better. Regardless of whether you choose an entry-level hearing aid or a premium model, you are going to have the benefit of a small device in your ear that makes things louder.

But a high-quality hearing aid will also do much more. Modern technology brings new features that can improve your experience overall. For example, the right hearing aid can help with sound processing, decreasing background noise, and make it easier for you to focus on the specific sounds you want to hear.

The technology has come so far, especially in recent years. In fact, many premium hearing aids can even make real-time adjustments based on your environment. But the responsiveness varies depending on the type of hearing aid that you choose.

Entry-Level Hearing Aids: A Decent Solution on a Budget

The basic models of hearing aids are obviously going to be more affordable than the premium options. If you are on a budget, will an entry-level hearing aid be good enough for what you need?

These basic hearing aids offer a decent foundation that can improve your hearing experience:

• Sound amplification
• A bit of background noise reduction
• Limited adjustments (such as manual volume control)
• Some models offer programs for various settings (such as a quiet room vs. loud public space)

If you spend most of your time in a quiet environment and have predictable surroundings, then an entry-level hearing aid will probably be sufficient. For example, these hearing aids work well for older people who spend most of their time at home.

Basic hearing aids are great for one-on-one conversations or watching TV. But they don’t meet the requirements that you need if you are spending a lot of time in louder or busier environments. If you choose this type of hearing aid, then know that you might need to make more manual adjustments and there are fewer personalization features compared to more modern, advanced hearing aids.

Premium Hearing Aids: Modern Technology for Your Busy Lifestyle

If you enjoy a busy lifestyle in a lot of different environments, then it probably makes sense to choose a higher-end hearing aid. These devices are designed using the latest advancements in technology, making it easier to adapt to the surroundings.

Unique features available in premium hearing aids might include:

• Directional microphones that make it easier to focus on voices in a loud environment
• Advanced noise reduction features
• Automatic adjustments that adapt to different environments
• Bluetooth connection so that you can take phone calls and stream music through the hearing aids
• Artificial intelligence that will learn your preferences over time
• Rechargeable batteries so you don’t have to spend money on replacement batteries
• Programs that mask the sounds and discomfort of tinnitus
• Better sound quality so that things sound more natural

If you are often going to social events, restaurants, or meetings, then it’s worth the cost to invest in a higher-end hearing aid. These features are also helpful if you are often on the phone or taking video calls and you want the hearing aids to integrate with the devices that you are using.

Also, the features in premium hearing aids are helpful if you are in environments where there is a lot of traffic, different types of sounds around you, or wind.

Lifestyle Matters with Hearing Aid Use

Two people might have the same level of hearing loss, but their experience with hearing aids will be quite different depending on the way they live each day.

For example, if someone is retired and spending a lot of time in a quiet environment at home, their hearing aid use is going to be quite different from a working professional who is often in meetings and on phone calls. Also, someone who travels frequently and spends time in airports and restaurants will require even more advanced features in their hearing aids.

The more variety you encounter in your environments, the more benefit you will find in these advanced features. Entry-level hearing aids aren’t going to cut it because you need more comfort and ease in these loud and challenging environments.

Expert Advice to Help You Choose Entry-Level vs Premium Hearing Aids

The best thing that you can do is consult with an expert who will help you choose the ideal hearing aids for your unique needs. Schedule an appointment with our audiologist so that we can assess your hearing and discuss your lifestyle. It’s worth the time and effort to have the right hearing aid selection and optimal programming during a professional fitting.

Also, keep in mind that your brain will adapt to the hearing aid over time, which is why it can be helpful to have ongoing adjustments. You are always welcome to visit our office for routine maintenance and check-ins as needed.

For more information about hearing aids and more, contact our team at Fairfax Hearing Center to book a consultation.