Business Insight presented by Northwest Speech and Hearing Center Choosing Your Hearing Aids While the National Institute for Health reports that approximately 30 million Americans would benefit from using hearing aids, only about twenty percent of those people seek out treatment and use them. If you need hearing aids but have not yet committed, here are some tips to help you find the right solution. Hearing aids are not a one-size-fits- all offering. Types of hearing loss and the manifestation of the loss varies from person to person. With that in mind, it is important to get a hearing evaluation and treatment plan from a Doctor of Audiology (AUD). They are best qualified to diagnose and non- medically treat hearing loss. Buying hearing aids online or off the shelf in a big box store may be less expensive but may cost you more in the long run as that will likely not address your hearing issue. A process called "real ear measurement" is the only way you can know if your hearing aids are set appropriately for your hearing loss. An audiologist can conduct appropriate testing, recommend the right hearing aid for your needs, and further, adjust them as your hearing changes over time. Remember, hearing aids don't "fix" hearing loss; they help you adjust and compensate. Your hearing will continue to change as you age so even the most effective hearing aids will need to be adjusted and eventually replaced as technology evolves. Choosing the proper amplification is just one component in hearing help. Hearing aids need adjustments and personalization. Having an audiologist that you see regularly plays a vital role in that ongoing process. Lifestyle plays an important role in choosing and maintaining hearing Northwest Speech and Hearing Center Ltd. Marie Vetter-Toalson, Au.D aids. Factors to be considered include how active you are, the noise level in your work environment, how often you frequent settings with challenging noise conditions like restaurants, concerts, or the theater, and even your family situation such as spending time with grandchildren. A Doctor of Audiology will have access to hearing aids from multiple manufacturers, diverse technology, and devices for different budgets to make sure you don't have to compromise your lifestyle to improve your hearing. And yes, technology matters. Hearing aids now come in a variety of designs, connect with phones and other Bluetooth devices, and can be controlled easily and discreetly. Newer computer chips are much better in complex noise environments such as churches, restaurants, and meetings. The audiologist will work with you to choose what brand and technology level is most appropriate. To find out if hearing aids are right for you, and if so, which device will provide the best solution for your needs, give us a call today to schedule your evaluation. Northwest Speech and Hearing Center 1100 W. Central Rd., Ste. 409 Arlington Heights, IL 60005 847-392-2250 Business Insight presented by Northwest Speech and Hearing Center Choosing Your Hearing Aids While the National Institute for Health reports that approximately 30 million Americans would benefit from using hearing aids , only about twenty percent of those people seek out treatment and use them . If you need hearing aids but have not yet committed , here are some tips to help you find the right solution . Hearing aids are not a one - size - fits- all offering . Types of hearing loss and the manifestation of the loss varies from person to person . With that in mind , it is important to get a hearing evaluation and treatment plan from a Doctor of Audiology ( AUD ) . They are best qualified to diagnose and non- medically treat hearing loss . Buying hearing aids online or off the shelf in a big box store may be less expensive but may cost you more in the long run as that will likely not address your hearing issue . A process called " real ear measurement " is the only way you can know if your hearing aids are set appropriately for your hearing loss . An audiologist can conduct appropriate testing , recommend the right hearing aid for your needs , and further , adjust them as your hearing changes over time . Remember , hearing aids don't " fix " hearing loss ; they help you adjust and compensate . Your hearing will continue to change as you age so even the most effective hearing aids will need to be adjusted and eventually replaced as technology evolves . Choosing the proper amplification is just one component in hearing help . Hearing aids need adjustments and personalization . Having an audiologist that you see regularly plays a vital role in that ongoing process . Lifestyle plays an important role in choosing and maintaining hearing Northwest Speech and Hearing Center Ltd. Marie Vetter - Toalson , Au.D aids . Factors to be considered include how active you are , the noise level in your work environment , how often you frequent settings with challenging noise conditions like restaurants , concerts , or the theater , and even your family situation such as spending time with grandchildren . A Doctor of Audiology will have access to hearing aids from multiple manufacturers , diverse technology , and devices for different budgets to make sure you don't have to compromise your lifestyle to improve your hearing . And yes , technology matters . Hearing aids now come in a variety of designs , connect with phones and other Bluetooth devices , and can be controlled easily and discreetly . Newer computer chips are much better in complex noise environments such as churches , restaurants , and meetings . The audiologist will work with you to choose what brand and technology level is most appropriate . To find out if hearing aids are right for you , and if so , which device will provide the best solution for your needs , give us a call today to schedule your evaluation . Northwest Speech and Hearing Center 1100 W. Central Rd . , Ste . 409 Arlington Heights , IL 60005 847-392-2250