What to do first: It is my belief that the first thing you want to do is see your doctor and have your hearing tested. I have been in practice for over 38 years and I can’t tell you how many people we have helped solve their hearing loss just by removing ear wax. We also have sent thousands of people to see their doctor that had serious medical conditions, including tumors that could have been life threatening. Some health conditions such as these were found while a patient was getting their hearing test performed. My point is: If you have hearing loss, make that simple appointment. Though rare, it could even save your life.

If you have seen your doctor and have a free hearing loss test, now you can decide how you want to correct your hearing loss with amplification. If you have had your hearing tested even by your doctor — by now you know that most testing is done in hopes you will purchase a hearing aid from them. Don’t be shocked when you go shopping for hearing aids and you find out they they are not inexpensive and they can be quick high? That perhaps is why most people start shopping around, even on the Web.

What to look for on-line:

• Do they recommend you see your doctor first? I may be old-fashioned, but I believe you should always recommend what would be in your patient’s best interest first.
• What is the level of technology offered? There are many levels of digital chips offered, and the least expensive usually are the one and two channel products. Also, beware that they can call an analog hearing aid digital if they use a computer to program it.
• Do they program your hearing aid to match your prescription? Would you order your eyeglasses over the web without sending your prescription? I hope not. That’s how it is with hearing aids. Getting just any hearing aid that amplifies sound is like purchasing the magnified readers at the drug store to help solve all your eyesight needs. Without your prescription in your hearing aids you are limiting the results you could be experiencing.
• The first thing you need to know is do they give you information about servicing and cleaning your hearing aid. Proper upkeep is key to ensuring you hear well for years to come? To me this is the most important issue for anyone purchasing a hearing aid. Even when purchasing in a local store, sadly, so many providers — though they say they do — don’t provide this service very well.

There are several types of hearing aids, with differing benefits and disadvantages. You need to discuss your requirements with a trained medical professional before you choose a hearing aid. Before purchasing one of these devices, be sure to have your hearing checked by the audiologist. There could be a medical issue underlying your hearing difficulties, including a middle ear infection, a tumor or even a simple buildup of ear wax.

The most popular model these days is the behind the ear (BTE) device. BTE’s are compact and easy to wear. In fact, they’re so small that most people don’t even notice them. Even people with severe hearing loss can use the BTEs. BTE offers binaural hearing aid technology, meaning that sound is received at ear level. Other alternatives include “in the ear” and “in the ear canal” styles. Each of these is best suited to certain degrees of hearing loss, and that’s why it’s so important to discuss your options with an audiologist.

It’s also important that you allow a reasonable amount of time to decide if a certain hearing aid is right for you. It takes at least 30 days for the ear to get used to the device, and you can use this time to decide if it is helpful as well as comfortable. Be aware that a hearing aid won’t entirely eliminate background noises and give you perfect hearing.

Many people these days are experiencing hearing problems, but they are reluctant to start using a hearing aid since they believe that it will make them look older. However, modern hearing aids are small, discreet, and hardly noticeable. And really, using one is so much better than constantly asking people to repeat themselves. A properly fitting hearing device can improve your social interactions to a huge extent, making you feel like you’re part of the crowd once again.