Factors to Consider before Buying a Hearing Aid

April 21, 2022

Hearing loss can happen to people of every generation! Consider the last question; when was the last time you attended a hearing test? If it was anytime in the last 3 months or so, a consultation is recommended to determine your hearing needs.

Hearing loss is not limited to the elderly. In fact, hearing loss can happen at any age and can affect how a person communicates or performs everyday tasks such as driving a car.

Just as important are questions such as:

What if the hearing aid fails?
How long will it take for the hearing aid to be replaced?
How long will the insurance on the hearing aid last?
How should the hearing aid be disposed of after several years of use?

There are several factors to consider before buying a hearing aid for the first time or if you’re considering an upgrade.

TYPES OF HEARING AIDS

Hearing aids help people who are hard of hearing hear better and make the way certain sounds are felt different from those who can hear naturally.

Hearing impairment is a condition that affects one or both ears. This condition can have various causes and can affect any individual at any age. People suffering from hearing impairment or deafness may find the sounds in their world very difficult to understand.

There are different types of hearing aids that are used to assist people with hearing loss.

In-the-canal (ITC) hearing aids

In-the-canal hearing aids are a new type of hearing aid that is gradually taking over from the older type of hearing aids, the behind-the-ear or aural-canal model. Instead of being worn outside the ear canal, ITC hearing aids are inserted directly into the ear canal.

This allows for better hearing and also ensures that the hearing aid is much less visible to others. In-the-canal hearing aids are recommended by hearing centres in Singapore for those who are looking for the kind of hearing solution.

Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids

Contemporary hearing aids use behind-the-ear technology and they often look quite modern and discreet in terms of their appearance.

They now come with advanced sound detection technology that makes it easier to hear in noisy and crowded settings. New and modern BTE hearing aids, even as small as a quarter, must account for both audio amplitude and frequency.

Completely-in-the-canal (CIC) hearing aids

With these hearing aids, the sound is transmitted directly to the recipient’s cochlea, and they are amplified across the entire spectrum. For the complete set of hearing aids to perform its task, it must be inserted into a vacant part of the user’s ear canal.

Receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aids

Receiver-in-canal (RIC) is the most popular type of hearing aid. RIC hearing aids sit behind the ear and deliver sound directly into the ear.

BENEFITS OF BUYING HEARING AIDS

Dozens of product reviews and comparisons are available online to help people find a modern hearing aid that meets their specific needs.

If a hard-of-hearing person has been looking for a way to navigate the world around them more effectively, then they should consider turning to a hearing device like a hearing aid. Hearing aids are designed to help people hear better by offering them an improved ability to detect and distinguish sounds.

Here are some benefits of buying hearing aids:

Improve overall hearing quality
Hold conversations longer
Relieve hearing strains overtime
Prevent the risk of dementia
Increase job performance

PRICES OF HEARING AIDS

Hearing loss affects millions around the world, around 500,000 in Singapore. And if you’re one of them, finding the right hearing aid to suit your needs can be challenging. Hearing aid prices start at about $650 and can go up to $7000 depending on features and required configuration.

To make the purchase worth it though, be sure to consult with a hearing specialist first and get a comprehensive hearing test. Doing so gives you knowledge on the extent of your hearing loss and be recommended with the right hearing aid for your hearing situation.

About The Listening Lab

Listening Lab is a home-grown company whose mission is to help our clients restore their hearing to enjoy the life that they desire. Experiencing hearing loss can be detrimental to one’s quality of life. Hence we commit to providing high-quality hearing solutions.

Our hearing solutions include hearing tests and treatment and prescribing hearing aids. Clients may come to get their hearing checked, and we will assess whether hearing aids are required.

If hearing aids are required, clients can choose from a variety of the best hearing aid brands we provide. Each of the products offers unique features that complement daily use and perform well in helping our clients enjoy the life that they desire.

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What Do Our Customers Say?

Person in charge nice and helpful with warm smiling face. Should you have hearing problem, can seek for her advise.

Catherine Tang Yap

Your service is marvellous! Patient and friendly. Mr Ching has been a customer of The Listening Lab since 2018. We have been attending to him for his follow up reviews and we are glad to see his progress!

Mr Ching

My husband purchased a Siemens Pure 7PX in 2016. We wish to appreciate Listening Lab for their ongoing attention and professional help they have been providing to us.

Mr & Mrs Sriram

My mum has hearing loss for many years. Consultant of Listening Lab helped her fitted with Resound hearing aid. His patience and professionalism was greatly appreciated as the hearing aid enable her to hear and communicate with the people around her especially her grand children. We are happy with the services rendered by consultant. Keep up the good work!!

Madam Low

The Voice of two Generations in Singapore radio, Mr Brian Richmond, has chosen The Listening Lab to be his audiology and hearing services provider. We could not be prouder!

Brian is the definitive household name in English Radio since the early years of Singapore's founding, starting with Rediffusion followed by Radio One and now with Gold 90.5FM as well as Vintage Radio Singapore. His honeyed voice and selection of music filling our ears as we lived the bustle of our daily lives.

Soccer fans from the Malaysia Cup era of soccer will never forget his heart-pounding commentary from "live" matches, as we experienced the ups and downs of the Singapore Lions in the 1970s to 90s.

Our Executive Director Kelvin Lee is proudly beaming ear-to-ear in this photo with Brian. But you wont be able to see it through the masks!

Brian Richmond

I started experiencing loss of hearing sometimes in 2010 (41 years old) owing to some medical issue. I was having difficulties hearing conservation especially in meeting. Thus, giving me the fear in attending meeting.

Initially I started with Phonak hearing aid. It helps amplified the sound and I could hear better then. Somehow, my hearing loss deteriorated further that in late 2012 (43 years old), there was profound loss of hearing on my right ear. Even digital hearing aid could not help. On my left ear there is still about 50% to 60% hearing with hearing aid. I was lost at this point of time. I was considering learning sign language. I went to see my ENT specialist and my audiologist Mr. Bala advised me to go for an CI as an alternative to my hearing loss.

I also thank God for Engineer and Scientist, giving them the knowledge to create such a complex and sophisticate device to help those with hearing loss like me. It will be all perfect if the cost is affordable too.

Jonathan Po

I took my mum to Listening Lab at Simei to get her hearing aid fixed, during our first visit, she patiently explained the whole procedure to my mum and also explain to my mum why she really in need to fix the hearing aid. She is very knowledgeable, and friendly, and we are encouraged to ask questions. she is also very patient with old people which is the most importance. Also her after service is superb so I highly recommend.

Mdm Goh

My mum, Madam Kek (73 year old) had the Cochlear implant (CI) done on her left side in 10th September 2019. Thereafter, thanks to the subsequent auditory verbal therapy, evaluation from SGH ENT team, as well as, the support from AB's and Listening Lab staffs; Madam Kek was able to hear, comprehend sound and music from her Cochlear implant, Naida CI Q90, and hearing aid (HA), Naida Link UP, for her right side before end year. We are happy that both the CI and HA have improved mum qualify of life. Now Madam Kek is looking forward to work again to pass her time as she can hear and better communicate with others.

Madam Kek

Titus was implanted when he was 18 months old. He is a happy, talkative 6.5 years old now. AB has been with him for 5 wonderful hearing years and we are looking forward to a bright future that lies ahead for him. AB’s Naída CI sound processors are reliable and the technology is constantly evolving and upgrading. When Titus was introduced to Naida Link CROS, his life was enriched. The wireless network established between his Naida CI sound processor and a Naida Link CROS transmitter allows him to hear from both ears. This changes Titus’s life and the way we interact with him. We are also very pleased with the prompt response and service provided to us. The staff in AB genuinely cares! We want to thank AB for making Titus’s hearing journey an enjoyable and a relatively stress free one!

Titus Pang

I have been living with progressive hearing loss for more than three decades. Socially, I find myself fearful of communicating with people and at home, watching 'soundless' television programs is a norm.

An unforgettable experience. Trying on a pair of Resound GN hearing aid, I was energized and revitalized and overwhelmed with emotional tears of joy. The Resound GN is truly remarkable and uniquely equipped with three-friendly-user environmental modes that provide hearing comfort wherever we are.

In particular, I like to extend my utmost gratitude to Hearing Consultant. With her profound compassion and wisdom in guiding me, I am confident that I can forge a formidable partnership with the Listening Lab; So that I can rebuild a new chapter of a happy and value-creative life and simultaneously, leaving behind the painful memories of the past three decades.

Mr Tan