If you have started looking at hearing aids, or have talked to your audiologist about hearing aids, you may have questions about technology levels. These are often categorized as basic, mid-level, and premium or advanced. All levels of technology are expected to provide significant improvement to an individual’s hearing; the differences in technology include the features, performance in challenging environments, and an individual’s lifestyle needs. Understanding the differences can help you feel more confident when choosing which hearing aid is right for you.
Basic
Basic hearing aids are made to provide the essentials of better hearing. The primary goal of a basic hearing aid is to make soft sounds audible and loud sounds comfortable. They include basic features:
- Simple noise management- the hearing aid is able to separate speech versus background noise by a few decibels.
- Directional microphones- the hearing aid focuses in front of the listener to a greater degree than behind or beside the listener.
- Connectivity to phone or other devices/accessories for ease of listening and app control
The basic level of hearing aid is great for individuals who spend majority of their time in quieter environments. Quieter environments may include being home, one-on-one conversations, and listening to television. The basic hearing aid provides the essentials for improved hearing at a more affordable cost, without extra features which some individuals may not need.
Premium
Premium hearing aids have all the same qualities as the basic technology, but are designed with additional features for individuals who are more socially active and more often in challenging listening environments. Advanced features include:
- Stronger noise adaption for separating speech from background noise. This may include use of AI technology and multiple processors to assist an individual to have the most support in challenging environments such as restaurants.
- Improved speech clarity and natural sound quality. Premium hearing aids have more fine tuning options compared to basic allowing the audiologist to make smaller and more individualized adjustments for the most comfortable and natural sound.
- Automatic change based on environment. Premium hearing aids are able to “detect” the environment and optimize for best hearing automatically with less need for the user to make changes via hearing aid buttons or phone app.
Premium hearing aids are best for individuals who are active, enjoy social activities, and/or desire hearing aids that are most automatic with less effort or adjustment needed from the user.
Mid-Level
Mid-level hearing aids are the happy medium between basic and premium. They have all the same essentials as basic with some of the advancements of premium. Mid-level technology is great for individuals who are active and around challenging listening environments occasionally. Individuals may choose mid-level if they would like to have additional hearing support on occasion, and feel comfortable adjusting the devices if needed in challenging situations.
What is right for you?
Think about your lifestyle. If you are mostly in quiet situations the basic technology would likely provide the assistance you need. For those that are more active and in challenging listening situations, mid-level or premium may be worth the investment for improved ease of listening. Regardless of technology level selected, there is always great benefit to treating your hearing loss. Your audiologist will work with you to find the best solution while keeping your lifestyle, budget, and hearing/communication goals in mind.
