Hearing impairment is the partial or complete inability to hear and impacts scores of people across the world. Hearing loss can result from a number of factors like age, infection or an injury to the ear. It affects all aspects of life and can even have a psychological impact if left untreated. Hearing impairment damages the hair cells in the inner ear and there is no way to bring them back. However, the use of hearing aids can significantly improve the ability of an individual to hear.
A hearing aid is a simple device that amplifies a sound making them louder and clearer to understand. They consist of a microphone to pick up the sound, an amplifier to adjust the sound based on the needs of the individual and a receiver to transmit the sound to the ear canal. There are invisible hearing aids that can be fitted discreetly in the ear canal, in-ear hearing aids, behind the ear hearing aids and more. Indeed, with the wide options available, choosing the brand and type of hearing aid can be overwhelming.
Are you wondering which hearing aid brands are the best?
In reality, the best hearing aids can never be the same for everyone. The hearing aid that will suit you depends on a number of factors like the severity of your hearing loss, your needs and lifestyle. However, based on factors like reliability, technology and durability, the following hearing aid brands are considered the favourites.
- Oticon
- Widex
- Starkey
- Phonak
- ReSound
Oticon:
Founded by Hans Demant in 1904, Oticon’s range of hearing devices are created to enhance your hearing potential and to enable you to hear better with less effort. The philosophy of the brand is “People First” with hearing instruments that can be adjusted based on your personal preferences.
The brand is also renowned for developing the world’s first digital hearing instrument. The BrainHearing technology of the brand emphasizes on personalizing the fitting to offer a natural listening experience to the wearer. The hearing aids are available in different shapes and sizes and equipped with innovative features to offer hassle-free connectivity to modern devices. Oticon is credited for the industry’s first internet-connected and dual-wireless hearing aid.
Widex:
Widex is a family-owned company founded in 1956 in Denmark. The brand is renowned internationally for its high-end hearing aids. With manufacturing units located in Denmark and Estonia, the hearing devices developed by the brand can cater to the needs of individuals with different types of hearing impairment. The brand’s product in-the-ear Senso digital hearing aid was accorded as the top 25 innovative technology developed the previous quarter of the century by CNN. Widex is also known for the first completely digital in-the-ear hearing device and its computer modelling and laser technology custom earpieces.
Starkey:
The leader in manufacturing advanced hearing solutions, Starkey was founded by William F. Austin in 1967. Credited with developing the industry’s first in-canal hearing aid, Starkey products can make a real difference. The brand also came up with the first custom digital invisible hearing device. What sets the brand apart is its commitment to philanthropy. Each time a Starkey hearing aid is purchased, a part of the proceed goes to the Starkey Hearing Foundation. The brand also developed the Halo, a hearing aid made for iPhone.
Phonak:
With over 60 years of experience, Phonak is known for offering effective hearing solutions that enable people to communicate with confidence and hear effortlessly. The brand was started in Zurich in 1947 and offers hearing devices in various models, technology choices and styles. Though the brand maintains its original name, the company is currently owned by the Sonova Holding AG company. Phonak offers innovative hearing aids for kids like the in-classroom radio FM technology and Roger Pen.
ReSound:
Founded in 1943 by Dr Rodney Perkins, the company is headquartered in Denmark and is owned by the GN ReSound Group. The brand is known for offering hearing aids equipped with the latest technology and also for developing a sound processing system with wide dynamic range compression (WDRC). The company is also credited with developing the first open-fit hearing aid. The company also came up with its made for iPhone hearing device.
Choosing a Hearing Aid:
Selecting the right hearing aid is an important decision. There are wide options to choose from and each hearing aid is designed with differing levels of suitability for differing people. This implies that the hearing aid that you choose, must best suit your individual preference and needs.
Be it the size, style, aesthetics or features, the choices are amazing. With the advancement in technology, the hearing aids available are discreet and smaller than ever. There are hearing aids that can be fine-tuned to meet the needs of your hearing loss. The program settings allow you listen effortlessly even when there is background noise. Exploring the different types of hearing aids and their features can help you narrow down your search. Moreover, to make the most of a hearing aid, it is essential to get it professionally fitted and programmed.
If you are still unsure and need assistance in selecting the right hearing aid, the qualified hearing professionals at Active Audiology are here to help you. As an independent clinic, we believe if offering unbiased solutions tailored to suit the individual needs of our clients. We have the widest range of options available and can suggest hearing aids that best address your hearing concern, suit your lifestyle and are specifically programmed to your needs. If you wish to know more about our hearing aids, feel free to reach out to our team. You can call us on 1300 364 007. We will be happy to assist you.
