Buying a Hearing Aid: 3 Important Steps

It's easy to get overwhelmed when shopping for a hearing aid. While salespeople and doctors will try to make your shopping experience as painless as possible, it's always a challenge to jump headfirst into an area you've probably thought little about before this day. One of the best things you can do to prepare is try to familiarize yourself with some basic concepts before you head out. If you can find a good message board community online, you'll probably be able to get a lot of information from people just like you (except with a bit more experience). Failing that, here are three important steps to take before you lay down your money.

Find a Good Store

You can't walk in to your local CVS and pick up a hearing aid. You'll have to buy it from a licensed dealer. But just because a store is licensed by the state to dispense medical equipment doesn't mean they are actually any good. And it pays in spades to find a store with a good reputation for customer service. When you buy your second or third assistive listening device, you may feel confident and knowledgeable enough to buy it online from the cheapest source. For your first device, however, it's highly recommended that you find an in-person store where you can talk to the salespeople and technicians.

Features

Don't be overwhelmed by the amount of features out there for the newest hearing aid models. Things have progressed quite far in the last decade or two and they keep getting better every day. Having said that, some of the more advanced features may be somewhat superfluous, especially for someone who is just getting started. Your primary focus in this first year will be learning to get used to wearing the device. And this takes some time. If you're trying to get used to your device and simultaneously trying to get your head around a hundred different features, it could be frustrating. Simple isn't a bad way to start.

Get a Good Warranty

Don't even think about buying a hearing aid without making sure it is accompanied by a good, clear warranty. These devices should be sturdy enough to last you a long time, but there's no telling what could go wrong. You don't want to be stuck paying twice for something just because you didn't get a warranty. If possible, try to get one that will cover local repairs and replacements, as you don't want to be without your device for weeks while communicating back and forth with a manufacturer across the country.