4 Things to Do Before Purchasing a Hearing Aid

If you're going to get the best bang for your buck, it pays to exercise a bit of caution before buying a hearing aid. Anyone can walk into their nearest licensed center and buy the first thing the salesperson recommends, but that doesn't mean you're going to get something you actually like. Even if you do, you might spend too much. And when dealing with a product like this, which can simultaneously be expensive and is seldom covered by insurance, you don't want to spend more than you have to. That's not to say you should go shopping with the idea of being cheap, either, though. Here are four things you should do before making a purchase.

See an Audiologist

First things first: don't try to diagnose your own auditory loss. Though it may be abundantly clear that you have lost the ability to hear everything clearly, you don't know the extent of the loss, how quickly it is continuing to deteriorate, or why. You need to find these things out before you go shopping for a hearing aid. For all you know, you have a problem that can be addressed through other means, such as earwax buildup.

Trial Period

Once you've determined that you need a hearing aid and you're ready to buy, inquire about a trial period, during which you can return the device for your money back. This may or may not be possible, depending on where you buy from and what model you decide to get, but it's worth asking about just in case. Keep in mind, however, that these devices take some getting used to. Don't bring it back unsatisfied because you're discouraged by the learning curve. It will come in time.

Warranty

Don't buy a hearing aid without making sure that it comes with a good warranty. Read the terms of the warranty and make sure you don't have to jump through hoops to get your device repaired or replaced in the event that it breaks. It is important to make sure you're covered by a good guarantee on any electronics, and this is no exception to the rule. If you can get repairs and replacements from your local dealer (rather than having to deal with the manufacturer in a long distance scenario), so much the better.

Do Your Research

Don't let the side of a box or an eager salesman tell you what you need in a hearing aid. Do your own research at home and go shopping as an informed consumer. You'll be much more likely to make a purchase you can live with.