The first step in getting a hearing aid is to visit an ear care professional to get a full hearing test. The professional will measure several different facets of your hearing, including how well you can hear different tones or frequencies, and how well you can discern speech with various levels of background noise. You should discuss with your doctor or audiologist whether a hearing aid is the best solution for you, or whether it is possible to correct your hearing loss through surgery. Next you’ll want to investigate the different styles of hearing aids, and select the one that is right for you, your hearing loss, and your lifestyle. Most hearing aid companies offer a trial period, so don’t hesitate to try more than one aid. You will want to check out what features are available with the different hearing aids. Two features which are especially useful are telecoil and direct audio input. These allow you to use assistive listening devices which can be purchased for your home and are available at some public locations.
An important consideration is the full cost of the hearing aid, including batteries and repairs. Make sure you ask what the warranty covers, as well as what is the length of the warranty. A person obtaining a hearing aid for the first time will need to take the time to become familiar with their hearing aid. It may be uncomfortable to start, or your voice may sound funny to yourself. Know how to adjust your hearing aid properly, and be sure to return to your audiologist or hearing aid dispenser for a proper adjustment if it is not comfortable.