Age-related hearing loss is something that most people face beyond the age of 65. It is estimated that a third of people between 65 and 75 have some form of gradual hearing loss. Beyond the age of 75, more than half of people have some form of age-related hearing loss.
For most people, hearing loss comes on slowly, but in others the condition can present itself rather quickly, sometimes developing in a matter of months. Hearing loss can be frustrating. It can also make life difficult and confusing. If you or a loved one is suffering hearing loss, there are two key steps that you will need to take.
- The first is visiting an audiologist for a hearing test and diagnosis.
- Next comes the process of comparing the best hearing aids and buying one that suits your needs.
In the following sections, we will explore some of the best devices with hearing aid reviews 2020. From visiting an audiologist to mail order hearing aids, here’s everything that you need to know to restore functional hearing.
Visiting an Audiologist – The First Step Before Comparing the Best Online Hearing Aids Review
In the medical industry, an audiologist is a specialist that is trained and qualified to diagnose hearing loss and recommend treatments. Audiologists are licensed and usually have a doctorate degree in Audiology. Many are referred to simply as hearing doctors. Functionally, the two terms mean exactly the same thing.
With an aging population, the number of audiologists around the United States and in other developed nations is increasing. They serve the public in a number of ways:
- They identify problems that lead to balance disorders and hearing loss.
- They recommend treatments that can range from surgery to hearing aids and other devices.
- They supervise and consult with surgeons when necessary.
- They create programs to aid in hearing management, especially when a condition is likely to worsen over time.
Knowing whether it’s worth visiting an audiologist is simple. If you or somebody close to you is suffering from hearing loss (especially an elderly person), then it’s time to schedule an appointment.
For age-related hearing loss, a hearing aid is the most likely recommendation. A hearing aid overcomes lost function by amplifying external sounds. There are some key steps to the process:
- A microphone on the exterior of the device takes sounds from the environment and sends an electronic signal to an amplifier.
- The amplifier increases the volume of the sound and sends it to the receiver, which rests on the inside of the device (facing the ear canal).
- A small speaker takes the electrical signal and converts it back into a sound that is detected by the ear and interpreted by the brain.
You can think of a hearing aid as a microphone and speaker but on a very small scale. Environmental sounds can become clear again, even for people with significant age-related hearing loss.
Hearing aids need to be carefully selected and fitted so that sound coming from the internal speaker doesn’t leak back to the microphone. This can create a feedback loop with buzzing and whistling sounds that are distracting and distressing.
Hearing is critically important for the elderly to maintain independence. This is why it’s so important to learn how to buy a hearing aid online.
Why Buy Online?
There was a time when these helpful devices were sold over the counter or through mail order hearing aids catalogs. Today, the internet takes the place of traditional mail orders. You can compare and research all of the best hearing aids from the convenience of your home. If you are buying for yourself or helping out a parent, grandparent, or loved one, you’ll find online ordering to be simple and stress-free.
You’ll enjoy benefits like:
- Potential for discounts when compared to buying in-store.
- Access to a wide variety of the best hearing aids brands.
- Convenient payment options with delivery to your door.
- Access to consumer and professional reviews so that you can make an informed decision.
Whether you’re looking for cheap hearing aids online or want high-end quality, there are options for every price level. Continue reading our guide to learn about specific features you should look for, and explore our online hearing aids reviews 2020 for some highly rated suggestions to get you started.
What to Look for in Online Hearing Aids Reviews
When looking at reviews and individual hearing aid models, there are a few things to keep in mind. The following features and notes will ensure that you get the right hearing aid for your needs, at a price that you can afford.
- Directionality – This is one of the most important features of a hearing aid because it will impact how easy it is to understand speech or sounds from a nearby television or radio, etc. Directionality is configurable in some hearing aids, with the ability to ‘hear’ sound from the front, sides, rear, or a combination of all.
- Can it Hear a Phone? – Whether it’s a smartphone or a traditional landline, the elderly need easy access to their communications devices. A hearing aid needs to be able to easily detect sounds coming from a phone earpiece or speaker. If it can’t, the user will have difficulty understanding conversations. Some devices use adaptors or Bluetooth technology to interface with smartphones and landlines.
- Style Matters – Not everyone will be overly concerned with the look of a hearing aid, while others may feel self-conscious when wearing one. Ultimately, a hearing aid is a tool that serves a practical purpose, but there’s a bonus if there are some style points thrown in. Hearing aids are often color-matched to skin tone so that they look inconspicuous in the ear.
- Noise Reduction – Hearing aids need to do more than just handle sound. They should also be able to limit outside noise. Modern hearing aids use advanced electronics to filter out background noise in busy environments. This makes it easier for the wearer to focus on voices.
- Feedback Rejection – We mentioned the problem of feedback when a microphone in a hearing aid picks up the sound from the speaker, creating a loop of high pitched noise. Modern devices have feedback rejection technology, so look for this feature when you are comparing the best hearing aids online.
- Phone Connectivity – Although not absolutely necessary, some hearing aids have phone connectivity to make it easier to communicate with essential services, friends and family over long distances. Some devices even connect using Bluetooth to provide audio from televisions and stereo systems. We consider these features to be valuable add ons, but they are not essential. You will pay more for advanced connectivity but if it’s something on your wishlist, feel free to explore the options out there.
Costco Hearing Aid Reviews
Many of the best mail order online hearing aids are also available over the counter at major retailers. Costco is one of those retailers, offering a range of different hearing aids that suit the needs of different users. Below we will take a look at some of the best hearing aids that you can order online or buy in-store at retailers.
Rexton Costco Hearing Aid Reviews
If you spend any time looking at online hearing aids reviews 2020, Rexton will be a brand that comes up often. The company makes excellent devices with Bluetooth compatibility and options for direct audio streaming.
Things that you will love about Rexton include:
- Most devices are rechargeable to offer the best convenience, especially when compared to older models that use single-cell batteries.
- Rexton uses comfortable silicone tips to prevent feedback and allow for the best possible clarity.
- Rexton devices can be connected to televisions and more using optional wireless streaming accessories.
- There are smartphone apps to aid in operating a Rexton hearing aid.
While Rexton devices aren’t considered to be amongst the cheap hearing aids online, the higher price is worth it if you want to make a long term investment in hearing aids that are incredibly versatile.
Philips Hearing Aids
Philips is another top brand in the hearing aid market. This company is well established in both consumer electronics and medical devices, so you’ll have confidence in your purchase if you choose to go with this brand.
Philips models are considered to be amongst the best hearing aids. You’ll find intelligent features like connection to smartphones and other home devices, and even a feature to track the location of your hearing aids from your phone if you have misplaced them.
Features that we like best in Philips Costco hearing aid reviews include:
- Excellent smartphone app functionality.
- Ability to connect to the Internet of Things (IoT) to interface with other smart devices.
- A range of simple accessories for streaming audio from televisions and other devices.
- Proprietary technology that improves speech and reduces feedback, no matter the range or type of hearing loss that the user is experiencing.
Like Rexton, Philips hearing aids are competitively priced in the mid to upper range of the market. As a long term investment, we can easily recommend the brand.
Widex Hearing Aids
The third brand we will consider is Widex. This is a brand that is not carried by Costco but is widely available online. Widex has been an innovator in the market, creating what is considered to be the first smart hearing aid. Today, many companies, including Philips and Rexton, base some of their innovations on the features that Widex has developed.
Widex aims to create a natural-sounding experience so that people can easily transition to wearing a hearing aid. If you or someone close to you has suffered from age-related hearing loss, Widex will provide an experience that will feel as if your condition never developed.
The best features of this brand include:
- Options for both smart and standard cheap hearing aids online.
- Discrete hearing aids can be used by people who work in fields where a large hearing aid would be distracting.
- Slightly larger behind the ear Widex hearing aids include smart features to connect to phones and other devices.
- Wireless streaming from televisions etc. is made easy with optional accessories.
- Widex hearing aids are available with completely-in-canal designs to offer effective hearing support in people with advanced hearing loss.
In addition to great features and the quality that the brand is known for, Widex also offers tinnitus solutions. Tinnitus is a type of hearing damage characterized by constant ringing in the ears. It can be painful and distracting and can progress with age. Tinnitus can’t be cured, but Widex offers therapeutic options that reduce stress caused by this condition.
Although not strictly related to normal hearing loss, we think it’s important to commend Widex for their commitment to the wider hearing-restoration and tinnitus-therapy fields.
Begin Your Search for the Best hearing Aid that Suits Your Unique Needs
We’ve covered three brands in our online hearing aids review, but there’s more out there to be considered. You’ve learned why hearing aids are important, what you should look for in a quality device, and explored options from Costco hearing aid reviews to Widex hearing aids.
One thing to understand is that there’s no ‘perfect’ hearing aid for every person. Each ear is unique, and so is the type of hearing loss that occurs. Whether you’re looking for a device for yourself or for a loved one who has age-related hearing loss, it’s important that you start by visiting an audiologist.With a diagnosis, you will better understand the type of loss, and this will give you more context when it comes to choosing an efficient device. Use this guide and online hearing aids reviews to make a smart decision that improves quality of life and hearing for someone you love.