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What hearing aids are easiest to use for an elderly person?

Alicia D.D. Spoor, AuD

Doctor of Audiology

21 October 2016 - 24.9K Views

Purchasing hearing aids for a person of any age or lifestyle requires a significant amount of consideration.  The "best" or "easist" or "most durable" hearing aid depends on the person's hearing acuity, communication needs, lifestyle, dexterity, vision, cognition, and preferences.  Many patients, of all ages, like the option of rechargeable batteries for ease and environmental reasons.  ZPowers offers retrofit options, along with Phonak and Siemens/Sivantos/Signia hearing aid manufacturers.  Patients also like to choose their level of control over the hearing aid devices; some can be completely automatic, some can be automatic with a manual override option, and some can be a manual option only.  These automatic and manual options apply to adjusting the volume and/or listening programs for different environments.  Additionally, accessories, like a remote control, can be easier to use for sole fact that they are larger and the person can see the buttons and controls (as opposed to reaching up to find something on the hearing aid itself).  There are likely more considerations for each person, as everyone is unique.  The best way to determine the "easiest" and best hearing aid for you is to schedule a communication needs assessment (and hearing evaluation, if it hasn't already been completed) with a Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.).  

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Audiologist in West Hampstead

21 October 2016 - 24.9K Views

Phonak Audeo Belong the rechargeable version would eliminate the need to change batteries. If dexterity prevents the use of domes custom tips for some patients can be easier to insert. Another alternative could be a Widex Unique ITE aid. No physical controls & you can't accidentally lodge the batteries inside! Also the aid can be paired with a very simple remote the RC-Dex for adjusting the type of sound or volume level. I hope this helps! Matthew.
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Keith Lam

Inventor, MBA-TM, BSET

21 October 2016 - 24.9K Views

It all depends on a lot of factors such as the dexterity, the vision, the mental states of the person and the degree of hearing loss.  Behind the ears, or BTEs, are generally better hearing instruments due to the spacing of the mics, the distance between the mis and the loudspeakers (i.e. receivers), and also the bigger bodies that allow the manufacturers to put more features into it.  The elderly should also consider the size of the batteries or better ,rechargeable aids, so that they do not have to manipulate  fairly small batteries or not at all.  If they have helps then the matter is really reduced to the hearing loss results and the appropriate type of hearing devices.

Hope this help!

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Rena Jacobson

Professional Member

21 October 2016 - 24.9K Views

Fitting a hearing aid is (and should be) specific for the individual. No two people have the same loss or lifestyle or preferences. An audiologist will help you choose hearing aids which meet your needs, based on your degree of hearing loss, your lifestyle and your budget. During your initial appointment, an audiologist will have sample hearing aids that you can handle in the office so you can see which style is easiest to manage. An audiologist will also provide attentive follow-up care so that you are fully informed about how your hearing aids work and you will always have the office as a resource if you have questions.

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Robert Jester

Hearing Healthcare Provider

21 October 2016 - 24.9K Views

If you are a candidate the Lyric    It is inserted by a hearing health care professional   called extended wear 

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Ellen Nathan

Hearing Healthcare Provider

21 October 2016 - 24.9K Views

The type of hearing aid depends on dexterity of fingers, and type of hearing loss.  From my experience, custom aids are usually easiest for patients to use.  With custom aids, one does not have to change habits such as phone receiver to ear (you have to put the phone receiver higher above the ear for BTE aids) and other benefits are glasses won't be affected with custom aids.  Since I both wear hearing aids and dispense them, I know that some BTE (behind the ear) hearing aids can make the space behind your ears troublesome.  

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Charles Darby PhD, MA, BC-HIS, BC-HIS

Hearing Healthcare Provider

21 October 2016 - 24.9K Views

Each and every person is different when assessing the perfect hearing aid fitting.  In general, when working with elderly patients, I've found that dexterity issues are a common concern and one that must be addressed.  The ability to use the aids and maintain them is a very real issue with many patients.  Difficulty with battery changes can be addressed with rechargeable units.  Placement in the ear issues can be solved with custom molds. The inability to keep up with aids and to avoid loss can be dealt with by tethering the aids together.  Find a provider that can individualize treatment and custom design a hearing system that meets the issues at hand. 

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Professional Member

Professional Member

08 November 2016 - 24.8K Views

Each patient is different. It really depends on the patient's loss and also patient's concerns regarding hearing aids. Each patient has specific needs and wants which should be discussed in the consultation before deciding on a hearing aid that best fits the patient.

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Raji Parangad

Hearing Healthcare Provider

21 October 2016 - 24.9K Views

It depends of the dexterity and eye sight along with of couse the degree of hearing loss. Your Audiologist usually will have demonstration models which you could try on. Try and avoid aids that are very small and fidly to handle. Usually custom devices ( aids that just sit in the ear ) are a  good option. But is very individulistic. Hope this helps. 

Raji Parangad

'My Audiologist'

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