The Best Hearing Aids for Severe Hearing Loss
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with severe hearing loss, finding the right hearing aids can seem like an overwhelming task. I’m Dr. Amy, a Doctor of Audiology and expert on treatment for hearing loss. There are many different types of hearing aids available and each type is designed to meet different needs. To ensure you choose the best hearing aid for your situation, it’s important to understand what your options are and how they will affect your listening experience. In this article, I’ll give you my expert opinion about several of the best hearing aids for severe hearing loss.
Types of Hearing Aids for Severe Hearing Loss
When it comes to choosing a hearing aid for severe hearing loss, there are two primary hearing aid styles to consider: behind-the-ear (BTE) and in-the-ear (ITE) styles. In this picture, you’ll notice ITE hearing aids to the left of the picture and a BTE hearing aid on the right side.
BTE devices and ITE models can both work for severe to profound hearing loss and offer more powerful hearing aid features than RIC or other smaller custom devices. ITE models fit in the concha of the ear, while BTE devices are placed behind the ear with a piece that goes in the ear canal.
BTE – Pros & Cons
- Most common type of hearing aid for severe hearing loss
- Rechargeable or disposable battery options
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Smartphone app control (if desired)
- Can be challenging for poor dexterity
- Difficult to manage for petite ears or with glasses
Should I get a BTE or ITE hearing aid?
A BTE hearing aid is the most common choice for severe hearing impairment. These hearing aids are now available in rechargeable hearing aid options, and the battery life is fantastic. For example, when fully charged, Signia’s Motion Charge and Go can hold an impressive 61 hours of charge.
ITE – Pros & Cons
- Fitting range accommodates severe to profound
- Easier to manage for petite ears or with glasses
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Custom made to fit your ear
- Not all manufacturers offer rechargeable ITEs
- Not always the latest technology
Most of my patients take both of their hearing aids out each night. However, some patients with severe hearing impairment prefer to wear one hearing aid at night, for example for personal safety or to hear a crying infant at night. The battery life of this hearing aid makes that possible. Other hearing aids with great rechargeability for BTEs include Phonak and GN Resound.
What hearing aids are the best hearing aids for severe hearing loss?
There are six top hearing aid manufacturers, and all of them have great options for hearing aids for severe hearing impairment. However, Phonak hearing aids, Oticon hearing aids, and GN Resound hearing aids are my top picks. Personally, I would recommend any of these for my patients. It depends on their unique needs as to which is most suitable. For example, do you have an Android phone and want to stream phone calls or music? Phonak is your best option.
Are you looking for a rechargeable hearing aids with an easy to use app? GN Resound is your best option.
What type of hearing aids work for profound hearing loss?
Patients with profound hearing loss typically wear BTE super power hearing aids. No hearing aid can restore normal hearing. However, expectations for profound hearing loss will be different, as environmental awareness is typically the best outcome.
Hearing aids cannot deliver a clear speech signal for someone with profound hearing loss. You may hear speech, but it will be crucial to use good communication strategies to understand conversation. With that in mind, the best hearing aids for severe hearing loss will usually also work for profound hearing loss.
Other Considerations When Purchasing Hearing Aids
In addition to considering style and power levels when selecting a device, other factors should be taken into account as well. For example, if you have difficulty understanding speech in crowded or noisy environments, look for noise management features that can help reduce background noise so that you can focus on conversations more easily.
As I mentioned, some devices offer longer battery lives than others. If this is a priority for you, consider this when you’re exploring hearing aid models. Additionally, take into account how much time it takes for sound processing—some devices process sounds faster than others which allows them to respond more quickly when there are sudden changes in sound level or environment type.
Assistive listening devices
These are additional devices that can help you hear better in specific situations. If you need further noise reduction, a remote microphone can help reduce listening effort and increase speech understanding. Background noise can be very frustrating. However, these devices can make a big difference. Do you struggle with understanding your favorite TV shows? Try a TV streamer.
Other Useful Features
Once you establish care with an audiologist or hearing care specialist, remote adjustments are possible with remote care. Some hearing aid manufacturers will work with cochlear implants as well. For example, GN Resound works with Cochlear Americas cochlear implants, and Phonak will work with Advanced Bionics cochlear implants.
Hearing Aids vs Cochlear implants
Do you suffer from tinnitus? These hearing aids for severe hearing impairment also have programs for tinnitus management. Many patients find that when they start wearing hearing aids, their tinnitus will lessen as a side effect. However, if you find your tinnitus particularly bothersome, you may like using a tinnitus masking program.
Read more about tinnitus here.
Conclusion:
Choosing the right hearing aid is an important decision that can have a huge impact on your day-to-day life if you suffer from severe hearing loss. By taking all of these factors into consideration—style, power level, noise management features, battery life, ease of use and sound processing speed—you will be able to find a device that meets your individual needs and provides exceptional sound quality even in challenging listening situations. With the right choice of device, you can enjoy improved communication with family and friends as well as increased confidence when engaging with other people in group settings or noisy environments.
