It is always a crisis when you want to search for a hearing aid and you don't know where to start. You can start your quest by knowing who the major brands are in the hearing aid business. This guide will give you reviews of the top manufacturers of hearing aids in the market today like the Siemans hearing aids, Starkey hearing aids, Phonak hearing aids, and Beltone hearing aids.
Hearing aids come in analog or digital models. Analog hearing aids have been around for quite some time. These are cheaper than digital hearing aids but do not provide the same sound quality and features that digital hearing aids do. The sound quality produced by digital hearing aids is clearer than analog models and can be corrected accurately by using a computer. Digital hearing aids prices have dropped, therefore, a lot of people can afford them.
If you are not sure which one is perfect for you, a hearing aid consultant is available to help you. The sound quality gets clearer as the hearing aid is fitted closer to the eardrum.
Four kinds of hearing aids are shown below.
Behind the Ear (BTE)
This kind of hearing aid is fitted over the ear and sits comfortably behind it. This is the least expensive offered in the market.
In the Ear (ITE)
This type of hearing aid fills up the outer ear.
In the Ear Canal (ITC)
This kind fits slightly lower into the ear and is not very visible.
Completely In the Ear (CIC)
This fits down into the ear canal, needs the most fitting and is the least noticeable to others.
Quality and excellence is what makes these four companies the top makers of hearing aids. Not only do they offer outstanding quality, giving excellent customer service is also their primary goal to achieve the best customer satisfaction and in developing better hearing aids.
Siemens Hearing Aids
When people talk about hearing aids, Siemens is the main topic. Providing unmatched quality for over 125 years, Siemens have been the biggest hearing aids maker in the US. Each of the hearing aids made by Siemens is designed to meet any hearing need and lifestyle. There is a two-year warranty for each of the hearing aids that Siemens produces. Even though their prices are relatively high, Seimens hearing aids have more channels and offers more features than other cheaper leading names. Phoenix and Cielo models are Siemens' most inexpensive line of hearing aids while the Artis e2e model is their top-of-the-line hearing aid with wireless ear-to-ear capability.
Beltone Hearing Aids
Another leading hearing aid brand is Beltone. With over 1,300 locations in the United States, their reputation for quality is amazing. They offer an aftercare program called Belcare to assist you with your ongoing needs. The specialists at Beltone will help you complete a lifestyle evaluation called the Personalized Hearing Health Assessment (PHHA) to figure out which type of Beltone hearing aid is best for you. Beltone hearing aids are available in different groups like basic, quality, advantage, and premier styles. The products of each of these groups are customized to your needs. The Edge model is reasonably priced and has 3 channels. The Mira is a mid-range model with 6 channels. The top-of-the-line Oria has 12 channels and offers many added features.
Starkey Hearing Aids
The title of world's largest hearing aids manufacturer belongs to Starkey Laboratories. Their hearing aids are created by bearing in mind the kind of lifestyle you live and the scale of your hearing loss. Starkey provided the first in the hearing aid industry-a warranty and free trial. The three-channel Aspect is Starkey's basic model. The mid-level Destiny is available in various models to accommodate your needs. Your Bluetooth-capable phone would be perfect with the most advanced Eli models with its wireless capability.
Phonak Hearing Aids
The world-renowned corporation, Phonak, is based in Switzerland. Their specialized hearing instruments can be customized to suit your daily needs. The 6-channel eXtra model is available as a basic entry level hearing aid. The mid-range hearing aids with sixteen channels are the Valeo and Elva. Giving the best hearing solution is the concept behind Phonak's twenty-channel Savia. Phonak's hearing aids are also available with wireless capability.