There are a wide range of hearing aids available for people who are experiencing hearing loss. Depending on the level of your hearing loss and the type of activities that you want to do, there is going to be one that is suited to you more than the others. In this article, we are going to be taking a look at the best hearing aid type for listening to music, so keep reading if you would like to find out more.

The difference in sounds and speech

Something that you need to understand is that not all noise is equal. There is quite a difference in what we hear and how we hear it, which is why hearing aids use clever technology to tell whether something is background noise, speech or sounds like announcements. The thing is that music is on an entirely different level because music is far more audible than speech. This makes it extremely difficult to get hearing aids that can clearly hear all types of music as well as speech and everything. It’s a much more difficult task because of the range that the hearing aids would need to cover. Added to this, not all music sounds the same. 

Sound and speech do not sound the same, even though they may when your hearing is fully functional. Those subtle differences are what make finding hearing aids a challenge, but it doesn’t mean it’s impossible.

Hearing aids and music

When you get hearing aids, the most important thing is understanding what other people are saying, which is why speech is the main focus when it comes to the development of these pieces of technology. The focus on speech, however, can mean that thought is taken away from other things, especially the clarity of music. Luckily, with features like Bluetooth, streaming music into your hearing aids can lessen these effects. 

One of the bigger problems that has been found is the fact hearing aids often filter out what is determined to be unnecessary noise. Ultimately, this means that speech understanding is better, and sometimes you will need to adjust to what music sounds like again. Talking to your hearing professional will help them program your hearing aids properly for your lifestyle, as well as assisting you on what the best features are for your hobbies.

The best hearing aids for music

There are many types of hearing aids you can choose from, including: 

  • Behind the ear (BTE): Devices worn behind the ear that connect to a microphone or receiver inside the ear. These provide an open fit.
  • In the ear (ITE): These hearing aids are worn in the outer bowl of the ear canal and provide more direct sound with something that is easy to handle.
  • In the canal (ITC): Typically recommended for the most natural listening experience, these are worn in the canal, which helps eliminate background noise.

You can talk to a hearing instrument specialist about what the best hearing aids will be suitable for your specific needs. It is important that you listen to the advice of your hearing instrument specialist here though. They may have some other ideas about what is going to be best in your individual case. You’ve got to try and look at this as a more personal query because your hearing loss journey is not the same as anyone else’s. This means that you might not need the same support, even though you’re looking for the same thing.

Someone who has severe hearing loss but enjoys music is still likely to need something different to one who has mild hearing loss. Your hearing instrument specialist will be able to come up with a list of styles for you and brands. It’s important to understand that you cannot take a one shoe fits all approach size when it comes to hearing aids, even when it is for the same type of activity as someone else. 

It’s important for you to take a look around and make a decision based on your needs and the recommendation of your hearing instrument specialist to find the best. They can also program your hearing aids to ensure you are getting the most out of them every day. 

If you would like to know more about hearing aids and music, contact Armand’s Hearing Center at Bradenton 941-748-9800 and Sun City 813-938-1148. We will help you find the perfect device to have you communicating with the world around you again.