Often one of the major quibbles I have run into when selecting a device for a patient is picking the level of technology needed. By level of technology, I don't mean size of the device, nor it's appearance. By level of technology, I'm referring to the device's capability to clean up one's ability to understand speech in noise in order to give them a fighting chance. In general, the more features that are implemented on a device, the easier a time somebody is going to have understanding speech in a noisy environment. Because if this, here is a guide, based on my own experience to help you have an informed conversation with your hearing care professional when it comes to decide what level of technology you need.
Premium (Price range: $6000-$8000 for a pair):
If you are still working or retired but still very active, you need premium devices. These devices do the best at squashing background noise and improving the speech signal so you have a chance at understanding people talk in noisy and active situations. This way, you aren't constantly making adjustments to your volume or constantly changing programs (groups of settings for different environments). All you have to do is put them on and let them run. That way, you can go to your job, be more productive because you can understand what's going on, and not have to worry about it. Same if you're retired and traveling. Airports can be hellacious when it comes to sound because you have people milling about constantly with announcements that aren't always clear being made, not to mention the sounds from a jet or turboprop aircraft in actual flight. If you're in those situations, you don't want to be constantly making adjustments because all it's going to do is call attention to the fact that you have a problem. You want something that will keep up with you automatically. Therefore, if you are working, retired but active in your community, or on your world tour/cruise, you want to wear premium devices because they will keep up with you automatically, giving you the fighting chance you need. Examples of premium devices include the Oticon Agil, Phonak Ambra/Audeo IX/Naida IX, and the Unitron Moxi/Quantum 20
Medium Level ( Price range: $5000-$6000 for a pair)
Medium level devices are for people who are largely still at home, yet still get out and participate from time to time. In more dynamic environments, they may require some user adjusting for clarity, but not that much, because they aren't quite as automated as premium level devices are. The type of person who would do well with medium level devices is somebody who largely stays at home in front of the television, but somewhat frequently gets taken out by their family or stays with family over the holidays. They don't need that much sophistication because their days are largely spent in a quiet room with very likely the television on. Therefore, they don't need a ton of sophisticated processing most of the time. The times they do get out though, they want to have that fighting chance and with a mid level product, they get that. Examples of Mid range devices include the Oticon Acto Pro, Phonak Solana/Audeo V/Naida V and the Unitron Moxi/Quantum 12.
Low End (Price range: $4000-$5000 for a pair)
Low end devices are generally for people who are either 24 hour care, homebound, or who really don't get out at all. They have the least sophistication and often require user adjustments in noisy situations. Most of the time, people who would use this kind of a device just need to be able to hear the television without it blasting and/or hear the doorbell when it rings. They may or may not use the telephone anymore. Because of this, they really don't need the sophistication of the high or mid range product. They just need a bit of a boost in quiet so they aren't blasting their neighbors. Examples of these devices include the Oticon Acto, Phonak Cassia/Audeo III/Naida III and the Unitron Moxi/Quantum 6
When talking with you hearing care professional, it's important to really look at yourself or at your parent if you're bringing them in to figure out what is really needed. Only your hearing care professional will know what exactly you need. All if this is only designed to help you have that intelligent conversation with your hearing care professional about what your processing and technology needs really are.
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