Hearing aid ratings may mislead you. Every few years publications like Consumer Reports™ rate many many things. Hearing aids are one of them. Recently, We have had many people show us the latest survey. While the surveys’ are meant to help and educate.. missing data can also be misleading. It is important to know what they reflect and what they do not.
1. Technology Levels Matter. It should be remembered that not all hearing aids are created equal. In reality every hearing aid manufacturer creates several different levels of technologies. Technology can range from hearing aids with artificial intelligence, gyroscopes, and advanced speech processors to basic narrow band amplification devices.
When someone answers a survey about their experience with a brand like Starkey or Oticon (for example)… it is rarely clear that they used the top of the line model or more entry level option. Naturally, someone using a basic model might report less satisfaction than someone using premium technology—but the survey fails to make that distinction.
2. Programming Matters. A critical factor that is rarely acknowledged is how the patients hearing aid was programmed. It is well known in our industry that the hearing
professional programming the prescription for the patient is critical in the success of the patient and the usefulness of the device.
3. Complex Listening Environments. Many survey participants reported difficulty in noisy areas. This is not surprising… even for high end devices. Here’s the nuance with that… some hearing aids are better equipped for these situations than others especially when properly fitted and supported by features like integrated real time noise reduction, directional microphones, and AI based scene detection accompanies by neuro processors. For example; Starkey’s latest premium release with 8 processors for different types of sounds, adjusts and analyzes incoming speech signals into multiple microphones while calculating the type of background noise that it interfering with the speech signal for the user. The gyroscopes along with AI sensors and a dedicated neuro processors determines who the user is looking at…what
speech is coming into the front quadrant and exactly what noise is interfering with their voices. THEN… the neuro processor analyzes environmental sounds in a 360 degree pattern… just like our brain. These premium hearing aids have one of the broadest bandwidth on the market… correcting hearing loss almost out to 10,000 Hz… thus providing the maximum auditory stimulus to the brain. In fact, these premium instruments actually make just under 2 BILLION automatic adjustment in a 24 hour period.
Guess what… Starkey’s lower level technology levels do not do this. Their entry level has 2 processors instead of 8. The bandwidth is very narrow… the microphones are not adaptive… there are no gyroscopes. Simply put. All the manufactures have several different levels of technology. Premium is PREMIUM. If a Consumer survey lumps all models together… entry level to premium the results blur this vital difference.
4. Satisfaction and Success? Hearing aids and better hearing is a journey, not a one time purchase. Success and satisfaction comes with proper fitting and follow-up care. This includes the provider’s guidance, expertise, and willingness to fine-tune settings over the course of the lifetime of the hearing aids. The survey does not have any information as to patient care… if any.
5. Patients Hearing Loss and Brain Ability. The latest Consumer Survey also does not have any possible way to interpret patient hearing loss and cognitive ability. Simply put… when we test a patient we are able to determine how well a person should be able to understand in quiet and in complex, noisy environments. We can determine cognitive load or difficulty. We hear with our brains. Someone with a severe loss who was a professional musician his whole life may have better speech understanding capabilities than someone with a mild loss who worked in a quiet environment. NO TWO PEOPLE ARE ALIKE. Everyone’s amplifications
needs are different.
In summary, while survey’s like this are somewhat interesting… they only tend to confuse many who truly do not understand the complexity of the technology and the research that goes into developing products for the best hearing in noise possible. It also should be noted that this survey represents hearing aids for 2023 as well… In our world that is now considered to be a dinosaur.
Speaking for our office and also those of my peers in the industry… we all deal with reputable… top of the line manufacturers. We attempt to counsel and provide you with the very best hearing possible for your exact personal needs. Don’t let survey’s like this, that do not provide all the data, lead you away from exceptional solutions.
If you are considering hearing aids, choose a provider who takes the time to do a comprehensive hearing evaluation and understands your needs. Make sure they work with top-tier technology and are committed to ongoing care as this is critical in helping you achieve your best hearing. If we can help… call (863) 385-3497. To Hear Better Is To Live Better!
By: Roseann B. Kiefer, B.A., BC-HIS