100 Essential Questions Before Buying Hearing Aids: A Must-Read Guide to Avoid Pitfalls

Q: Have you clearly understood your hearing loss condition?
A: If the hearing loss is severe or your audiogram is complex, it is recommended to choose professional-grade hearing aids through offline channels, where you can undergo fitting and trial before purchase, avoiding online channels.

Q: Is your high-frequency hearing loss particularly severe?
A: If high-frequency loss is significant and amplification alone cannot resolve the issue, it is recommended to choose a device with frequency-lowering technology (which shifts or compresses high-frequency sounds to lower frequencies).

Q: Do you mind others noticing you’re wearing a hearing aid?
A: If so, opt for smaller, more discreet models such as RIC (Receiver-in-Canal), CIC (Completely-in-Canal), or IIC (Invisible-in-Canal).

Q: Are your daily life environments complex?
A: If you frequently visit noisy places like markets, restaurants, or construction sites, choose higher-tier devices with advanced noise reduction capabilities.

Q: Do you often use hearing aids for listening to music, phone calls, short videos, or WeChat voice messages?
A: If yes, select hearing aids with Bluetooth and wireless audio streaming. Note:
• Devices supporting A2DP and HFP protocols are compatible with smartphones, tablets, and other smart devices.
• ASHA protocol devices only support Android phones.
• MFi protocol devices are compatible with iOS devices.

Q: How is your finger dexterity? Can you perform fine operations?
A: If yes, all types are suitable. If not, consider ease of use when selecting models and power options:
• ITC (In-the-Canal) aids are easier to handle than RIC (Receiver-in-Canal) or BTE (Behind-the-Ear) models.
• Rechargeable models are more user-friendly as they eliminate frequent battery changes.

Q: Do you sweat easily or often stay in humid environments?
A: If so, choose devices with better waterproof and dustproof performance (most flagship models from leading brands now offer IP68 rating).

Q: Do you frequently wear glasses, hats, or masks?
A: If yes, consider custom-molded or standard in-ear devices, as BTE models may interfere with these accessories.

Q: Do you experience tinnitus?
A: If yes, opt for hearing aids with tinnitus masking functionality.

Q: What is the condition of your ear canal? Is it prone to moisture or inflammation?
A: If the ear canal is unhealthy or inflamed, custom-molded devices may not be suitable—consult a professional for advice.

Q: What is your budget?
A: Within your budget, higher-priced models generally offer better performance. If your budget is under ¥3,000 and you meet local disability federation criteria, consider applying for a free device through government programs.

Note:
• RIC: Receiver-in-Canal | BTE: Behind-the-Ear | ITC: In-the-Canal