Best Hearing Aids in India – The ultimate buying guide for hearing aids 2023

Are you looking for the best hearing aids in India? Well, you have landed at the right place. Hearing loss affects an estimated 63 million Indians, the great majority of whom are elderly individuals. According to WHO people in India, who are suffering from Significant Auditory Impairment estimated prevalence at 6.3% in the Indian population. Over one-third of adults aged 65 to 74 have trouble hearing, and this percentage jumps to roughly half by age 75.

Untreated hearing loss is becoming more widely recognised as a severe public health issue, with research linking it to depression, memory, and concentration issues, and possibly dementia. Hearing aids might assist an estimated 63 million Indians. Although over-the-counter hearing aids may become available in the future, you'll need to have a hearing aid fitted by an audiologist or another hearing healthcare professional for the time being.

Our buyer's guide can assist you in determining where to purchase the best hearing aids and what to look for.

A hearing aid is a tiny electronic device worn in or behind the ear that helps you hear better. It amplifies certain sounds so that a person with hearing loss may listen, speak, and fully engage in daily activities. In both calm and noisy environments, a hearing aid can help individuals hear better. However, only around one in every five persons who could benefit from a hearing aid does so.

The Sound or Speech signal is picked up by the Microphone. The circuit amplifies these signals and sends them to the receiver. The receiver turns electrical signals into audible audio signals or noises.

Hearing aids differ significantly in terms of price, size, special features, and how they're placed inside your ear. The most prevalent hearing aid styles are listed here, starting with the smallest and least noticeable in the ear. This will help you determine the best hearing aids for your use. 

Hearing aid makers continue to make smaller hearing aids to suit the need for unobtrusive hearing devices. However, smaller hearing aids may not be powerful enough to provide you with the increased hearing you desire.

As a starting point, there are two basic hearing aids types.

• In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids

• Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids

In-the-ear (ITE) aids are custom-fit and worn in the ear canal. They are made from an imprint obtained by your hearing care specialist during your hearing aid consultation. To fit in with the outer ear, these designs are usually offered in a variety of skin tones. Some ITE hearing aids are designed to fit deep into the ear canal, while others are designed to fit closer to the outer ear.

A behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid is worn behind the ear and hooks over the top. The hearing aid is connected to a customized earpiece called an ear mould that fits in your ear canal through a tube. This type of hearing aid is suitable for persons of all ages and with practically any type of hearing loss.

Most devices, whether ITE or BTE, operates with ordinary button batteries that must be replaced every 3 to 20 days. Rechargeable batteries, on the other hand, are becoming more prevalent. 

Hearing aids in the IIC and CIC types are the tiniest and most unobtrusive on the market. "Invisible in the canal," as the name implies, IIC styles are nearly undetectable. They must be withdrawn by tugging on a little pull-out cord after being inserted extremely deeply in the ears. CIC stands for "completely in the canal" and is extremely similar to CIC, however it does not sit as deeply into the ears.

People with mild to moderate hearing loss should wear these styles. They normally don't come with any manual controls, like volume dials, or programme buttons, due to their small size.

Advantages –

• Very discreet

• Good sound quality because of how they fit within the ear

Disadvantages –

• Susceptible to ear wax and moisture damage

• Small size can be a problem for dexterity

• The small size also can be a problem for connectivity to wireless devices, like smartphones

ITC hearing aids are comfy and effortless to use since they sit in the bottom region of the outer ear bowl. They have somewhat longer battery life and can accommodate a wider spectrum of hearing deficits because they're significantly bigger than IIC and CIC models. Extra features like directional microphones for better understanding in loud surroundings and manual controls, such as a volume wheel, are also possible due to their small size.

Advantages –

• Discreet

• Longer battery life and more features than IIC and CIC styles

Disadvantages –

• Susceptible to ear wax and moisture damage

• More occlusion can make wearers feel plugged up

• Small size can be a problem for connectivity to wireless devices

Low-profile hearing aids are similar to ITC hearing aid types and come in a variety of shapes and sizes, ranging from half-shell designs that cover half of the outer ear bowl to full-shell designs that cover nearly the whole outer ear bowl. Low-profile designs, like ITC models, are large enough to include directional microphones and manual controls like a volume dial and a programme change push-button. Low-profile styles are preferred by persons with dexterity concerns since they are simpler to grasp than smaller ones.

Advantages –

• Larger size easier to insert and remove

• Adjusts more features and user controls

• Likely to have connectivity to wireless devices like phones

Disadvantages –

• Less discreet than smaller in-the-ear styles

• More occlusion can make wearers feel plugged up

Depending on the manufacturer, this type is referred to as "receiver in the ear" (RITE) or "receiver in canal" (RIC). But they all refer to the same thing: an open-fit hearing aid with the speaker integrated into an insertable ear dome rather than the hearing aid's main body. In other words, the hearing aid's speaker is located in the ear canal, while the microphone and processor are located behind the ear in a small casing.

A tiny cable connects the two. All major hearing aid manufacturers provide this model of hearing aid, which has above-average sound quality. If the speaker piece of the hearing aid that fits in the ear breaks, it can usually be changed at the hearing aid clinic rather than needing to be sent to the manufacturer for repair.

Advantages –

• Generally, the only style that comes with a rechargeable battery option

• Most likely to come with wireless connectivity to devices like phones

• Most likely to have advanced technology such as artificial intelligence

• The speaker can be replaced separately

• Telecoil options are common

Disadvantages –

• Smaller RITE sizes can be a problem for proficiency

• Speaker is susceptible to moisture and ear wax damage

• The microphone and sound processor that sit behind the ear is visible

Any form of hearing loss, from slight to profound, may be accommodated by BTE systems that include earmolds. Their lengthier design follows the curve behind the outer ear, allowing them to hold more features, controls, and battery capacity than any other hearing aid model. Because the BTE may be reprogrammed as needed and the earmold can be replaced as the kid grows, a BTE with earmold style is often used for youngsters.

Advantages –

• Fits all degrees of hearing loss, including profound hearing loss

• Models with wireless connectivity to devices and advanced technology

• Custom-fit earmold can be replaced separately

• Less susceptible to moisture damage

Disadvantages –

• More occlusion can make wearers feel plugged up

• Potential space limitations for eyeglass wearers

• Not as cosmetically hidden

Let's be honest. Purchasing hearing aids are rarely as simple as going online and making an order within minutes. However, with the correct tools and resources, you can locate a hearing aid that meets your needs and fits your budget, allowing you to enhance your hearing and overall quality of life.

We have covered all you need to know about making an informed decision in this buying guide to hearing aid, as well as providing extra resources to assist you along the road! Here are six things to look for and questions to ask your hearing doctor before buying hearing aids.

You may need to consider the specifics in addition to assessing your baseline hearing loss degree. If you have difficulty hearing in the high frequencies, for example, your hearing aid will need to have the programming flexibility to enhance the exact pitches you require. If you have tinnitus, you may need a device that uses built-in tinnitus programmes in some hearing aids to help you manage your condition.

Patients may not only suffer hearing loss but also have difficulty comprehending speech. During your hearing evaluation, your Audiologist will determine this. If this is the case for you, it indicates that even if we increase the volume using hearing aids to compensate for your hearing loss, you still have difficulty comprehending how clear speech is. Patients with this sort of issue would often benefit more from higher-end hearing aid technology, which has more built-in capabilities that can analyse and process sounds for you rather than depending only on your brain's capacity to do so.

When opposed to the cosy and controlled atmosphere of your home, you may be exposed to greater background noise if you go out frequently or for lengthy periods of time. As a consequence, you may need to seek hearing aids that improve voice clarity while also reducing ambient noise.

The activity in which you spend the most time determines your important listening times. Do you, for example, work on a building site? Do you have a lot of large-scale public speaking events? Do you work in the music industry? Do you participate in a sport or outdoor activity regularly? It's critical for your success to choose a device that can provide you with the finest possible support throughout your critical listening times.

A telecoil is a tiny copper coil built inside a hearing aid. While that doesn't seem too spectacular, what it can accomplish is. Telecoils allow you to chat on the phone and connect to hearing loop devices without getting feedback. If a hearing loop system is constructed in a church or a movie theatre, for example, the sound will be delivered directly to your hearing aid for maximum clarity.

For the same purpose, hearing loops may be installed in home theatre systems. For further information, see your hearing specialist.

Have you recently purchased a new iPhone or smartphone? If that's the case, suitable hearing aids that link wirelessly to these devices could be worth considering. You may then stream phone conversations and music directly to your hearing aids for the best sound quality possible.

Your smartphone can also be used as a hearing aid remote control, allowing you to adjust the volume and settings invisibly.

In 2016, Sivantos, the company that bought Siemens Hearing Instruments, launched the Signia hearing aid series. Sivantos' newly designed hearing devices are marketed under the Signia brand. Their series consist of instruments that vary from BTE (Behind the Ear) to ITE (In the Ear).

These hearing aids can also be used as high-tech earphones for streaming TV, music, and phone calls. They're designed for persons with mild to moderate hearing loss, and they deliver a natural listening experience with crisp, clear sound.

They come with a lithium-ion charging case that lasts for four days without needing to be recharged. They isolate the sound of your voice and process it individually, so it sounds as natural to you as it does to others.

• Hearing Aids Price – Roughly Rs 13,000.

• Battery – Rechargeable & Battery-powered options

• Bluetooth capabilities – Available in some models

• Adjustment – Remote phone app or audiologist consultation

• Warranty – 3-year manufacturer's warranty. 45-day risk-free trial

In our ageing population, falls are the primary cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries. Patients with modest hearing loss were nearly three times more likely to have a history of falling, according to Johns Hopkins University researchers. We can't always be present for our loved ones, and it can be frightening to know that they are at risk of falling while you are away.

Artificial intelligence in Starkey Livio AI can detect a fall. You may add yourself or others as contacts in the app, and if your loved one falls, the hearing aid app will notify you. You can provide them with the assistance they require as quickly as feasible.

• Hearing Aids Price – Ranges from Rs 5000 to 3 Lakhs

• Battery – Rechargeable & Battery-powered options

• Bluetooth capabilities – Yes

• Adjustment – Remote phone app

• Warranty – 3-year manufacturer's warranty. 45-day risk-free trial

Tinnitus, commonly known as ringing in the ears, can be caused by a variety of factors, and there are many distinct varieties of tinnitus. Although there is no treatment, there are several options. Sound therapy has been shown to help treat tinnitus with Widex Zen technology. 

Widex Moment with Zen tones promotes relaxation while also helping to eliminate the annoying sound of tinnitus. To cure tinnitus, Zen technology employs fractal musical tones. Musical chimes that are played at random are known as fractal tones. This is significant since there is no discernible pattern. Because the tones are continually unpredictable, your brain cannot become used to them, rendering them ineffectual in combating tinnitus.

These soothing chimes assist to relieve tension and anxiety, both of which are recognised tinnitus causes. They're more enjoyable to listen to than the narrowband or broadband noise used by other hearing devices to cure tinnitus.

• Hearing Aids Price – Starting from 1 Lakh

• Battery – Rechargeable & Battery-powered options

• Bluetooth capabilities – 

• Adjustment – Remote phone app 

• Warranty – 3-year manufacturer's warranty. 45-day risk-free trial

A strong hearing aid with clear sound is essential if you have severe to profound hearing loss. The Phonak Naida Marvel 90 is a behind-the-ear hearing aid designed for moderate to profound hearing loss. It is one of Phonak's best performers.

A specialist places the Phonak Lyric right into your ear canal near your eardrum, making the aids completely unnoticeable. They locate sound by utilising the natural shape and anatomy of your ear. These hearing aids may be left in your ears for months at a time without being removed.

• Hearing Aids Price – Starting from Rs 1 Lakh for an individual to Rs 3 lakh for a pair

• Battery – Rechargeable or 312 batteries

• Bluetooth capabilities – Yes

• Adjustment – Local fitting included with purchase

• Warranty – 3-year manufacturer's warranty and 45-day risk-free trial.

Hearing aids that are rechargeable allow you to use them without changing the batteries. Each manufacturer offers a rechargeable hearing aid, but ReSound's rechargeable hearing aids are one of the most durable, lasting over 30 hours. The charging case stores charge and allow you to recharge your hearing aids on the road without having to plug them into an outlet.

ReSound's app allows you additional freedom within these categories to enhance and fine-tune your listening experience in real-time if you wish to control your hearing aids as much as possible using your smartphone.

• Hearing Aids Price – Starting at Rs 1 Lakh

• Battery – Rechargeable & Battery-powered options

• Bluetooth capabilities – Yes

• Adjustment – Remote phone app or audiologist consultation

• Warranty – 3-year manufacturer's warranty. 45-day risk-free trial

Ans - There are many variations and features available in hearing aids. You can choose a style that suits your condition. These are the four types of hearing aids

1. Behind-the-ear

2. In-the Ear

3. Open Fit Behind-the-ear

4. Recover in the year 

Ans - RIC and BTE hearing aids are widely perceived as the most comfortable since their compact sound transmitters are the sole component in the ear, minimising any obstructed sensation.

Ans - Power or superpower hearing aids are hearing aids for persons with severe to profound hearing loss. They're a bit bigger than regular hearing aids and are often worn behind the ear with a bespoke earmold.

Your family physician can examine your ears for wax accumulation and discuss any medical issues that may be causing your hearing loss. You can then visit an Audiologist to confirm your condition and get further treatment. 

Hearing aids are costly, and while they are not generally covered by insurance or Medicare, you could select ones that cover your budget. Hearing aids are an investment, so only buy those that come with a 30-day risk-free trial and a manufacturer's guarantee.

As you can see, buying hearing aids isn't as simple as picking up a pair of off-the-shelf sunglasses. It's also not an impossible challenge. Hearing is one of our key senses since it allows us to connect with others' thoughts and feelings. As a result, doing some research, asking tough questions, and being patient to locate a solution and service that suits your requirements and personality is well worth the effort.

After the implants are placed in your ears, a process known as brain rewiring begins, which can take up to three months. Seek guidance from those who have already walked in these new, louder shoes. On a lighter note, take your time to pick a hearing aid as it is a lifelong companion.