If you want to make appropriate comparisons between one type of hearing aid and another, you have to know what you're dealing with.
In this case, you're looking at two different forms of technology - analog and digital.
While the analog type of assistive device is being slowly but surely phased out, it still offers some attractive options to those impaired individuals who are on a budget.
There are some significant differences between analog and digital devices, however, that are important for the consumer to understand.
While analog devices merely amplify sound, digital devices adjust and fine tune that sound, offering the user a better listening experience.
More customization options are available in the digital world as well.
Cost This is the primary benefit of going analog when shopping for a hearing aid.
An analog device is much less expensive than even the bottom-of-the-line digital counterparts.
Of course, cost shouldn't be your sole determining factor when you start looking at assistive devices.
While it is subjective to a certain degree, many users of digital devices find them much more comfortable than analog devices, an important factor for something you'll be wearing most of the time.
Cost can't be discounted altogether, of course, especially for those on a budget.
Most insurance companies will cover only a small portion of the price, if that.
Placement Where and how the hearing aid is placed in your ear is another important point of comparison when shopping between styles.
There are two primary dichotomies when it comes to placement, which are behind the ear varieties and in the ear devices.
The latter type, as you would expect, is placed completely into the ear, and it is the smallest varieties available on the market.
These are perfect for those people for whom wearing an assistive listening device is an embarrassment.
They are not perfect for those on a budget, however, as they are usually the most expensive.
The battery life is not always long, either.
Behind the ear types are larger and better for those with more substantial impairment.
Features Technology has come a long way from the hearing aid of 20 years ago.
As with everything technological, some great strides have been made to offer smaller, more powerful devices to those with impairment.
The sound quality is better and the features are vast.
How many features you want will be a necessary point of comparison when shopping.
Everything from extensive EQ to noise filtering is available.
Do some research and determine which of these features is important enough to you to justify the added cost.