How to Choose the Best Hearing Aids for Your Lifestyle and Budget

Hearing health is often overlooked. That is until problems begin to interfere with daily life…

Many people delay seeing an audiologist because they assume hearing loss is a normal part of aging, or they worry that choosing hearing aids will be complicated and expensive. In reality, protecting your hearing and finding the right hearing aids should be a manageable and personalized process.

Choosing the best hearing aids for your lifestyle and budget comes down to understanding your hearing needs, how you live, and how the technology can best support you. Here’s how our approach at Audiology First can make all the difference!

Why Addressing Hearing Loss Early Matters

Hearing loss affects everyone differently and often develops slowly, making it easy to miss early warning signs. Unfortunately, untreated hearing loss can lead to more than difficulty hearing conversations. Research consistently links unmanaged hearing loss to social withdrawal, cognitive decline, increased listening fatigue, and reduced quality of life.

Hearing aids are not a one-size-fits-all solution…they are simply a tool. How that tool is selected, programmed, and supported over time by a qualified audiologist is where the true value lies.

Early detection of hearing loss gives audiologists the opportunity to recommend the right type of hearing aid, monitor any changes over time, and provide other relevant interventions before permanent damage progresses.

Step 1: The Hearing Test – Your Essential Starting Point

A professional hearing assessment performed by a certified audiologist is the foundation of hearing health. This isn’t something that can be accurately replaced by online screenings or self-administered tests. Audiologists, like the ones on our team here at Audiology First, are trained to provide a level of clinical expertise and precision that cannot be replicated at home.

During a comprehensive hearing test, your audiologist will:

Review your hearing health history and lifestyle factors
Perform pure-tone testing to determine the softest sounds you can hear
Assess speech understanding, often in both quiet and noisy environments
Create an audiogram that maps your hearing ability across frequencies

These results establish a baseline that guides your audiologist towards the right hearing aid style for you. Even if your hearing is currently within a normal range, having this benchmark is essential for long-term reference and prevention. Skipping professional testing can mean choosing hearing aids that don’t fully address your real-world listening needs.

Step 2: Lifestyle Factors – How Daily Life Impacts Hearing Health

Your lifestyle plays a major role in your long-term hearing health. The right hearing aids are especially important if your day-to-day environment places extra demands on your ears.

Consider how often you are exposed to:

Noisy workplaces or industrial environments
Social settings like restaurants or crowded events
Music through headphones or live performances
Recreational activities involving engines, tools, or firearms

These things have a big influence on which hearing aids will work best for you. An audiologist can tailor testing recommendations based on these factors. For example, someone working in a loud working environment may benefit from more advanced speech-in-noise features, while someone focused on home conversations may want to prioritize comfort and simplicity.

Asking yourself how and where you listen throughout the day helps ensure your hearing care is aligned with your real-world needs, and is something your audiologist will help you to determine.

Step 3: Understanding Hearing Aid Technology and Features

Many people with early hearing damage report something along these lines: “I can hear sounds, but I can’t understand words in noisy places.” Speech-in-noise testing identifies these challenges early, and helps guide the selection of hearing aid features designed to improve clarity in real-world settings—it’s something we specialize in here at Audiology First!

Based on your results, your audiologist may recommend hearing aids with features such as:

Directional microphones to improve speech understanding
Noise reduction and sound processing strategies
Bluetooth connectivity for phones and other devices
Different technology levels/tiers that balance performance and cost

Rather than overwhelming you with options, our audiologists offer a personalized approach. We recommend features that provide real benefit based on your hearing needs and lifestyle.

Step 4: Cost, Access, and Preventative Value

In Canada, hearing tests performed by private audiology clinics are often affordable and sometimes covered through private insurance, workplace benefits, or veterans’ programs. Provincial programs may also support hearing-related care depending on your eligibility.

Hearing tests are free for everyone, and hearing aid trials are also free. You only commit to purchasing a hearing aid—or using insurance, Workers’ Compensation, Indigenous benefits, or Veterans’ benefits—once you’ve had the opportunity to determine for yourself that a hearing aid is right for you. These trial periods typically last about 30 days.

Your audiologist will help you understand the different hearing aid price ranges, funding options, and long-term value.

Protecting your hearing and choosing hearing aids is not a one-time decision, but instead an ongoing process. Regular hearing care provides the insight needed to adapt to changes over time, refine hearing aid settings, and ensure continued success.

Audiology First is your Southern Alberta partner for all things hearing health. Our expert team is here to help you with all your regular testing, prevention, and hearing aid care. Book your appointment online with us today!

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Woman undergoing comprehensive hearing test with audiologist in soundproof booth wearing headphones.

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Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: A Medical Emergency You Can't Ignore

October 3, 2025

When it comes to audiology, there’s only one true emergency: sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) . Unlike gradual hearing loss that develops over years, SSNHL appears abruptly and requires immediate medical attention. Audiology First specializes in rapid emergency hearing care, with diagnostic protocols and treatment pathways designed to act fast when every hour matters. Quick intervention can mean the difference between full recovery and permanent hearing damage. Let’s learn how to recognize warning signs and understand what a treatment plan would look like. Understanding Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss Definition and Criteria To an Audiologist, sudden sensorineural hearing loss is defined as a 30+ dB hearing loss (which in layman's terms would be a very noticeable change) across three different pitches of hearing within 72 hours. For it to be a true sudden sensorineural loss, it cannot be related to anything else, like wax blockage, fluid buildup or a blockage. It happens without warning and is often mistaken for a minor issue like earwax buildup or fluid in the ear, but the stakes are often much higher. Prevalence and Demographics SSNHL affects about 5 to 20 per 100,000 people annually , with thousands of cases reported across Canada. While it can strike at any age, adults in their 40s and 50s are more commonly affected. Unilateral vs. Bilateral Most cases are unilateral (one ear), but in rare circumstances, hearing loss can affect both ears. Bilateral cases are especially urgent and may point to underlying systemic or autoimmune conditions. Associated Symptoms Patients often experience additional warning signs such as tinnitus (ringing in the ears), dizziness, or a sensation of fullness in the affected ear. Audiology First’s Emergency Assessment Our clinic prioritizes same-day evaluations , including audiometric testing and immediate physician referral when needed. By identifying SSNHL quickly, we aim to maximize the window for effective treatment and recovery. Remember that hearing care centers like Audiology First cannot treat sudden loss, but play a role in identifying it. If you cannot see an audiologist or another trained hearing care professional right away, you should not delay seeking medical help from a physician. If same day testing is not available, you should continue to seek help as a matter of urgency. We recommend using one or more of the following resources: Call Alberta Healthlink on 311 Visit an Urgent Care center Visit your local Emergency Room or Call a local Ear Nose and Throat specialist’s office Recognizing the Warning Signs Immediate Symptoms The hallmark sign is sudden hearing loss in one ear , which may feel like muffled sounds or difficulty understanding speech. Secondary Indicators Other red flags include persistent tinnitus, balance issues, and ear pressure that can accompany the hearing loss. When to Seek Emergency Care Time is of the essence. Some research shows that treatment is most effective when started within the first 72 hours . While some people’s hearing may recover spontaneously with or without treatment, delaying medical attention can lead to permanent hearing impairment . In some cases, hearing does not recover, even with prompt treatment. If you are experiencing dizziness at the same time as a hearing loss, do not drive yourself to seek help, but consider getting someone to drive you to any immediate appointments. Self-Assessment Techniques At home, a simple test is to cover one ear at a time when listening to a familiar sound (such as your phone or TV). If one side sounds significantly quieter or distorted, it’s an urgent signal to seek help. If you are a hearing aid user, it is important to check that your hearing aid is not blocked or malfunctioning in some way, giving the appearance of a sudden change in hearing. Treatment Options and Protocols Audiologists and Hearing Care Professionals cannot prescribe medications, but these are some of the options offered to people with sudden loss when they visit a medical professional. Corticosteroid Therapy The primary treatment for SSNHL is corticosteroids, delivered either orally or through intratympanic injections. These reduce inflammation and improve the likelihood of hearing recovery. Prednisone is often prescribed. Treatment Timing Prompt treatment is crucial. Patients who start therapy within 14 days of onset have significantly better outcomes. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy For patients who don’t respond to steroids, hyperbaric oxygen therapy can serve as a salvage treatment, improving oxygen delivery to the inner ear. Supportive Care Managing related issues like tinnitus or dizziness may require additional therapies, including hearing aids or vestibular rehabilitation. Audiology First’s Treatment Approach We have a great relationship with the local ENT specialists, and coordinate all aspects of care with them to ensure each patient has access to the best possible recovery options. Recovery and Rehabilitation Recovery Timelines: Recovery can range from a few days to several months, depending on the severity and speed of treatment. Some patients regain full hearing, while others experience only partial improvement. Hearing Aid Considerations: For those with lasting deficits, modern hearing aids can provide amplification and restore communication confidence. Tinnitus Management: Persistent ringing in the ears is often a consequence of hearing loss that can be managed through sound therapy, well fitted hearing aids, counseling, and tinnitus retraining techniques. Follow-up Care: You should return to the clinic for a series of routine follow up tests over the weeks and months following a sudden hearing loss. This allows us to measure whether treatments have been successful, and to treat any residual hearing loss. Audiology First’s Rehabilitation Services For those who need it, Our team provides comprehensive recovery support, including custom hearing aid fittings, counseling, and personalized rehabilitation plans. Prevention and Risk Factors Known Risk Factors Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss has been linked to the following: Viral infections Autoimmune disorders Circulatory problems Certain medications Age-related vulnerabilities Protective Measures Protecting your hearing from loud noise, avoiding ototoxic medications when possible, and treating systemic health issues can lower risk. Early Detection Baseline hearing tests and regular audiology check-ups can help detect changes early and establish a benchmark for comparison. Lifestyle Factors It is difficult to note which factors may reduce the risk of sudden sensorineural hearing loss, but a healthy lifestyle—including balanced nutrition, exercise, and cardiovascular health—supports long-term hearing preservation. Audiology First’s Prevention Programs We provide preventive screenings, personalized risk assessments, and educational resources so patients can take proactive steps toward protecting their hearing health. Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss is not a typical hearing problem…it’s a medical emergency. If you or someone you know experiences sudden hearing loss, don’t wait, contact Audiology First immediately during business hours, or contact any other trusted hearing care clinic. If you cannot reach us, please seek immediate medical attention. Book your hearing evaluation today and take the first proactive step in protecting your long-term hearing health.