Choosing hearing aids isn’t about brands or “trendy” models. It’s about something far more important: your type of hearing loss.
As a hearing care specialist, I see people every day who arrive with a mistaken idea: thinking any hearing aid works for anyone, and that’s simply not the case. Every ear is different. So is every hearing loss. That’s why the choice has to be completely personalised.
In this guide I want to explain, clearly and without jargon, what options you have depending on your degree of hearing loss, and how to get your choice right.
The starting point: not all hearing loss is the same
Before talking about hearing aids, there’s something basic to understand: not all hearing loss affects you in the same way.
Broadly speaking, we can talk about:
- Mild hearing loss
- Moderate hearing loss
- Severe hearing loss
- Profound hearing loss
And, on top of that, it can be:
- Conductive
- Sensorineural
- Mixed
But don’t worry about the technical names. What matters is knowing that each type needs a different solution. That’s why the first step is always a hearing check-up.
Mild hearing loss: discretion and clarity
When hearing loss is mild, many people wonder if they really need hearing aids — but it’s actually the best time to start, because the brain still remembers the sounds.
- What you notice: You struggle to follow conversations in groups or with background noise.
- Best options: RIC-style hearing aids (with the receiver inside the ear) or invisible in-the-canal (IIC) models.
- Advantages: Very discreet, natural sound, and comfortable for everyday use
- Limitations: Less power if hearing loss progresses, and in the smallest models, fewer features
In these cases, the balance between discretion and performance is key.
Moderate hearing loss: the perfect balance
This is one of the most common cases we see in the clinic. Here we’re no longer just looking for discretion, but also for a clear improvement in speech understanding.
- What you notice: You constantly ask people to repeat themselves and turn the TV up higher than usual.
- Best options: RIC models with different receiver power levels, or custom in-the-canal (ITC) hearing aids.
- Pro tip: At this level, Artificial Intelligence is your best ally. You need a hearing aid that can tell the difference between the noise of a restaurant and your companion’s voice.
- Advantages: Good power without losing discretion, more technology options, and better performance in noise
- Limitations: Require a good fitting to really notice the difference
At this stage, choosing the right technology is essential.
Severe hearing loss: power comes first
When hearing loss is severe, the main goal changes: hearing clearly and safely.
- Best options: Powerful behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids or RIC models with high-power receivers.
- Advantages: Greater power, better ability to amplify speech, more personalisation options.
- Limitations: Less discreet, larger size, and a more gradual fitting process.
In these cases, we prioritise function over appearance.
Profound hearing loss: more specific solutions
With profound hearing loss, conventional hearing aids may not be enough in every case.
- Best options: Super Power (UP) hearing aids from brands such as Phonak (Naída range).
- Pro tip: You’ll likely need accessories such as a Roger microphone, which carries the speaker’s voice directly to your hearing aid, overcoming any distance.
- Best options: Super-powerful hearing aids and complementary systems (such as external microphones)
- Limitations: Need for additional support and a longer fitting process
It’s not just about degree — the type of loss matters too
Beyond the level (mild, moderate, severe…), the type of hearing loss also plays a role.
For example:
- With sensorineural loss → understanding is harder than hearing
- With conductive loss → the problem is usually one of volume
This completely changes the choice of hearing aid, which is why I insist so much on a personalised assessment.
Fitting: the step that makes the difference
Even a good hearing aid, poorly fitted, won’t work well. Fitting includes:
- Gradual adjustments
- Testing in different environments
- Ongoing follow-up
The brain needs time to adapt, and this is where success is really achieved.
Choosing well is the difference between simply “hearing noise” and enjoying a smooth conversation again. Don’t look for the best-known model, the nicest-looking one, or the one a friend uses — look for the one a professional fits to your hearing test and your everyday life.
My recommendation is:
- Get a hearing check-up
- Trust a professional
- Prioritise sound quality
- Take your lifestyle into account
- Give the fitting process time
Want to know which one is right for you? We look forward to seeing you at our hearing centre in Valencia for a complete assessment, with no obligation to try the technology that best fits your life.
Book your appointment by calling 960 659 592 or message us on WhatsApp at 621 00 16 93 and find the best solution for your hearing.
The best hearing aid isn’t the smallest one — it’s the one that best fits you.
