Skip to content

Sarasota: 941-316-0406   Venice: 941-488-4980  |  ¡Se Habla Español!

What is the Difference Between Hearing Aid Technology Levels and Which One Works Best For Me?

This is a very common question to have when you are new in the hearing aid world. While on the outside most hearing aids tend to look the same, but what changes is the chip and the components inside. Think of it like a camera. They all take pictures, but the more megapixels the better quality photographs it will take. 

In terms of hearing aids, the various technology levels offer different features that will improve sound quality for the patient. In simpler words, you have a smarter chip that will process sound better depending on the situation. Higher level technology has the capability to adjust and suppress background noise or echo better than a basic level technology. While Basic level technology will still adapt its microphones to suppress background noise, not all noise is equal in terms of frequency and volume. This is where a smarter chip kicks in. The chip will know the difference between road/car noise, background restaurant noise and echo in church. 

To grasp a nice idea of what it’s about, let us break down the different technology levels:

Basic: For those who like a quiet environment and prefer to avoid crowds. Works perfect for one on one conversations in quieter places

Standard: Good features to manage hearing comfortably in small groups environments or small group conversations.

Advanced: In this level you can start noticing a bigger range of features for a wider range of scenarios like, car, restaurants, church, etc. Good at managing wind noise for those beach goers or golfers and good for concerts and theaters.

Premium: This level will always offer the best and most advanced features with a smarter chip that performs independently anywhere you go. Perfect for restaurants, meeting rooms, active indoor and outdoor lifestyles and best feedback and noise protection.

So how do I determine which one is best for me? That depends on your lifestyle and daily life routines. Let’s begin by asking yourself these questions:

  • What scenarios or situations are causing me the most problems with hearing?
  • What areas of my lifestyle are the most important for me?

The more challenging it becomes for you in noisy settings, the higher the technology level you may need. Whether you are an active athlete, a restaurant lover or a Netflix expert (like me), don’t let hearing loss ruin your experiences. It is best to discuss these answers with your audiologist so you can both determine the technology level that best suits your needs.

Authored by Jorge Irizarry, Au.D.

Dr. Jorge Irizarry

Text Size:

Request a Callback

Name(Required)
MM slash DD slash YYYY
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Free Hearing Consultation

Hearing Test

You Might Be Interested in These Articles

Dr. Lundstrom’s Insights on Noise-Induced Hearing Loss Featured on Forbes

June 7, 2023
Posted in ,

Dr. Lundstrom’s insights on noise-induced hearing loss were recently featured on Forbes Health! “While noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL)…

Read More

Famous YouTuber, Mr. Beast Partners with Hearing The Call

May 25, 2023
Posted in , ,

What do you get when the world’s biggest YouTuber connects with Hearing the Call? Some of you may…

Read More

Dr. Lundstrom Featured on HealthyHearing!

May 12, 2023
Posted in ,

Dr. Lundstrom’s insights on “Emergency Communication Tips” were recently featured on HealthyHearing.com! This article is a must read…

Read More

Request a Callback

It is often the small things that hold us back from making a decision. That’s why we are on hand to help.

Simply complete the Callback form to request a friendly, no-obligation conversation with one of our helpful team members.

Name(Required)
MM slash DD slash YYYY
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Hal Ott
Hal Ott
March 6, 2024.
The staff are very pleasant professional and efficient. Based upon my one visit I would recommend HearCare.
John Owen
John Owen
February 29, 2024.
This is to say that Dr. Olson is the Masterless One in the practice of audiology - and his staff are absolutely peerless. As one of their patients for over 5 years, I continue to be impressed by the depth of their knowledge and their constructive application of it to my needs. This includes their ever-evolving technologically advanced equipment and techniques. The foundation of their practice and the starting point with every patient is based upon their advanced listening skills and sensitivities to the nuances of our individual needs. Above all, I hold Dr. Olson in the highest esteem because for many years he has been so giving of his time and talents volunteering humanitarian services to hearing-challenged persons on several continents. To the reader of this note, I say, you may be confident of receiving the best of care at Dr. Olson's Hear Care.
Susan St. John
Susan St. John
January 26, 2024.
Dr. Jeff Olson, listened to my about the issues of my hearing and made me feel at ease.
David McAfee
David McAfee
January 21, 2024.
Bottomline: HearCare Audiology Center in Sarasota, FL provides the best service of ANY health care organization that I have EVER encountered. Here is my story: My ears had become increasingly painful for a period of over a month. In addition, my hearing had become so poor that I was getting really worried. How could I function in life if my hearing kept deteriorating? How could I continue to perform my job? In a panic, I drove to HearCare Audiology Center on a Friday afternoon. I had no reservation for an appointment, but I felt desperate to get professional help. I explained my situation to the compassionate staff. Dr. Jeffrey Olson was on his way out and overheard my story. He put aside his immediate weekend plans to help me, a suffering and worried patient. Dr. Olson professionally and correctly diagnosed my problem as severe wax build up over a period of several years in both ears. Dr. Olson used a high tech water machine to painlessly and quickly clear all of impacted wax out of my ears. Dr. Olson is a true professional who has mastered the audiology profession. Now that my ears have been totally cleared out, my hearing has never been better. I feel like I have my old life back again !!! THANK YOU DR. OLSON AND HEARCARE AUDIOLOGY CENTER STAFF FOR SHOWING COMPASSION TO ME ON A FRIDAY AFTERNOON. YOU PUT ASIDE YOUR WEEKEND PLANS TO TREAT ME AND HEAL ME !!!! DEAR READER...IF YOU HAVE HEARING ISSUES, PLEASE RUN.... DON'T WALK TO HEARCARE AUDIOLOGY CENTER. THEY WILL SHOW COMPASSION TOWARDS YOU AND THEN HEAL YOU !!!!!! 😊 Sincerely, Dave McAfee, Registered Professional Engineer
Cher Rowe
Cher Rowe
January 18, 2024.
HearCare Audiology is a caring, informative and professional hearing center. The visit from Beth right through to all the audiologists and staff is comfortable and a helpful experience. True professionals that feel like family, for all your hearing concerns!
William Strauss
William Strauss
December 29, 2023.
Very professional
Ann Zaltman
Ann Zaltman
December 13, 2023.
The entire new patient experience was excellent. Staff and Dr Olsen were cheerful, competent, and professional.
Marcelina Suchocka
Marcelina Suchocka
November 29, 2023.
Very kind and professional staff.
Scroll To Top