Selecting hearing aids is an important process, matched only by the quest to find the right eyeglass prescription. Choose hearing aids wisely, and you will by privy to the cacophony of life: dogs barking, children laughing, birds singing and the voices of your loved ones. Choose not to take the quest seriously and you may be left with sub-par hearing aids that barely make a difference.

When selecting hearing aids:

• Talk to your doctor and ask for clarification. He or she should be able to recommend multiple types for you. If they seem dead set on one particular brand, ask why. Many people who are hard of hearing can benefit from a wide variety of different aids. Learn the positives and negatives of each one before making a decision.

• Consult your insurance company. Hearing aid purchases are often covered by insurance. Writing down a few of the aids you are interested in purchasing will help because you can ask if a specific aid is covered. Don’t accept anything other than a precise answer. Being billed for something when you could have purchased a reasonably similar facsimile for little or not cost is tragic.

• Learn as much as you can about different types of hearing aids. Though in-ear hearing aids are perhaps the most popular, a few others exist that may also meet your needs. These include disposable hearing aids as well as hearing aids that you wear on your body. Although not widely popular because of their cumbersome nature, they nonetheless serve the needs of a segment of the hard of hearing population.

• Once you have made a purchasing decision, learn as much as you can about your hearing aids. How do they work? How often do you need to change the batteries? This valuable information will help as you maintain your investment. Consider it knowledge well learned, as your ears will thank you for taking the trouble.

• Immediately contact your doctor if you suddenly notice that sounds are difficult to hear again. He or she may be able to calibrate your aid differently. You may even need a new one. You will not know this information unless you make the appointment.

Remember: You don’t need to accept hearing loss. Hearing aids are a rare gift that you can give yourself that lets the world talk to you once again. Good luck with your search!