Hearing Aid Buying Guide
DON’T buy any hearing aid before reading this blog !
Hi, I’m Mickel—your audiologist here at Earsonic. I created this blog to help you feel more comfortable and informed when it comes to your hearing health.
If you’re feeling unsure about where to start, or a bit lost in the world of hearing aids and hearing loss, don’t worry—you’re not alone. Through this blog, I’ll be sharing simple, honest advice on the most important things to know before getting hearing aids.
My goal is to make things easier to understand and guide you through every step, so you can make the choices that are right for you.
Step 1 : Understanding the real problem
Many people mistakenly believe that hearing loss means total deafness—just like assuming myopia means complete blindness. But that’s simply not true.
Hearing loss means that sounds need to be louder than normal in order for us to detect them. It can affect one specific pitch or a range of frequencies. For the brain to understand speech clearly, it needs input from all pitches at a normal volume. When the ears stop sending high-pitched sounds, for example, the brain starts to struggle.
That’s when confusion sets in—did they say 'sell', 'fell' or ‘shell’ ? We often blame others for mumbling, speaking softly, or talking from another room. We might blame background noise or the acoustics. Sometimes patients with hearing loss say, “I don’t think I have hearing loss — I can hear you just fine right now.” And that’s completely understandable. In a quiet, one-on-one setting like this, with no background noise with clear and loud speech, it’s much easier to follow a conversation. This is a common stage of denial, where we find every reason—except our hearing—for the difficulty we're experiencing.
But once we understand that hearing loss often means missing some sounds, not all, and that hearing aids are designed to amplify the sounds we no longer hear well, it becomes easier to accept our condition. And with that acceptance, comes greater confidence and comfort in wearing hearing aids.
Step 2 : Realistic expectations
While hearing aids can significantly improve your ability to hear and communicate, they do not "cure" hearing loss or fully restore hearing to what it was with a healthy ear.
Understanding this helps set realistic expectations for what hearing aids can—and cannot—do. Patients sometimes tell me, “I invested in hearing aids, but I still struggle to follow conversations in busy restaurants.” That’s a valid concern, and I like to explain it with a simple comparison: If someone has a broken leg and uses crutches, the crutches don’t replace the leg — the damage is still there. While they’ll be able to walk better with support, they probably won’t be running marathons like someone with healthy legs.
Setting clear, realistic expectations is one of the most important steps to having a successful and satisfying experience with your hearing aids.
Step 3 : Setting clear goals
Setting clear goals is essential when choosing a hearing aid. Ask yourself: do I want to hear better in quiet settings, or in noisy places like restaurants and family gatherings?
Each hearing aid model has its strengths. For example, if your goal is to hear well in noisy environments using advanced AI technology, a tiny in-the-canal hearing aid may not offer the features needed. Similarly, entry-level devices might work well in quiet situations but often struggle in more complex environments.
That’s why I always recommend choosing the best technology you can reasonably afford. It gives you better sound quality, more features, and allows me to fine-tune the device more precisely—leading to a much better hearing experience overall.
Step 4 : Choose the right clinic
Choosing the Right Clinic Matters
Not all hearing clinics are the same—and knowing the difference can have a big impact on your hearing journey.
Manufacturer-Owned Clinics are operated by a specific hearing aid brand. While they may provide good care, they generally recommend and sell only their own products. This creates a potential conflict of interest and limits your choices. These clinics often have a stronger focus on sales rather than offering truly personalized solutions.
Wholesale or Chain Clinics often focus on volume sales and offer limited flexibility. Their pricing might seem appealing at first, but the level of personalized care and product choice can vary widely.
Independent Clinics—like ours—are fully patient-focused. We’re not tied to any single brand, which means we can recommend the hearing aids that best suit your needs, lifestyle, and budget. You get unbiased advice, more options, and a level of care that’s tailored just for you.
Choosing the right clinic is just as important as choosing the right hearing aid. Look for a team that puts your hearing health—not sales—first.
Step 5 : Choose the right clinician
Regulated vs. Non-Regulated Hearing Professionals: Why It Matters
When it comes to your hearing health, it's crucial to choose the right professional—not just for your care today, but for your protection in the future.
You'll come across two types of clinicians: Audiologists, who are regulated healthcare professionals, and Hearing Instrument Practitioners, who are not governed by a regulatory college. This distinction matters more than you might think.
A regulated professional—like an audiologist, physician, dentist, pharmacist etc, are licensed and overseen by a provincial regulatory body (such as CASLPO in Ontario for audiologists). This means they must follow strict standards, stay current with best practices, and are held accountable for the quality of care they provide. If something goes wrong, you have the right to file a formal complaint, and your case will be reviewed by the governing body.
In contrast, non-regulated professionals like hearing instrument practitioners are not subject to the same level of oversight or accountability. You may have fewer options for recourse if something is mishandled.
Regulation also matters when it comes to government programs. If you're applying for coverage through WSIB, ADP, ODSP, VAC, or private insurance, these organizations typically require a diagnosis and treatment plan from a regulated clinician—which means an audiologist.
For your hearing, your peace of mind, and your protection, always choose a regulated professional.
Your audiologist at Earsonic
Mickel Khairallah, Clinical Audiologist & Physiologist
Regulated by the College of Audiologists and Speech Language Pathologists of Ontario (CASLPO). License #7850.
Graduate of the University of Montreal (2011–2020)
Faculty of Medicine – Department of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology
Step 6 : Be honest to yourself
Honesty and Commitment: The Key to Better Hearing
When it comes to hearing care, the most important thing is not just the hearing aids—it’s you.
As your audiologist, my goal is to help you hear better and improve your quality of life. But to do that, we need to work together. That’s why I always ask my patients to be honest with themselves and with me.
No one wants you to get hearing aids and not wear them. The only real requirement I have before starting a treatment plan is seeing your motivation and commitment to the process. If you're ready to invest in your hearing health, I’ll be with you every step of the way.
If you don’t wear your hearing aids as advised, you won’t see improvement. If you choose to wear only one hearing aid when two were recommended, the results will fall short. And if you opt for a device that wasn’t suited for your specific needs, you may miss out on the full benefits of treatment.
Hearing better takes teamwork. With honesty, trust, and the right plan, we can achieve the best outcome—together.
Step 7 : Services, Warranties & Support
Know What’s Included: Services, Warranties & Support
When you invest in hearing aids, you're not just buying a device—you’re beginning a journey of better hearing, and it’s important to understand the support and services that come with it.
At Earsonic, we make sure you’re covered with a comprehensive warranty, including loss and damage insurance, and a personalized service plan to support you long after your fitting. We’ll explain all the details—like the trial period, return policy, and what to expect if you ever want to upgrade or change your devices.
You’ll also have access to follow-up care, adjustments, supplies of domes and filters, 6 months check-ups and ongoing fine-tuning to ensure your hearing aids continue to meet your needs.
We believe in transparency and trust, so we take the time to walk you through everything before you commit. Understanding these terms upfront means no surprises—just confidence, support, and better hearing every step of the way.
“I Should’ve Done This a Long Time Ago”
“I Should’ve Done This a Long Time Ago”
This is the most common thing I hear from my patients—and every time, it’s both encouraging and a little sad.
Encouraging, because it means they’re finally experiencing the joy of better hearing and realizing how much they were missing. Sad, because many of them waited years, struggling in silence while their brain and social life slowly suffered without support.
If you're noticing signs of hearing loss, don’t wait. The sooner we act, the better the outcome—for your ears, your brain, and your quality of life.
Act now. You won’t be disappointed.
Your future self will thank you.
Hearing Aids and Your Brain
“Hearing Aids Support Both Your Ears and Your Brain
Hearing loss doesn’t just affect your ears — it also impacts your brain. Studies have shown that untreated hearing loss is linked to an increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia. That’s because when the brain gets less sound input, it has to work harder to understand speech, and areas involved in memory and thinking can become less active over time.
Wearing hearing aids helps keep your brain stimulated, reduces mental strain, and supports better communication — all of which are important for long-term cognitive health. Treating your hearing loss is an important step in protecting your brain and staying engaged with the world around you.