Getting The Most Out of Your Hearing Aids

A car isn’t really an impulse buy (unless you’re very, very wealthy). So a great deal of research is most likely the first step you take. You take a good look at things such as gas mileage, price point, and customer reviews. Google is your best friend these days. It is sensible to do this level of research. You’re about to drop tens of thousands of dollars on something and spend years paying it off (unless, again, you are very rich). So you want to be certain it’s worth it!

Not only do you consider the concrete factors (gas mileage, safety, etc), but you’ll also give thought to best fits for your lifestyle. What type of vehicle do you want? How much room do you require for weekly supplies? How fast do you want your car to be?

So you need to have a close look at all of your options and make some informed decisions in order to get the most from your purchase. And when you’re selecting new hearing aids, it’s important to have this same attitude. They’re still an investment even though they cost a lot less than a new car. And getting the most from your investment means figuring out which devices work best, in general, as well as what delivers the most for your lifestyle.

Hearing aid advantages

The example of the benefits of investing in hearing aids can be broadly compared with the example of buying a car. Hearing aids are pretty awesome!

The benefits of hearing aids, for most people, are more tangible than simply helping you hear. With a set of hearing aids, you can remain connected to the people in your life. You’ll have an easier time chatting with the clerk at the pharmacy, listening to a tale about dinosaurs at the dinner table with your grandchildren, and engaging in conversations with friends.

It’s only logical that you would want to make your hearing aids last as long as you can given all of the benefits. You want to keep those benefits going!

Do more expensive hearing aids work better?

Some people may assume that they can only get a quality hearing aid if they get the highest-priced device.

Hearing aids are certainly an investment. There’s a reason why some hearing aids are costly in the first place:

• Hearing aids are designed to contain very sophisticated technologies, and they have to make those technologies as small as possible. That means you’re paying for an extremely potent technological package.
• Hearing aids are also designed to last for a long time. Particularly if you take care of them.

But that doesn’t mean the most costly option will automatically work best. There are lots of factors to consider (including the degree of your hearing loss and, well, your budget!) Do some hearing aids last longer than others? Certainly! But the cost of the device isn’t always the deciding variable.

In order to keep your hearing aids in good working order, as with any other purchase, they will call for routine care and maintenance. Also, your hearing loss is unique to you and your hearing aids will have to be tuned to your exact requirements.

Be sure you get the right hearing aids for you

What options do you have? When it comes to hearing aids, you’ll have numerous different styles and kinds to choose from. We can help you identify which hearing aids will be best for your hearing requirements. Here are the choices you will have to choose from:

• Completely-in-the-Canal Hearing Aids (CIC): These types of hearing aids can deliver high-quality sound and are generally quite discrete (great for individuals who want to hide their hearing aids). But with this kind of hearing aid, battery life, and overall longevity is often shorter. The small size also means you won’t get some of the most sophisticated features.
• In-the-Canal Hearing Aids (ITC): These hearing aids are custom molded to fit your ear canal, which makes them mostly hidden. Because they’re slightly larger than CIC models, they may contain more high-tech features. These devices are still pretty small and some of the functions can be a bit hard to manipulate by hand. Still, ITC models are great for individuals who need more features but still want to remain discreet.
• In-the-Ear Hearing Aids: These hearing aids are also molded to your ears. No part of the hearing aid sits in your ear canal, it all fits in your outer ear. Two types are available (full shell, which fits the entirety of your ear, or half shell, which fits in the lower ear). These devices are more exposed but can include advanced and powerful microphones, making them a great option for noise control or complex hearing problems.
• Behind-the-Ear Hearing Aids (BTE): The speaker of this device fits in your ear and the more bulky electronic part sits behind your ear making them the best of both worlds in a way. The pieces are connected by a small tube, but in general, it’s fairly non-visible. These hearing aids provide many amplification options making them quite popular. When you want the best of both visibility and power, these devices will be the perfect choice.
• Receiving-in-the-Canal (or in the Ear) Hearing Aids (RIC or RITE): This is much like BTE hearing aids, except the speaker bit sits in the ear canal. They have the advantage of reducing wind noise and are usually less visible.
• Open-Fit Hearing Aids: Even when you’re using the device, low-frequency sounds can still get into the ear. This makes them suitable for individuals who can hear those low-frequencies fairly well (but have problems with high-frequency sounds). Though it works well for many individuals, it won’t be a good option for everybody.

Pros and Cons of over-the-counter hearing aids

Another possibility to think about is OTC or over-the-counter hearing aids. OTC hearing aids work okay in general, much like OTC medications. But it’s likely that OTC hearing aids won’t have the power you require if your hearing loss is more pronounced or complex. In general, OTC hearing aids can’t be specially calibrated to your hearing like prescription hearing aids can.

Regardless of what type of hearing aid you choose to purchase, it’s always a smart plan to talk to us about what might work best for your specific needs.

Maintenance and repair

Obviously, once you’ve gone to all the trouble to pick out your perfect hearing aid type, you should take care of it. Just like your car requires oil changes once in a while.

So, now you’re thinking: how frequently should my hearing aids be checked? Generally, you should schedule a routine maintenance and cleaning appointment for your hearing aids every six-to-twelve months. This gives you a chance to be certain everything’s working effectively and as it should!

It’s also a good idea to be somewhat familiar with your device’s warranty. You will save some cash when you are familiar with what is and isn’t covered. A good warranty and regular upkeep will help your hearing last as long as possible.

So… what’s the best hearing aid?

There isn’t a single best all-time hearing aid. Every hearing specialist might have a different model that they think is the best.

Which hearing aids fit your hearing loss needs will be the ones that are best for you. Some individuals will go for a minivan, others for an SUV. It all just depends, and the same is true for hearing aids.

But you will have an easier time choosing the hearing aid that’s best for you if you are well informed ahead of time. Schedule a hearing exam with us today!