Getting The Most Out of Your Hearing Aids

A car isn’t really an impulse purchase (unless you’re very, very wealthy). So a great deal of research is probably the first thing you do. You have a good look at things like gas mileage, overall price, and customer reviews. (You’re on Google a lot.) It makes sense to do this amount of research. You’re about to drop tens of thousands of dollars on something and spend years paying for it (unless, again, you are really wealthy). So you want to make sure your investment is well spent.

You’ll be thinking about how your purchase best fits your lifestyle and also practical things such as safety, gas mileage, etc. What style of vehicle do you want? How much room do you require for weekly supplies? How much pep do you want to feel when you push down that gas pedal?

In other words, to get the most from your new car, you have to examine your options and make some choices. And that’s the same mindset you should take when selecting your hearing aids. They’re still an investment even though they cost a lot less than a new car. And getting the most from your investment means determining which devices work best, overall, as well as what provides the most for your lifestyle.

Hearing aid benefits

In exactly the same way that you can talk about the benefits of a car in very general terms, you can also talk about the benefits of hearing aids in a similarly broad way. Hearing aids are pretty awesome!

The benefits of hearing aids, for most people, are more tangible than simply helping you hear. Staying involved with your family and friends will be much easier with a good pair of hearing aids. 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 enjoying conversations with friends.

With all these benefits, it stands to reason that you’d start to ask, “How can I make my hearing aids last longer?” You want to keep those benefits going!

Are higher quality hearing aids always more expensive?

Some individuals might think that they can only get a quality hearing aid if they get the highest-priced device.

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

• The technology inside of a hearing aid is really small and very state-of-the-art. That means you’re paying for an extremely potent technological package.
• They’re designed to be long-lasting. If you take good care of them this is particularly relevant.

But the most costly model won’t necessarily be your best fit or work the best. How severe your hearing loss is and, obviously, what you can afford are a couple of the factors to consider. Some hearing aids will definitely last longer than others. But the price of the device isn’t always the deciding factor.

As with any other investment, hearing aids will need regular maintenance in order to keep working properly. What’s more, your hearing aids will need to be calibrated to your ears and calibrated for your specific level of hearing loss.

Be sure you get the best hearing aids for you

So, what are your choices? When it comes to hearing aids, you’ll have numerous different styles and kinds to choose from. You can work with us to figure out which ones are best for you and your hearing needs. But in general, here’s what you’ll have to select from:

• Completely-in-the-Canal Hearing Aids (CIC): These kinds of hearing aids can deliver high-quality sound and tend to be very discrete (great for people 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 functions.
• In-the-Canal Hearing Aids (ITC): These hearing aids are mostly hidden because they are molded to your ear canal. Because they’re a little larger than CIC models, they may include more high-tech functions. Some of these features can be somewhat tricky to manipulate by hand (because the devices are still fairly small). If you want your hearing aid to be discrete but also include some sophisticated features, this type will be ideal.
• In-the-Ear Hearing Aids: These hearing aids are also molded to your ears. No part of the device sits inside 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 sits in the lower ear). These devices are more exposed but can contain sophisticated and powerful microphones, making them an excellent choice for noise control or complex hearing issues.
• Behind-the-Ear Hearing Aids (BTE): The speaker of this device sits in your ear and the more bulky electronic part sits behind your ear making them the best of both worlds in a way. The little tube that connects the two parts is still fairly discrete. These hearing aids provide many amplification choices making them quite popular. These types are a great compromise between power and visibility.
• Receiving-in-the-Canal (or in the Ear) Hearing Aids (RIC or RITE): With this design, the speaker part sits in the ear canal but they are otherwise similar to BTE models. They have the advantage of reducing wind noise and are generally less visible.
• Open-Fit Hearing Aids: Open-fit hearing aids tend to let low-frequency sounds enter the ear even while you’re using the device. If you have trouble hearing higher frequencies but low-frequencies aren’t really an issue, these hearing aids will be a good fit for you. It’s not a good choice for all forms of hearing loss, but it does work well for many people.

Pros and Cons of over-the-counter hearing aids

Another possibility to think about is OTC or over-the-counter hearing aids. The trouble is that OTC hearing aids are sort of like OTC medications, they work fine in a general way. But it’s likely that OTC hearing aids won’t have the power you need if your hearing loss is more advanced or complex. In general, OTC hearing aids can’t be specially calibrated to your hearing like prescription hearing aids can.

The best way to figure out what type of hearing aid will be best for you, you should talk with us.

Repair and maintenance

After you choose the ideal hearing aid for your hearing requirements, taking care of it is crucial. Just like your car requires oil changes now and then.

So, now you’re thinking: how often should my hearing aids be assessed? You should have your hearing aid cleaned and maintained every six months to a year. This gives you a chance to make sure everything’s working effectively and as it should!

You should also become familiar with your warranty. You will save some cash when you are aware of what is and isn’t covered. So now you’re wondering: how can I make my hearing aids last longer? The answer is usually simple: good upkeep and a strong warranty.

Is there a hearing aid that’s the best?

There isn’t a single greatest all-time hearing aid. If you go to see twelve different hearing specialists and ask for the “best” hearing aid, they might provide you with a dozen different models.

The key is to choose the best hearing aid for you and for your personal requirements. Some individuals will go with a minivan, others for a sport utility vehicle. The same goes with hearing aids, it all depends on your situation.

But the more you understand ahead of time and the better informed you are, the easier it will be to get the hearing aids that are perfect for you. Schedule a hearing assessment with us today!

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