Getting The Most Out of Your Hearing Aids

If you’re not really rich, a car isn’t really an impulse purchase. Which means you will most likely do a ton of research first. You take a good look at things such as gas mileage, price point, and customer reviews. (You’re on Google a lot.) It is sensible to do this level of research. For most individuals who aren’t wealthy, it will take a while to pay off the thousands of dollars you will spend. So you want to make sure it’s worth it!

You’ll be thinking about how your purchase best suits your lifestyle and also practical things such as safety, gas mileage, etc. Is there a specific style of vehicle you really enjoy? How much room do you need for weekly groceries? How fast do you want your car to be?

Put another way, to get the most out of your new car, you need to evaluate your options and make some choices. And when you’re picking out new hearing aids, it’s important to have this same mindset. They’re still an investment even though they cost much less than a new car. Identifying which device will fit your lifestyle best and which device works best overall, is the best way to get the most from your investment.

The advantages of hearing aids

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

Yes, they help you hear, but for most people, the benefits are more tangible than that. Staying connected with your friends and family will be much easier with a good set of hearing aids. You’ll be able to more easily follow conversations at the dinner table, listen to your grandchildren tell you about cool dinosaurs, and chit-chat with the cashier at the supermarket.

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 don’t want those benefits to stop.

Are higher quality hearing aids always more expensive?

Some people might think 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 devices are costly in the first place:

• Hearing aids are made to include very state-of-the-art technologies, and they have to make those technologies as small as possible. That means you’re purchasing a very potent technological package.
• Hearing aids are also made to last for a long time. If you take good care of them this is particularly true.

But the most expensive model won’t automatically be your best fit or work the best. How severe your hearing loss is and, of course, your budget are a couple of the variables to think about. Some hearing aids will definitely last longer than others. But that isn’t always dictated by how costly the device was in the first place.

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

Make certain you get the best hearing aids for you

So, what are your options? You’ll be able to choose from several different styles and types. You can work with us to determine which ones are ideal for you and your hearing needs. Here are the solutions you will have to choose from:

• Completely-in-the-Canal Hearing Aids (CIC): For individuals who want their hearing aids to be hidden and also provide high-quality sound, these hearing aids will be the best choice. But with this kind of hearing aid, battery life, and overall lifespan tends to be shorter. The small size also means you don’t get some of the most modern features.
• In-the-Canal Hearing Aids (ITC): These hearing aids are custom molded to your ear canal, which makes them mostly hidden. They will often contain more high-tech features being a little bigger than CIC models. Some of these functions can be somewhat tricky to adjust by hand (because the devices are still quite small). If you want your hearing aid to be discrete but also have some advanced features, this style will be appropriate.
• In-the-Ear Hearing Aids: This style of hearing aid is molded to fit entirely inside your outer ear. A “half shell” version fits in your lower ear and a “full shell” version fits completely inside your ear. If you have complex hearing issues or need more powerful noise control, the more sophisticated technology and larger microphones will make these hearing aids a great option.
• Behind-the-Ear Hearing Aids (BTE): The speaker of this device fits in your ear and the more bulky electronic part goes behind your ear making them the best of both worlds in a way. The little tube that connects the two elements is still pretty discrete. These devices are popular because they provide many amplification choices. 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 model, the speaker part fits in the ear canal but they are otherwise a lot like BTE models. This makes them even less visible, with the added benefit of reducing things like wind noise.
• Open-Fit Hearing Aids: Open-fit hearing aids will let low-frequency sounds enter the ear even while you’re using the device. This makes them a good fit for individuals who can hear those low-frequencies fairly well (but have trouble with high-frequency sounds). It’s not a good option for all types of hearing loss, but it does work well for many people.

How about 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 okay in a basic sense. But if your hearing loss calls for a set of more powerful hearing aids or more specialized hearing aids, OTC devices might fall somewhat short. Generally, OTC hearing aids can’t be specifically programmed to your hearing in the same way that prescription hearing aids can.

Regardless of what kind of hearing aid you choose to purchase, it’s always a good plan to talk to us about what might work best for your particular requirements.

Repair and maintenance

Of course, once you’ve gone to all the trouble to select your perfect hearing aid type, you should take care of it. This is, once again, like a car which also requires upkeep.

So, now you’re thinking: how often should my hearing aids be checked? You should get your hearing aid cleaned and maintained every six months to a year. This gives you an opportunity to be certain 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. A good warranty and regular maintenance will help your hearing last as long as possible.

So… what’s the best hearing aid?

There’s no single best hearing aid. Every hearing specialist might have a different model that they think is the best.

Which hearing aids match your hearing loss needs will be the ones that are best for you. Just like with an automobile, for some an SUV will be the right choice, and for others, a minivan will best fit their lifestyles. The same is true for hearing aids, it just depends on your specific situation.

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