Getting The Most From Your Hearing Aids

A car isn’t really an impulse buy (unless you’re very, very rich). Which means you will most likely do a great deal of research ahead of time. You look at reviews, you assess prices, and you consider gas mileage. (You’re on Google a lot.) It makes sense to do this amount of research. For most individuals who aren’t rich, it will take a long time to pay off the thousands of dollars you’re about to spend. So you want to make sure it’s worth it!

You’ll be considering how your purchase best fits your lifestyle and also practical things such as safety, gas mileage, etc. Is there a specific style of vehicle you really like? Do you require a lot of room to carry supplies around? How much power do you need to feel when you push down that accelerator?

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

The benefits of hearing aids

The example of the benefits of purchasing hearing aids can be broadly compared with the example of purchasing a car. Hearing aids are a great investment!

Yes, they help your hearing, but for most people, the advantages are more tangible than that. With a set of hearing aids, you can remain connected to the people in your life. You’ll be able to more easily follow conversations at the dinner table, listen to your grandkids tell you about fascinating dinosaurs, and converse with the cashier at the supermarket.

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

Are higher quality hearing aids always more expensive?

Some people may assume that they can only get a quality hearing aid if they get the most expensive device.

And, to be certain, hearing aids can be an investment. Here are a couple of reasons why some hearing aids can be expensive:

• Hearing aids are designed to include very state-of-the-art technologies, and they need to make those technologies as tiny as possible. So the package you’re paying for is very technologically potent.
• Hearing aids are also designed to last for a long time. If you take good care of them this is particularly true.

But the most costly model won’t necessarily be your best fit or work the best. There are a lot of variables to consider (including the degree of your hearing loss and, well, how much you can spend!) Do some hearing aids last longer than others? Sure! But that isn’t always determined by how costly the device was in the first place.

As with any other investment, hearing aids will require regular maintenance in order to keep working properly. Also, your hearing loss is unique to you and your hearing aids will have to be programmed to your specific requirements.

Make certain you get the correct hearing aids for you

So, what are your choices? You’ll be able to pick from numerous different styles and types. We can help you identify which hearing aids will be ideal for your hearing needs. But in general, here’s what you’ll have to select from:

• Completely-in-the-Canal Hearing Aids (CIC): These types of hearing aids can provide high-quality sound and are generally quite discrete (great for people who want to hide their hearing aids). But with this kind of hearing aid, battery life, and overall longevity tends to be shorter. The small size also means you don’t get some of the most sophisticated features.
• In-the-Canal Hearing Aids (ITC): These hearing aids are mostly discrete because they are molded to fit your ear canal. They will often contain more high-tech functions being slightly larger than CIC models. These devices are still rather small and some of the features can be a little hard to manipulate by hand. Still, ITC models are ideal for individuals who require more features but still want to remain discreet.
• In-the-Ear Hearing Aids: This type of hearing aid is molded to fit completely inside your outer ear. Two styles are available (full shell, which fits your whole ear, or half shell, which sits in the lower ear). These devices are more exposed but can include sophisticated and powerful microphones, making them an excellent choice for noise control or complex hearing issues.
• Behind-the-Ear Hearing Aids (BTE): In a sense, BTE hearing aids are the best of both worlds. This style of device has one bit that sits in your ear (that’s the speaker) but transfers all of the bulky electronics to a housing that sits behind your ear. The two parts are connected by a small tube, but for the most part, it’s fairly non-visible. These hearing aids offer many amplification options making them quite popular. When you want the best of both power and visibility, 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 part sits in the ear canal. They have the advantage of reducing wind noise and are generally less visible.
• Open-Fit Hearing Aids: Even when you’re wearing the device, low-frequency sounds can still get into the ear. 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. Though it works well for many people, it won’t be a good option for everybody.

What about over-the-counter hearing aids?

Over-the-counter hearing aids (or OTC hearing aids, to keep flooding you with acronyms) are yet another alternative to think about. The problem is that OTC hearing aids are kind of like OTC medications, they work okay in a basic sense. But it’s likely that OTC hearing aids won’t have the power you need if your hearing loss is more pronounced or complex. Prescription hearing aids can be fine-tuned to your specific hearing needs which is a feature generally not provided by OTC hearing aids.

The best way to determine what type of hearing aid will be best for you, you should consult with us.

Repair and maintenance

Obviously, once you’ve taken all of the steps to select your perfect hearing aid type, you should take care of it. This is, once again, like a car which also needs maintenance.

So how frequently will your hearing aids need to be assessed? In general, you should schedule a routine maintenance and cleaning appointment for your hearing aids every six-to-twelve months. 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 money 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.

So… what’s the best hearing aid?

There’s no single best hearing aid. If you go to see twelve different hearing specialists and ask for the “best” hearing aid, they may provide you with twelve different models.

The key is to find the best hearing aid for you and for your needs. Some people will opt for a minivan, others for an SUV. It all just depends, and the same goes for hearing aids.

But you will have an easier time choosing the hearing aid that’s right for you if you are well informed beforehand. Contact us to schedule a consultation today!