Getting The Most From Your Hearing Aids

If you’re not really rich, a car isn’t really an impulse purchase. Which means you will probably do a lot of research first. You check out reviews, you assess prices, and you evaluate gas mileage. Google is your best friend right now. This level of research makes sense! For most individuals who aren’t rich, it will take a while to pay off the thousands of dollars you will spend. So you want to make sure your investment is well spent.

You’ll be considering how your purchase best fits your lifestyle and also practical things such as safety, gas mileage, etc. What style of vehicle do you 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 take a close look at all of your options and make some informed decisions in order to get the most out of your investment. And that’s the same mindset you should have when choosing your hearing aids. They’re still an investment even though they cost much less than a new car. And getting the most from your investment means figuring out which devices work best, overall, as well as what provides the most for your lifestyle.

Hearing aid advantages

In just 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 great!

Yes, they help you hear, but for most people, the advantages are more tangible than that. With a pair of hearing aids, you can stay involved with 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 enjoying conversations with friends.

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

Do more costly hearing aids work better?

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

And, to be sure, hearing aids are an investment. There’s a reason why some devices are expensive in the first place:

• Hearing aids are made to contain very state-of-the-art technologies, and they need to make those technologies as tiny as possible. So the package you’re purchasing is very technologically potent.
• Hearing aids are also designed to last for quite a while. Especially if you take care of them.

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

In order to keep your hearing aids in tip-top working order, as with any other purchase, they will need regular care and maintenance. Also, your hearing loss is unique to you and your hearing aids will need to be programmed to your exact requirements.

Make certain you get the correct hearing aids for you

So, what are your options? You’ll be able to pick from numerous different types and styles. 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): For individuals who want their hearing aids to be discrete and also deliver high-quality sound, these hearing aids will be the ideal choice. The only trouble is that they tend to have a shorter longevity and battery life. And some of the most state-of-the-art features are usually missing because of their smaller size.
• In-the-Canal Hearing Aids (ITC): These hearing aids are specifically molded to your ear canal, which makes them mostly hidden. They will typically have more high-tech functions being a bit bigger than CIC models. These devices are still fairly small and some of the features can be a little tricky to manipulate by hand. Still, ITC models are ideal for individuals who need more features but still want to be discreet.
• In-the-Ear Hearing Aids: These devices are also molded to your ears. No part of the device sits in your ear canal, it all sits in your outer ear. A “half shell” version sits in your lower ear and a “full shell” version fits entirely in your ear. These devices are more visible but can include advanced and powerful microphones, making them an excellent option for noise control or complex hearing problems.
• 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 elements is still rather discrete. These devices are popular because they provide many amplification options. These kinds are a good compromise between visibility and power.
• Receiving-in-the-Canal (or in the Ear) Hearing Aids (RIC or RITE): With this model, the speaker part sits in the ear canal but they are otherwise a lot like BTE models. They have the advantage of reducing wind noise and are usually less visible.
• Open-Fit Hearing Aids: Open-fit hearing aids tend to allow low-frequency sounds to enter the ear even while you’re hearing the device. This makes them suitable for people who can hear those low-frequencies pretty well (but have problems with high-frequency sounds). It’s not a good choice for all types of hearing loss, but it does work well for many people.

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 sort of like OTC medications, they work okay in a general sense. But if your hearing loss calls for a pair of more powerful hearing aids or more specialized hearing aids, OTC devices could fall somewhat short. 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 figure out 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, again, like a car which also needs upkeep.

So, now you’re thinking: how frequently should my hearing aids be checked? You should have your hearing aid cleaned and properly maintained every six months to a year. By doing this you can be sure everything is in good working order.

It’s also a good idea to be fairly familiar with your device’s warranty. You will save some cash when you are familiar with what is and isn’t covered. So now you’re wondering: how do I make my hearing aids last longer? The answer is usually simple: good maintenance and a great warranty.

So… what is the best hearing aid?

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

The key is to choose the best hearing aid for you and for your needs. Some people will go with a minivan, others for an SUV. The same is true with hearing aids, it all depends on your situation.

But the more you know beforehand and the better informed you are, the easier it will be to get the hearing aids that are ideal for you. Give us a call to schedule a consultation today!