Getting The Most Out of Your Hearing Aids

A car isn’t really an impulse buy (unless you’re very, very wealthy). So a lot of research is most likely the first step you take. You look at reviews, you assess prices, and you consider gas mileage. (You’re on Google a lot.) This amount of research makes sense! For most people who aren’t wealthy, it will take a while to pay off the thousands of dollars you will spend. So you want to be certain it’s worth it!

Not only do you look at the concrete factors (gas mileage, safety, etc), but you’ll also give thought to best fits for your lifestyle. What style of vehicle do you like? Do you need a lot of room to carry supplies around? How much power do you need to feel when you press down that gas pedal?

Put another way, to get the most out of your new car, you have to examine your options and make some choices. And that’s the same attitude you should take when selecting your hearing aids. They won’t cost tens of thousands of dollars, but they’re still an investment. 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 investing in hearing aids can be broadly compared with the example of buying a car. Hearing aids are pretty great!

The advantages of hearing aids, for most individuals, are more tangible than merely helping you hear. Staying connected with your family and friends will be a lot 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.

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!

Are higher quality hearing aids always more costly?

There might be some individuals out there who would assume that the best way to make your hearing aid work better and last longer is to simply buy the most high priced device possible.

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

• Hearing aids are made to contain very sophisticated 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 quite a while. If you take good care of them this is especially relevant.

But the most expensive 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 variables to think about. Some hearing aids will certainly last longer than others. But that isn’t always dictated by how costly the device was in the first place.

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

Make certain you get the right hearing aids for you

So, what are your options? When it comes to hearing aids, you’ll have a number of different styles and kinds to select from. We can help you determine which hearing aids will be ideal for your hearing requirements. Here are the choices you will have to choose 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 best choice. The only problem is that they tend to have a shorter longevity and battery life. And some of the most sophisticated features tend to be missing because of their smaller size.
• In-the-Canal Hearing Aids (ITC): These hearing aids are mostly hidden because they are molded to your ear canal. They will typically have more high-tech functions being slightly bigger than CIC models. Some of these functions can be somewhat tricky to adjust by hand (because the devices are still rather small). If you want your hearing aid to be discrete but also contain some advanced functions, this style will be ideal.
• In-the-Ear Hearing Aids: This type of hearing aid is molded to sit entirely 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). If you have complex hearing issues or need more powerful noise control, the more advanced technology and larger microphones will make these hearing aids a great choice.
• 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 small tube that connects the two elements is still pretty 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): This is a lot like BTE hearing aids, except the speaker part fits in the ear canal. This makes them even less visible, with the added benefit of cutting down on things like wind noise.
• Open-Fit Hearing Aids: Even when you’re wearing the device, low-frequency sounds can still get into the ear. If you have difficulty hearing higher frequencies but low-frequencies aren’t really a problem, these hearing aids will be a great fit for you. It’s not a good option for all forms of hearing loss, but it does work well for many individuals.

Pros and Cons of over-the-counter hearing aids

Another option 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 advanced or complex. In general, OTC hearing aids can’t be specifically tuned 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 decide on the ideal hearing aid for your hearing needs, taking care of it is crucial. This is, again, like a car which also requires maintenance.

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

You should also get familiar with your warranty. If and when you require repair, knowing what’s covered by that warranty and what isn’t can save you some cash! 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’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 might provide you with a dozen different models.

The key is to find the best hearing aid for you and for your personal requirements. Some families will go for a minivan, others for a sport utility vehicle. The same is true with hearing aids, it just depends on your specific situation.

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

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