How to Get The Most Out of Your Hearing Aids

A car isn’t really an impulse purchase (unless you’re really wealthy). Which means you will most likely do a great deal of research ahead of time. You have a good look at things such as gas mileage, price point, and customer reviews. Google is your best friend right now. It is sensible to do this amount of research. 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 suits your lifestyle and also practical things like safety, gas mileage, etc. Is there a particular style of vehicle you really enjoy? Do you need a lot of room to carry things around? How fast do you want your car to be?

In other words, to get the most from your new car, you need to examine your options and make some choices. And when you’re picking out new hearing aids, it’s important to have this same attitude. They may not cost tens of thousands of dollars, but they’re still an investment. And getting the most from your investment means figuring out which devices work best, in general, as well as what delivers 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 general way. Hearing aids are a great investment!

Yes, they help your hearing, but for most people, the benefits are more tangible than that. With a set 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 story about dinosaurs at the dinner table with your grandkids, and enjoying conversations with friends.

It’s only logical that you would want to make your hearing aids last as long as possible given all of the benefits. You don’t want those benefits to stop.

Are higher quality hearing aids always more expensive?

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

Hearing aids are definitely an investment. Here are a couple of reasons why some hearing aids tend to be expensive:

• The technology inside of a hearing aid is very tiny and very sophisticated. So the package you’re paying for is very technologically potent.
• They’re designed to be long-lasting. If you take good care of them this is particularly true.

But that doesn’t mean the most expensive option will inevitably work best. There are a lot of factors 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 purchase, hearing aids will need regular maintenance in order to continue working effectively. Also, your hearing loss is unique to you and your hearing aids will need to be programmed to your exact requirements.

Get the appropriate hearing aids for your hearing loss

What options do you have? You’ll be able to choose from several different styles and types. We can help you figure out which hearing aids will be ideal for your hearing requirements. 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 hidden and also provide high-quality sound, these hearing aids will be the ideal choice. The only problem is that they tend to have a shorter lifespan and battery life. And some of the most modern features are usually missing because of their smaller size.
• In-the-Canal Hearing Aids (ITC): These hearing aids are mostly hidden because they are molded to fit your ear canal. They will typically contain more high-tech functions being slightly larger than CIC models. These devices are still pretty small and some of the functions can be a little hard to manipulate by hand. If you want your hearing aid to be discrete but also contain some advanced features, this style will be ideal.
• In-the-Ear Hearing Aids: These hearing aids are also molded to your ears. No part of the hearing aid sits in your ear canal, it all fits in your outer ear. Two types are available (full shell, which fits your whole ear, or half shell, which sits in the lower ear). These hearing aids are more exposed but can include advanced and powerful microphones, making them a great option for noise control or complex hearing problems.
• 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 pieces are connected by a small tube, but in general, it’s pretty non-visible. These hearing aids are popular because they provide many amplification options. These kinds are a good 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 similar to BTE models. They have the benefit of minimizing 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 using the device. If you have difficulty hearing higher frequencies but low-frequencies are not really a problem, 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.

What about over-the-counter hearing aids?

Another possibility to think about is OTC or over-the-counter hearing aids. OTC hearing aids work fine 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 calibrated to your hearing in the same way that prescription hearing aids can.

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

Maintenance and repair

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

So how often will your hearing aids need to be checked? Generally, you should schedule a routine upkeep and cleaning appointment for your hearing aids every six-to-twelve months. By doing this you can be certain everything is in good working order.

You should also become familiar with your warranty. If and when you require repair, knowing what’s covered by that warranty and what’s not can save you some cash! So now you’re wondering: how can I make my hearing aids last longer? The answer is usually simple: good upkeep and a great warranty.

Is there a hearing aid that’s the best?

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

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

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

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