Getting The Most From Your Hearing Aids

If you’re not very wealthy, a car really isn’t an impulse buy. 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. Google is your best friend these days. This amount of research makes sense! You’re about to drop tens of thousands of dollars on something and spend years paying for it (unless, again, you are really wealthy). So you want to be certain it’s worth it!

You’ll be considering how your purchase best suits your lifestyle and also practical things like safety, gas mileage, etc. Is there a particular type of vehicle you really like? How much room do you need for weekly groceries? How much pep do you need to feel when you push down that gas pedal?

So you need to have a close look at all of your possibilities and make some informed choices in order to get the most from your purchase. And when you’re picking out new hearing aids, it’s important to have this same attitude. They won’t cost tens of thousands of dollars, but they are an investment. And getting the most out of your investment means determining which devices work best, in general, as well as what delivers the most for your lifestyle.

Hearing aid advantages

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

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

With all these benefits, it stands to reason that you’d start to ask, “How can I make my hearing aids last longer?” You don’t want those benefits to stop.

Do more expensive hearing aids work better?

There may be some people out there who would assume that the best way to make your hearing aid work better and last longer is to simply purchase the most expensive device they can.

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

• The technology inside of a hearing aid is really tiny and very advanced. 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, your budget are a couple of the variables to consider. Do some hearing aids last longer than others? Sure! But the cost of the device isn’t always the deciding factor.

As with any other investment, hearing aids will need regular maintenance in order to keep working effectively. Also, your hearing loss is distinct to you and your hearing aids will need to be tuned to your specific requirements.

Make certain you get the right hearing aids for you

What options do you have? When it comes to hearing aids, you’ll have a number of different styles and types to choose from. We can help you determine which hearing aids will be best for your hearing needs. Here are the solutions you will have to choose from:

• Completely-in-the-Canal Hearing Aids (CIC): These types of hearing aids can provide high-quality sound and are generally quite discrete (perfect for individuals who want to hide their hearing aids). The only problem is that they tend to have a shorter lifespan and battery life. And some of the most sophisticated features are typically missing due to their smaller size.
• In-the-Canal Hearing Aids (ITC): These hearing aids are specifically molded to fit your ear canal, which makes them mostly discrete. Because they’re a bit larger than CIC models, they might include more high-tech features. Some of these features can be a little tricky to manipulate by hand (because the devices are still fairly small). Still, ITC models are great for people who need more features but still want to remain discreet.
• In-the-Ear Hearing Aids: These devices 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 the entirety of your ear, or half shell, which sits in the lower ear). These devices are more exposed but can contain sophisticated and powerful microphones, making them an excellent option for noise control or complex hearing conditions.
• Behind-the-Ear Hearing Aids (BTE): In a sense, BTE hearing aids are the best of both worlds. This type of hearing aid has one bit that sits in your ear (that’s the speaker) but moves all of the bulky electronics to a housing that goes behind your ear. The pieces are connected by a little tube, but for the most part, it’s pretty non-visible. These devices are popular because they offer many amplification solutions. 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 bit fits in the ear canal. They have the benefit of reducing wind noise and are generally less visible.
• Open-Fit Hearing Aids: Open-fit hearing aids will allow low-frequency sounds to enter the ear even while you’re using the device. This makes them suitable for people who can hear those low-frequencies pretty well (but have trouble with high-frequency sounds). Though it works well for many individuals, it won’t be a good option for everyone.

How about over-the-counter hearing aids?

Over-the-counter hearing aids (or OTC hearing aids, to keep inundating you with acronyms) are yet another option to consider. 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 need if your hearing loss is more pronounced or complex. Prescription hearing aids can be calibrated to your specific hearing needs which is an option generally not available with OTC hearing aids.

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

Maintenance and repair

After you choose the best hearing aid for your hearing requirements, taking care of it is crucial. This is, once again, like a car which also requires maintenance.

So how frequently will your hearing aids need to be checked? Generally, you should schedule a routine maintenance and cleaning appointment for your hearing aids every six-to-twelve months. This gives you a chance to be sure everything’s working properly 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 strong warranty and regular maintenance will help your hearing last as long as possible.

Is there a hearing aid that’s the best?

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

The secret is to find the best hearing aid for you and for your personal requirements. Just like with an automobile, for some an SUV will be the right choice, and for others, a minivan will best fit their lifestyles. 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 ahead of time. Schedule a hearing assessment with us today!