Getting The Most Out of Your Hearing Aids

If you aren’t very wealthy, a car really isn’t an impulse buy. So a great deal of research is most likely the first step you take. You have a good look at things like gas mileage, overall price, and customer reviews. (You’re on Google a lot.) This level of research is logical! 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 it’s worth it!

You’ll be thinking about how your purchase best fits your lifestyle and also practical things such as 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 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 need to evaluate your options and make some decisions. And when you’re picking out new hearing aids, it’s important to have this same mindset. They won’t cost tens of thousands of dollars, but they are an investment. Identifying which device will best fit your lifestyle and which device works best in general, is the best way to get the most out of your investment.

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 discuss the benefits of hearing aids in a similarly general way. Hearing aids are pretty great!

The benefits of hearing aids, for most individuals, are more tangible than merely helping you hear. Staying involved with your family and friends will be much easier with a good set of hearing aids. You’ll have an easier time chatting with the clerk at the pharmacy, listening to a story about dinosaurs over dinner with your grandchildren, and enjoying conversations with friends.

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

Do more costly hearing aids work better?

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

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

• The technology inside of a hearing aid is very tiny and very state-of-the-art. That means you’re paying for an extremely potent technological package.
• Hearing aids are also made to last for a long time. If you take good care of them this is especially true.

But that doesn’t mean the most expensive option will automatically work best. How severe your hearing loss is and, of course, what you can afford are a couple of the variables to consider. Some hearing aids will certainly last longer than others. But the cost of the device isn’t always the deciding factor.

As with any other purchase, 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 programmed to your exact needs.

Be sure you get the right hearing aids for you

What options do you have? When it comes to hearing aids, you’ll have several different styles and types to pick from. You can work with us to determine which ones are the right choice for you and your hearing needs. Here are the options you will have to pick from:

• Completely-in-the-Canal Hearing Aids (CIC): These kinds of hearing aids can provide high-quality sound and are usually quite discrete (perfect for people who want to hide their hearing aids). The only trouble is that they tend to have a shorter longevity and battery life. The small size also means you won’t get some of the most sophisticated features.
• In-the-Canal Hearing Aids (ITC): These hearing aids are specifically molded to fit your ear canal, which makes them mostly discrete. They will often include more high-tech functions being a bit bigger than CIC models. These devices are still fairly small and some of the functions can be a bit difficult to manipulate by hand. If you want your hearing aid to be discrete but also include some sophisticated features, this style will be appropriate.
• 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 totally in your ear. These devices are more exposed but can contain advanced and powerful microphones, making them a great option for noise control or complex hearing issues.
• 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 parts is still rather discrete. These hearing aids 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 similar to BTE models. This makes them even less visible, with the added advantage of cutting down on things like wind noise.
• 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 individuals who can hear those low-frequencies pretty well (but have difficulty with high-frequency sounds). It’s not a good option for all forms of hearing loss, but it does work well for many people.

How about over-the-counter hearing aids?

Another option to think about is OTC or over-the-counter hearing aids. The problem is that OTC hearing aids are kind of like OTC medications, they work okay in a basic way. But it’s likely that OTC hearing aids won’t have the power you require if your hearing loss is more pronounced or complex. Prescription hearing aids can be fine-tuned 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 consult with us.

Upkeep and repair

Of course, once you’ve gone to all the trouble to select your perfect hearing aid type, you need to take care of it. Just like your car needs oil changes now and then.

So how often will your hearing aids need to be checked? You should have your hearing aid cleaned and properly maintained every six months to a year. This gives you an opportunity to make sure that everything is working effectively and as it should!

You should also get familiar with your warranty. You will save some cash when you are aware of what is and isn’t covered. A good warranty and regular upkeep 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. Every hearing specialist may have a different model that they think is the best.

The key is to find the best hearing aid for you and for your personal requirements. Some people will opt for a minivan, others for a sport utility vehicle. It all just depends, and the same is true for hearing aids.

But the more you understand ahead of time and the better informed you are, the easier it will be to find the hearing aids that are ideal for you. Contact us to schedule a consultation today!