Getting The Most From Your Hearing Aids

If you’re not really rich, a car isn’t really an impulse purchase. So a lot of research is most likely the first thing you do. You take a good look at things like gas mileage, price point, and customer reviews. Google is your best friend these days. This amount of research makes sense! For most people who aren’t wealthy, it will take a long time to pay off the thousands of dollars you will spend. So you want to make sure your investment is well spent.

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. Is there a specific type of vehicle you really like? How much room do you need for weekly groceries? How fast do you want your car to be?

Put another way, to get the most out of your new car, you have to evaluate your options and make some decisions. And that’s the same attitude you should take when selecting your hearing aids. They may not 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 benefits

In just the same way that you can discuss 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!

The benefits of hearing aids, for most people, are more tangible than simply helping you hear. Staying involved with your family and friends will be much easier with a good pair of hearing aids. You’ll be able to more easily follow conversations at the dinner table, listen to your grandkids tell you about cool dinosaurs, and converse with the checkout clerk at the supermarket.

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

Are higher quality hearing aids always more costly?

There may be some individuals out there who would presume that the best way to make your hearing aid work better and last longer is to just buy the most high priced device they can.

And, to be sure, hearing aids can be an investment. There’s a reason why some hearing aids 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. That means you’re purchasing an extremely potent technological package.
• They’re made to be long-lasting. Especially if you take care of them.

But that doesn’t mean the most expensive option will inevitably work best. How severe your hearing loss is and, obviously, what you can afford are a couple of the factors to think about. Some hearing aids will undoubtedly last longer than others. But that isn’t always determined by how expensive the device was in the first place.

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

Get the correct hearing aids for your hearing loss

What choices do you have? When it comes to hearing aids, you’ll have numerous different styles and types to pick from. We can help you identify which hearing aids will be best for your hearing needs. But in general, here’s what you’ll have to select from:

• Completely-in-the-Canal Hearing Aids (CIC): For people who want their hearing aids to be discrete and also provide high-quality sound, these hearing aids will be the best choice. The only trouble is that they tend to have a shorter longevity and battery life. And some of the most sophisticated functions tend to be missing due to their smaller size.
• In-the-Canal Hearing Aids (ITC): These hearing aids are mostly discrete because they are molded to your ear canal. Because they’re a little larger than CIC models, they might contain more high-tech functions. These devices are still rather small and some of the functions can be a bit difficult to manipulate by hand. Still, ITC models are ideal for people who require 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 hearing aid sits in your ear canal, it all fits in your outer ear. A “half shell” version sits in your lower ear and a “full shell” version fits totally in your 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 parts is still rather discrete. These devices are popular because they offer many amplification options. When you want the best of both visibility and power, these devices will be the best choice.
• Receiving-in-the-Canal (or in the Ear) Hearing Aids (RIC or RITE): This is a lot like BTE hearing aids, except the speaker bit fits in the ear canal. They have the advantage of reducing wind noise and are generally less visible.
• Open-Fit Hearing Aids: Open-fit hearing aids will let low-frequency sounds enter the ear even while you’re using the device. If you have problems hearing higher frequencies but low-frequencies aren’t really an issue, these hearing aids will be a great fit for you. Though it works well for many individuals, it won’t be a good choice for everyone.

Pros and Cons of over-the-counter hearing aids

Over-the-counter hearing aids (or OTC hearing aids, to keep inundating you with acronyms) are yet another alternative to think about. OTC hearing aids work okay in general, much like OTC medications. But if your hearing loss warrants a pair of more powerful hearing aids or more specialized hearing aids, OTC devices might fall somewhat short. Prescription hearing aids can be calibrated to your particular hearing needs which is an option generally not provided by OTC hearing aids.

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 best hearing aid for your hearing needs, taking care of it is crucial. Just like your car needs oil changes now and then.

So how frequently will your hearing aids need to be assessed? 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.

You should also get 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 money! 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 is no single greatest all-time hearing aid. If you go to see twelve different hearing specialists and request 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 families will opt for a minivan, others for a sport utility vehicle. The same is true for hearing aids, it just depends on your situation.

But the more you understand beforehand and the better informed you are, the easier it will be to find the hearing aids that are ideal for you. Schedule a hearing exam with us today!

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