Getting The Most From Your Hearing Aids

A car isn’t really an impulse purchase (unless you’re really wealthy). Which means you will most likely do a ton of research first. You have a good look at things like gas mileage, price point, and customer reviews. (You’re on Google a lot.) This amount of research is logical! For most people who aren’t rich, it will take a while to pay off the thousands of dollars you will spend. So you want to make certain your investment is well spent.

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 specific style of vehicle you really enjoy? Do you require a lot of space to carry things around? How fast do you want your car to be?

So you should take a close look at all of your options and make some informed choices so that you can get the most out of your purchase. And when you’re selecting new hearing aids, it’s important to have this same mindset. They’re still an investment even though they cost a lot less than a new car. And getting the most from your investment means determining which devices work best, overall, as well as what provides the most for your lifestyle.

Hearing aid benefits

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

Yes, they help your hearing, but for most people, the benefits are more tangible than that. Staying connected with your friends and family will be much easier with a good set of hearing aids. You’ll be able to better follow conversations at the dinner table, listen to your grandchildren tell you about fascinating dinosaurs, and converse with the cashier at the supermarket.

With all these benefits, it seems sensible that you’d start 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?

There might be some individuals out there who would assume that the most effective way to make your hearing aid work better and last longer is to just purchase the most expensive device they can.

Hearing aids are certainly an investment. Here are a couple of reasons why some hearing aids can be expensive:

• Hearing aids are made to contain very advanced technologies, and they have to make those technologies as tiny as possible. That means you’re paying for a very potent technological package.
• They’re made to be long-lasting. 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 profound your hearing loss is and, obviously, what you can afford are a couple of the variables to think about. Do some hearing aids last longer than others? Of Course! But the cost of the device isn’t always the deciding factor.

In order to keep your hearing aids in good working condition, as with any other purchase, they will require routine care and maintenance. What’s more, your hearing aids will have to be tuned to your ears and adjusted for your distinct level of hearing loss.

Get the proper hearing aids for your hearing loss

What choices do you have? When it comes to hearing aids, you’ll have numerous different styles and kinds to select from. You can work with us to figure out which ones are ideal for you and your hearing needs. Here are the solutions you will have to pick from:

• Completely-in-the-Canal Hearing Aids (CIC): These types of hearing aids can deliver high-quality sound and tend to be quite discrete (perfect for individuals who want to hide their hearing aids). But with this kind of hearing aid, battery life, and overall longevity is often shorter. 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 mostly discrete because they are molded to your ear canal. Because they’re a little larger than CIC models, they might include more high-tech functions. These devices are still rather small and some of the functions can be a bit tricky to manipulate by hand. Still, ITC models are great for individuals 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 sits in your outer ear. Two styles are available (full shell, which fits your whole ear, or half shell, which fits in the lower ear). If you have complex hearing problems or need more powerful noise control, the more sophisticated technology and larger microphones will make these hearing aids the perfect option.
• 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 little tube that connects the two parts is still rather discrete. These devices are popular because they provide many amplification options. 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 a lot like BTE hearing aids, except the speaker part sits in the ear canal. This makes them even less visible, with the added benefit of decreasing things like wind noise.
• Open-Fit Hearing Aids: Even when you’re using the device, low-frequency sounds can still get into the ear. This makes them suitable for individuals who can hear those low-frequencies fairly well (but have problems with high-frequency sounds). Though it works well for many people, it won’t be a good choice for everyone.

How about over-the-counter hearing aids?

Another option to think about is OTC or over-the-counter hearing aids. The trouble 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 particular hearing needs which is a feature generally not available with OTC hearing aids.

No matter what kind of hearing aid you decide to invest in, it’s always a smart plan to speak with us about what will work best for your specific requirements.

Upkeep and repair

After you decide on the ideal hearing aid for your hearing needs, taking care of it is crucial. This is, once again, like a car which also needs upkeep.

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!

It’s also a good idea to be somewhat familiar with your device’s warranty. You will save some cash when you are aware of what is and isn’t covered. 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 is 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 secret is to find the best hearing aid for you and for your needs. Some families will opt for a minivan, others for an SUV. It all just depends, and the same goes for hearing aids.

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. Contact us to schedule a consultation today!

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