Getting The Most From Your Hearing Aids

If you’re not really rich, a car isn’t really an impulse buy. Which means you will most likely do a lot of research ahead of time. You check out reviews, you compare prices, and you consider gas mileage. (You’re on Google a lot.) This amount of research makes sense! You’re about to spend 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!

Not only do you look at the concrete factors (gas mileage, safety, etc), but you’ll also think about best fits for your lifestyle. Is there a specific type of vehicle you really like? Do you need a lot of space to carry things around? How much pep 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 examine your options and make some decisions. And when you’re selecting new hearing aids, it’s important to have this same attitude. They’re still an investment although they cost a lot less than a new car. Figuring out which device will fit your lifestyle best and which device works best overall, is the best way to get the most out of your investment.

Hearing aid advantages

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

The benefits of hearing aids, for most individuals, are more tangible than just helping you hear. With a pair of hearing aids, you can stay connected to the people in your life. You’ll have an easier time chatting with the clerk at the pharmacy, listening to a story about dinosaurs over dinner 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.

Do more costly hearing aids work better?

There might 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 purchase the most expensive device possible.

And, to be sure, hearing aids are an investment. Here are a couple of reasons why some hearing aids can be expensive:

• The technology inside of a hearing aid is very small 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 especially true.

But the most costly model won’t automatically be your best fit or work the best. There are a lot of variables to think about (including the degree of your hearing loss and, well, your budget!) 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.

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

Make certain you get the best 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 select from. You can work with us to determine which ones are the right choice for you and your hearing needs. 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 deliver high-quality sound, these hearing aids will be the ideal choice. But with this kind of hearing aid, battery life, and overall longevity is usually shorter. 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 mostly discrete because they are molded to fit your ear canal. Because they’re a little larger than CIC models, they might include more high-tech functions. Some of these features can be somewhat tricky to manipulate by hand (because the devices are still fairly small). Even still, ITC models are ideal 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 fits in your outer ear. A “half shell” version fits in your lower ear and a “full shell” version fits entirely inside your ear. If you have complex hearing issues 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 sits in your ear and the more bulky electronic part sits behind your ear making them the best of both worlds in a way. The two parts are connected by a little tube, but in general, it’s fairly non-visible. These devices are popular because they offer 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): This is a lot like BTE hearing aids, except the speaker bit sits in the ear canal. 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 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 are not really an issue, these hearing aids will be a good fit for you. Though it works well for many people, it won’t be a good choice for everyone.

Pros and Cons of over-the-counter hearing aids

Another possibility to think about is OTC or over-the-counter hearing aids. The difficulty is that OTC hearing aids are sort of like OTC medications, they work okay in a basic sense. 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 a feature generally not available with OTC hearing aids.

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

Repair and upkeep

Of course, once you’ve taken all of the steps to select your perfect hearing aid type, you need to take care of it. This is, again, like a car which also requires upkeep.

So, now you’re thinking: how frequently should my hearing aids be assessed? You should get your hearing aid cleaned and maintained every six months to a year. By doing this you can be sure everything is in good working condition.

You should also get familiar with your warranty. If and when you require repair, knowing what’s covered by that warranty and what isn’t can save you some cash! A strong warranty and regular maintenance will help your hearing last as long as possible.

So… what’s the best hearing aid?

There is no single best all-time hearing aid. Every hearing specialist may have a different model that they feel is the best.

The key is to find the best hearing aid for you and for your personal requirements. Some families will go for a minivan, others for an SUV. The same goes for hearing aids, it just depends on your specific situation.

But the more you know beforehand and the better informed you are, the easier it will be to find the hearing aids that are ideal for you. Give us a call to schedule a consultation today!