Getting The Most Out of Your Hearing Aids

If you’re not very wealthy, a car really isn’t an impulse buy. So a great deal of research is most likely the first thing you do. You take a good look at things such as gas mileage, price point, and customer reviews. Google is your best friend right now. It makes sense to do this amount of research. For most people who aren’t wealthy, 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!

Not only do you consider the concrete factors (gas mileage, safety, etc), but you’ll also think about best fits for your lifestyle. What type of vehicle do you enjoy? Do you need a lot of space to carry things around? How fast do you want your car to be?

In other words, to get the most out of your new car, you have to evaluate your options and make some decisions. And that’s the same mindset you should have when selecting your hearing aids. They’re still an investment even though they cost a lot less than a new car. And getting the most out of your investment means figuring out which devices work best, overall, as well as what provides the most for your lifestyle.

Hearing aid benefits

In just 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 broad way. Hearing aids are pretty awesome!

Yes, they help you hear, but for most individuals, the benefits are more tangible than that. With a pair of hearing aids, you can remain involved with the people in your life. You’ll have an easier time chatting with the clerk at the pharmacy, listening to a story about dinosaurs at the dinner table with your grandkids, and enjoying conversations with friends.

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

Do more expensive hearing aids work better?

There may 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 buy 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:

• The technology inside of a hearing aid is really small and very state-of-the-art. That means you’re getting an extremely 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 costly option will inevitably 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 definitely last longer than others. But that isn’t always dictated by how costly the device was in the first place.

As with any other investment, hearing aids will need regular maintenance in order to continue working properly. Also, your hearing loss is unique to you and your hearing aids will have to be programmed to your specific requirements.

Get the correct hearing aids for your hearing loss

What options do you have? You’ll be able to pick from several different styles and types. We can help you figure out which hearing aids will be best for your hearing needs. Here are the solutions you will have to pick from:

• Completely-in-the-Canal Hearing Aids (CIC): For people who want their hearing aids to be hidden and also deliver high-quality sound, these hearing aids will be the best choice. But with this kind of hearing aid, battery life, and overall longevity is usually shorter. The small size also means you don’t get some of the most modern functions.
• In-the-Canal Hearing Aids (ITC): These hearing aids are mostly hidden because they are molded to fit your ear canal. Because they’re a little larger than CIC models, they might contain more high-tech functions. These devices are still pretty small and some of the functions can be a little difficult to manipulate by hand. Still, ITC models are great for individuals who require more features but still want to be discreet.
• In-the-Ear Hearing Aids: This style of hearing aid is molded to fit entirely in your outer ear. Two styles are available (full shell, which fits your whole ear, or half shell, which sits in the lower ear). These devices are more exposed but can contain advanced and powerful microphones, making them an excellent choice 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 goes 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. When you want the best of both visibility and power, these devices will be the best option.
• Receiving-in-the-Canal (or in the Ear) Hearing Aids (RIC or RITE): With this model, the speaker part fits in the ear canal but they are otherwise a lot like BTE models. They have the advantage of minimizing wind noise and are generally less visible.
• Open-Fit Hearing Aids: Even when you’re wearing the device, low-frequency sounds can still get into the ear. This makes them suitable for people who can hear those low-frequencies fairly well (but have problems with high-frequency sounds). It isn’t a good choice for all forms of hearing loss, but it does work well for many people.

What about over-the-counter hearing aids?

Over-the-counter hearing aids (or OTC hearing aids, to keep flooding you with acronyms) are yet another alternative to consider. The difficulty is that OTC hearing aids are sort of like OTC medications, they work okay in a basic sense. But if your hearing loss calls for a set of more powerful hearing aids or more specialized hearing aids, OTC devices could fall a bit short. In general, OTC hearing aids can’t be specifically tuned to your hearing like prescription hearing aids can.

No matter what kind of hearing aid you decide to purchase, it’s always a good idea to consult us about what might work best for your particular needs.

Upkeep and repair

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

So, now you’re thinking: how frequently should my hearing aids be assessed? Generally, you should schedule a routine maintenance and cleaning appointment for your hearing aids every six-to-twelve months. This gives you an opportunity to be certain everything’s working effectively and as it should!

You should also become 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 money! A good warranty and regular upkeep will help your hearing last as long as possible.

So… what is the best hearing aid?

There isn’t a single greatest all-time 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 key is to find the best hearing aid for you and for your needs. Some families will go with a minivan, others for an SUV. It all just depends, and the same goes for hearing aids.

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

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