Getting The Most From Your Hearing Aids

If you’re not very wealthy, a car isn’t really an impulse purchase. So a lot of research is probably the first thing you do. You have a good look at things such as gas mileage, price point, and customer reviews. Google is your best friend right now. This level of research makes sense! For most individuals who aren’t rich, it will take a while to pay off the thousands of dollars you’re about to spend. So you want to make sure your investment is well spent.

Not only do you look at the objective factors (gas mileage, safety, etc), but you’ll also think about best fits for your lifestyle. Is there a particular style of vehicle you really enjoy? How much room do you require for weekly supplies? How much power do you want to feel when you press down that gas pedal?

So you need to have a close look at all of your options and make some informed choices so that you can get the most out of your investment. And when you’re picking out new hearing aids, it’s important to have this same mindset. They may not cost tens of thousands of dollars, but they are an investment. And getting the most from your investment means figuring out which devices work best, in general, as well as what delivers the most for your lifestyle.

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 a wonderful investment!

Yes, they help you hear, 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 pair 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 grandkids, and enjoying conversations with friends.

With all these benefits, it seems sensible 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 think that they can only get a quality hearing aid if they get the most expensive device.

Hearing aids are certainly an investment. There’s a reason why some devices are costly in the first place:

• Hearing aids are made to include very sophisticated technologies, and they have to make those technologies as tiny as possible. That means you’re getting a very potent technological package.
• Hearing aids are also made to last for quite a while. Especially if you take care of them.

But that doesn’t mean the most expensive option will automatically work best. There are lots of factors to consider (including the degree of your hearing loss and, well, your budget!) Some hearing aids will certainly last longer than others. But that isn’t always determined by how costly the device was in the first place.

As with any other investment, 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 requirements.

Get the correct hearing aids for your hearing loss

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

• Completely-in-the-Canal Hearing Aids (CIC): For individuals who want their hearing aids to be discrete and also provide high-quality sound, these hearing aids will be the ideal choice. The only problem is that they tend to have a shorter longevity and battery life. And some of the most modern functions are usually missing due to their smaller size.
• In-the-Canal Hearing Aids (ITC): These hearing aids are custom molded to your ear canal, which makes them mostly hidden. Because they’re a bit larger than CIC models, they might contain more high-tech functions. These devices are still pretty small and some of the features can be a little difficult to manipulate by hand. If you want your hearing aid to be discrete but also contain some advanced features, this style will be ideal.
• In-the-Ear Hearing Aids: This type of hearing aid is molded to fit entirely in your outer ear. A “half shell” version sits in your lower ear and a “full shell” version fits entirely inside your ear. These hearing aids are more visible but can contain sophisticated and powerful microphones, making them an excellent choice for noise control or complex hearing conditions.
• Behind-the-Ear Hearing Aids (BTE): In a sense, BTE hearing aids are the best of both worlds. This style of device has one bit that sits in your ear (that’s the speaker) but moves all of the bulky electronics to a housing that goes behind your ear. The little tube that connects the two elements is still rather discrete. These hearing aids are popular because they offer many amplification options. When you want the best of both power and visibility, these devices will be the best option.
• Receiving-in-the-Canal (or in the Ear) Hearing Aids (RIC or RITE): This is much like BTE hearing aids, except the speaker bit sits in the ear canal. They have the benefit of decreasing wind noise and are usually less visible.
• Open-Fit Hearing Aids: Open-fit hearing aids tend to let low-frequency sounds enter the ear even while you’re using the device. This makes them suitable for people who can hear those low-frequencies fairly well (but have difficulty with high-frequency sounds). Though it works well for many individuals, it won’t be a good choice for everybody.

Pros and Cons of over-the-counter hearing aids

Another possibility to think about is OTC or over-the-counter hearing aids. OTC hearing aids work fine in general, much like OTC medications. But it’s likely that OTC hearing aids won’t have the power you require if your hearing loss is more advanced or complex. Prescription hearing aids can be fine-tuned to your particular hearing needs which is an option generally not provided by OTC hearing aids.

No matter what kind of hearing aid you decide to buy, it’s always a smart plan to consult us about what will work best for your particular requirements.

Upkeep and repair

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

So, now you’re thinking: how often should my hearing aids be assessed? In general, you should schedule a routine maintenance and cleaning appointment for your hearing aids every six-to-twelve months. By doing this you can be certain everything is in good working order.

It’s also not a bad idea to be fairly familiar with your device’s warranty. If and when you need 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 is the best hearing aid?

There’s no single best hearing aid. If you go to twelve different hearing specialists and ask for the “best” hearing aid, they may provide you with twelve different models.

The key is to find the best hearing aid for you and for your personal requirements. Some individuals will opt for a minivan, others for a sport utility vehicle. The same is true for hearing aids, it just depends on your specific situation.

But the more you understand ahead of time and the better informed you are, the easier it will be to get the hearing aids that are ideal for you. Schedule a hearing test with us today!