How to Get The Most From Your Hearing Aids

If you’re not really rich, a car isn’t really an impulse buy. Which means you will probably do a ton of research ahead of time. You have a good look at things such as gas mileage, overall price, and customer reviews. Google is your best friend right now. This level of research is logical! 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!

You’ll be considering how your purchase best fits your lifestyle and also practical things like safety, gas mileage, etc. What type of vehicle do you want? How much room do you need for weekly supplies? How much pep do you want to feel when you press down that accelerator?

In other words, to get the most from your new car, you need to evaluate your options and make some decisions. And that’s the same attitude you should take when choosing your hearing aids. They won’t cost tens of thousands of dollars, but they are an investment. And getting the most from your investment means determining which devices work best, in general, as well as what provides the most for your lifestyle.

Hearing aid benefits

In just the same way that you can discuss the benefits of a car in a very general way, you can also talk about the benefits of hearing aids in a similarly broad way. Hearing aids are pretty awesome!

The advantages of hearing aids, for most people, are more tangible than simply helping you hear. Staying connected with your friends and family will be much easier with a good set of hearing aids. You’ll be able to more easily follow conversations during dinner, listen to your grandchildren 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 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?

Some individuals might assume that they can only get a quality hearing aid if they get the most expensive device.

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

• The technology inside of a hearing aid is really tiny and very state-of-the-art. So the package you’re paying for is very technologically potent.
• They’re designed to be long-lasting. Particularly if you take care of them.

But the most expensive model won’t necessarily be your best fit or work the best. There are lots of factors to think about (including the extent of your hearing loss and, well, how much you can spend!) Some hearing aids will certainly 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 continue working effectively. What’s more, your hearing aids will have to be calibrated to your ears and adjusted for your specific level of hearing loss.

Get the appropriate hearing aids for your hearing loss

So, what are your options? You’ll be able to pick from numerous different styles and types. 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 choose from:

• Completely-in-the-Canal Hearing Aids (CIC): These kinds of hearing aids can deliver high-quality sound and tend to be very discrete (perfect for people who want to hide their hearing aids). The only trouble is that they tend to have a shorter lifespan 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 mostly hidden because they are molded to fit your ear canal. They will often have more high-tech functions being a bit larger than CIC models. These devices are still rather small and some of the functions can be a bit tricky to manipulate by hand. If you want your hearing aid to be discrete but also include some sophisticated features, this style will be ideal.
• In-the-Ear Hearing Aids: This type of hearing aid is molded to fit completely inside your outer ear. A “half shell” version sits in your lower ear and a “full shell” version fits totally inside your ear. These devices are more exposed but can contain advanced and powerful microphones, making them a great choice for noise control or complex hearing problems.
• 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 little tube that connects the two parts is still pretty discrete. These hearing aids are popular because they provide many amplification choices. When you want the best of both visibility and power, 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 advantage of decreasing things like wind noise.
• Open-Fit Hearing Aids: Open-fit hearing aids will let low-frequency sounds enter the ear even while you’re hearing 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. It isn’t a good option for all types of hearing loss, but it does work well for many individuals.

What about over-the-counter hearing aids?

Another option to think about is OTC or over-the-counter hearing aids. OTC hearing aids work okay in general, much like OTC medications. But if your hearing loss calls for a set of more powerful hearing aids or more specialized hearing aids, OTC devices could fall somewhat short. Generally, OTC hearing aids can’t be specially calibrated to your hearing like prescription hearing aids can.

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

Repair and upkeep

After you decide on the ideal hearing aid for your hearing needs, taking care of it is essential. Just like your car requires oil changes now and then.

So how frequently will your hearing aids need to be assessed? Generally, you should schedule a routine upkeep and cleaning appointment for your hearing aids every six-to-twelve months. This gives you a chance to make sure that everything is working effectively and as it should!

You should also become familiar with your warranty. If and when you need repair, knowing what’s covered by that warranty and what isn’t can save you some cash! So now you’re wondering: how can I make my hearing aids last longer? The answer is usually simple: good upkeep and a strong warranty.

So… what’s the best hearing aid?

There’s no single best hearing aid. Every hearing specialist may have a different model that they feel is the best.

The secret is to find the best hearing aid for you and for your needs. Just like with an automobile, for some an SUV will be the right choice, and for others, a minivan will best fit their lifestyles. It all just depends, and the same is true for hearing aids.

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