Getting The Most Out of Your Hearing Aids

If you aren’t very wealthy, a car isn’t really an impulse purchase. So a great deal of research is most likely the first step you take. 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! You’re about to spend tens of thousands of dollars on something and spend years paying it off (unless, again, you are really wealthy). So you want to make sure it’s worth it!

You’ll be thinking about how your purchase best suits your lifestyle and also practical things such as safety, gas mileage, etc. What style of vehicle do you want? Do you require a lot of space to carry supplies around? How fast do you want your car to be?

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

The benefits of hearing aids

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

Yes, they help you hear, but for most people, the benefits are more tangible than that. With a set of hearing aids, you can remain connected to the people in your life. You’ll be able to more easily follow conversations at the dinner table, listen to your grandchildren tell you about fascinating dinosaurs, and chit-chat with the cashier at the supermarket.

It’s only logical that you would want to make your hearing aids last as long as you can given all of the benefits. You don’t want those benefits to stop.

Do more costly hearing aids work better?

There may be some people out there who would presume that the most effective way to make your hearing aid work better and last longer is to just purchase the most high priced device possible.

And, to be certain, 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 really small and very advanced. So the package you’re paying for is extremely technologically potent.
• They’re made 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. How profound your hearing loss is and, of course, what you can afford are a couple of the variables to consider. Do some hearing aids last longer than others? Of Course! 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 condition, as with any other purchase, they will need regular care and maintenance. Also, your hearing loss is unique to you and your hearing aids will need to be tuned to your right requirements.

Be sure you get the correct hearing aids for you

What options do you have? When it comes to hearing aids, you’ll have numerous different styles and types to choose from. You can work with us to determine which ones are ideal for you and your hearing needs. Here are the options you will have to choose from:

• Completely-in-the-Canal Hearing Aids (CIC): These kinds of hearing aids can provide high-quality sound and tend to be very discrete (great for individuals who want to hide their hearing aids). But with this kind of hearing aid, battery life, and overall longevity is often shorter. The small size also means you don’t get some of the most sophisticated functions.
• In-the-Canal Hearing Aids (ITC): These hearing aids are mostly hidden because they are molded to your ear canal. They will typically include more high-tech features being a little larger than CIC models. Some of these features can be a little tricky to manipulate by hand (because the devices are still fairly small). Even still, ITC models are ideal for people who require more features but still want to remain discreet.
• In-the-Ear Hearing Aids: This style of hearing aid is molded to sit completely inside your outer ear. A “half shell” version fits in your lower ear and a “full shell” version fits completely inside your ear. If you have complex hearing problems or need more powerful noise control, the more advanced 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 hearing aids are popular because they offer many amplification options. 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): With this model, the speaker part sits in the ear canal but they are otherwise a lot like BTE models. This makes them even less visible, with the added benefit of reducing 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 a good fit for individuals 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 everyone.

What about 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 fine in a basic way. But if your hearing loss warrants a set of more powerful hearing aids or more specialized hearing aids, OTC devices may fall a bit short. In general, OTC hearing aids can’t be specially tuned to your hearing like prescription hearing aids can.

No matter what type of hearing aid you choose to invest in, it’s always a smart plan to talk to us about what might work best for your particular needs.

Repair and maintenance

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

So how frequently will your hearing aids need to be assessed? Generally, 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 a good idea to be somewhat familiar with your device’s warranty. If and when you require repair, knowing what’s covered by that warranty and what’s not can save you some cash! So now you’re wondering: how do I make my hearing aids last longer? The answer is sometimes simple: good upkeep and a great warranty.

Is there a hearing aid that’s the best?

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

Which hearing aids match your hearing loss requirements will be the ones that are best for you. Just like with an automobile, for some an SUV will be the right choice, and for others, a minivan will best fit their lifestyles. The same is true with hearing aids, it all depends on your specific situation.

But you will have an easier time finding the hearing aid that’s best for you if you are well informed ahead of time. Schedule a hearing test with us today!

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