Getting The Most From Your Hearing Aids

A car isn’t really an impulse buy (unless you’re very, very wealthy). Which means you will most likely do a lot of research first. You take 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 makes sense! You’re about to drop tens of thousands of dollars on something and spend years paying for it (unless, again, you are very rich). So you want to be certain it’s worth it!

You’ll be thinking about how your purchase best suits your lifestyle and also practical things like safety, gas mileage, etc. Is there a particular style of vehicle you really like? How much room do you need for weekly supplies? How much power do you need to feel when you push down that gas pedal?

Put another way, to get the most from your new car, you have to examine your options and make some choices. And that’s the same mindset you should have when selecting your hearing aids. They’re still an investment although they cost much less than a new car. 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.

The benefits of hearing aids

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

Yes, they help you hear, but for most individuals, the benefits are more tangible than that. Staying involved with your friends and family will be a lot easier with a good set of hearing aids. You’ll have an easier time chatting with the clerk at the pharmacy, listening to a tale about dinosaurs over dinner with your grandchildren, 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 don’t want those benefits to go away.

Are higher quality hearing aids always more costly?

Some individuals might think that they can only get a quality hearing aid if they get the highest-priced device.

And, to be certain, hearing aids can be an investment. Here are a couple of reasons why some hearing aids might be costly:

• The technology inside of a hearing aid is very tiny 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 relevant.

But that doesn’t mean the most costly option will inevitably work best. How severe your hearing loss is and, obviously, your budget are a couple of the variables to consider. Some hearing aids will undoubtedly last longer than others. But that isn’t always determined by how expensive the device was in the first place.

As with any other purchase, hearing aids will need regular maintenance in order to continue working properly. What’s more, your hearing aids will have to be tuned to your ears and calibrated for your unique level of hearing loss.

Make sure you get the best hearing aids for you

So, what are your choices? You’ll be able to pick from numerous different styles and types. You can work with us to figure out which ones are best for you and 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 ideal choice. The only trouble is that they tend to have a shorter longevity and battery life. And some of the most sophisticated functions are typically missing because of their smaller size.
• In-the-Canal Hearing Aids (ITC): These hearing aids are custom molded to your ear canal, which makes them mostly hidden. They will typically have more high-tech features being slightly bigger than CIC models. These devices are still rather small and some of the functions can be a bit hard to manipulate by hand. Even still, ITC models are ideal for individuals who require more features but still want to remain discreet.
• In-the-Ear Hearing Aids: These hearing aids are also molded to your ears. No part of the hearing aid sits in your ear canal, it all fits in your outer ear. Two styles are available (full shell, which fits the entirety of your ear, or half shell, which fits in the lower ear). If you have complex hearing issues 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): In a way, BTE hearing aids are the best of both worlds. This type of hearing aid has one part 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 perfect solution.
• Receiving-in-the-Canal (or in the Ear) Hearing Aids (RIC or RITE): This is much like BTE hearing aids, except the speaker part 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 will allow low-frequency sounds to enter the ear even while you’re using the device. If you have problems hearing higher frequencies but low-frequencies are not really a problem, these hearing aids will be a great fit for you. It isn’t a good choice for all forms of hearing loss, but it does work well for many people.

Pros and Cons of over-the-counter hearing aids

Another possibility to think about is OTC or over-the-counter hearing aids. The trouble is that OTC hearing aids are sort of like OTC medications, they work okay in a general sense. 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. Prescription hearing aids can be fine-tuned to your specific hearing needs which is an option 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.

Upkeep and repair

After you choose the best hearing aid for your hearing needs, taking care of it is essential. This is, once again, like a car which also requires upkeep.

So, now you’re thinking: how frequently should my hearing aids be checked? 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 somewhat familiar with your device’s warranty. You will save some cash when you are aware of what is and isn’t covered. So now you’re wondering: how do I make my hearing aids last longer? The answer is usually simple: good maintenance and a great warranty.

So… what’s the best hearing aid?

There isn’t a single best all-time hearing aid. Every hearing specialist may have a different model that they feel is the best.

Which hearing aids match your hearing loss needs will be the ones that are best for you. Just like with a vehicle, 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 understand beforehand and the better informed you are, the easier it will be to get the hearing aids that are perfect for you. Contact us to schedule a consultation today!

Call Today to Set Up an Appointment