Getting The Most From Your Hearing Aids

A car isn’t really an impulse purchase (unless you’re really rich). So a great deal of research is most likely the first step you take. You look at reviews, you compare prices, and you consider gas mileage. (You’re on Google a lot.) This amount of research makes sense! For most people who aren’t wealthy, 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.

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

Put another way, to get the most out of your new car, you need to assess your options and make some choices. And when you’re picking out new hearing aids, it’s important to have this same mindset. They’re still an investment although they cost a lot less than a new car. And getting the most out of your investment means figuring out which devices work best, in general, as well as what provides the most for your lifestyle.

Hearing aid advantages

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

With all these benefits, it seems sensible that you’d start 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 expensive?

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

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

• Hearing aids are made to include very advanced technologies, and they have to make those technologies as small as possible. So the package you’re paying for is very technologically potent.
• They’re made to be long-lasting. Particularly if you take care of them.

But that doesn’t mean the most expensive option will automatically work best. How severe your hearing loss is and, obviously, what you can afford are a couple of the factors to think about. Do some hearing aids last longer than others? Certainly! But that isn’t always dictated by how costly the device was in the first place.

In order to keep your hearing aids in tip-top working order, as with any other investment, they will call for routine care and maintenance. Also, your hearing loss is distinct to you and your hearing aids will need to be calibrated to your right requirements.

Make sure you get the correct hearing aids for you

What choices do you have? When it comes to hearing aids, you’ll have several different styles and kinds to pick from. We can help you identify which hearing aids will be best for your hearing requirements. Here are the options you will have to pick from:

• Completely-in-the-Canal Hearing Aids (CIC): These types of hearing aids can provide high-quality sound and are generally very discrete (great for people who want to hide their hearing aids). The only trouble is that they tend to have a shorter longevity and battery life. And some of the most sophisticated features tend to be missing due to their smaller size.
• In-the-Canal Hearing Aids (ITC): These hearing aids are mostly discrete because they are molded to fit your ear canal. Because they’re a bit larger than CIC models, they might include more high-tech features. These devices are still rather small and some of the functions can be a bit difficult 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: These devices are also molded to your ears. No part of the hearing aid sits inside your ear canal, it all fits in your outer ear. A “half shell” version fits in your lower ear and a “full shell” version fits entirely in your ear. If you have complex hearing problems or need more powerful noise control, the more sophisticated technology and larger microphones will make these hearing aids a great choice.
• Behind-the-Ear Hearing Aids (BTE): The speaker of this device fits in your ear and the more bulky electronic part sits behind your ear making them the best of both worlds in a way. The small tube that connects the two elements is still pretty discrete. These devices are popular because they offer many amplification choices. These types are a great compromise between power and visibility.
• Receiving-in-the-Canal (or in the Ear) Hearing Aids (RIC or RITE): This is a lot like BTE hearing aids, except the speaker bit sits in the ear canal. They have the advantage of decreasing wind noise and are usually less visible.
• Open-Fit Hearing Aids: Even when you’re wearing the device, low-frequency sounds can still get into the ear. If you have trouble hearing higher frequencies but low-frequencies are not really an issue, these hearing aids will be a great fit for you. Though it works well for many individuals, it won’t be a good option for everybody.

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 it’s likely that OTC hearing aids won’t have the power you need if your hearing loss is more advanced or complex. In general, OTC hearing aids can’t be specially tuned to your hearing like prescription hearing aids can.

The best way to figure out what type of hearing aid will be best for you, you should consult with us.

Upkeep and repair

Obviously, once you’ve gone to all the trouble to pick out your perfect hearing aid type, you should take care of it. This is, once again, like a car which also requires upkeep.

So, now you’re thinking: how frequently should my hearing aids be checked? You should have your hearing aid cleaned and maintained every six months to a year. This gives you a chance to make sure everything’s working properly and as it should!

You should also become familiar with your warranty. You will save some money when you are aware of what is and isn’t covered. A strong warranty and regular maintenance will help your hearing last as long as possible.

Is there a hearing aid that’s the best?

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

Which hearing aids match your hearing loss needs will be the ones that are best for you. Some individuals will opt for a minivan, others for a sport utility vehicle. It all just depends, and the same is true for hearing aids.

But you will have an easier time finding the hearing aid that’s right for you if you are well informed beforehand. Schedule a hearing exam with us today!

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