Getting The Most From Your Hearing Aids

If you’re not very wealthy, a car isn’t really an impulse buy. Which means you will most likely do a ton of research ahead of time. You take a good look at things like gas mileage, price point, and customer reviews. (You’re on Google a lot.) This amount of research makes sense! You’re about to drop tens of thousands of dollars on something and spend years paying it off (unless, again, you are very rich). So you want to be certain it’s worth it!

Not only do you consider the concrete factors (gas mileage, safety, etc), but you’ll also give thought to best fits for your lifestyle. What style of vehicle do you enjoy? How much room do you need for weekly groceries? How much pep do you want to feel when you push down that gas pedal?

Put another way, to get the most from your new car, you have to assess 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’re still an investment. And getting the most from your investment means determining which devices work best, overall, as well as what delivers the most for your lifestyle.

Hearing aid benefits

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

The benefits of hearing aids, for most individuals, are more tangible than just helping you hear. 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 cool dinosaurs, and chit-chat with the cashier at the supermarket.

With all these benefits, it stands to reason that you’d start to ask, “How can I make my hearing aids last longer?” You don’t want those benefits to go away.

Do more expensive hearing aids work better?

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

And, to be certain, hearing aids are an investment. There’s a reason why some hearing aids are costly in the first place:

• Hearing aids are made to contain very sophisticated technologies, and they need to make those technologies as tiny as possible. That means you’re getting an extremely potent technological package.
• Hearing aids are also designed to last for quite a while. 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 consider (including the extent of your hearing loss and, well, how much you can spend!) Some hearing aids will definitely last longer than others. But the cost of the device isn’t always the deciding variable.

In order to keep your hearing aids in tip-top working order, as with any other investment, they will require regular care and maintenance. What’s more, your hearing aids will need to be tuned to your ears and calibrated for your distinct level of hearing loss.

Make sure you get the right hearing aids for you

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

• Completely-in-the-Canal Hearing Aids (CIC): These kinds of hearing aids can provide high-quality sound and are typically quite discrete (great for individuals who want to hide their hearing aids). The only problem is that they tend to have a shorter lifespan and battery life. And some of the most state-of-the-art functions are usually 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 slightly larger than CIC models, they might contain more high-tech features. Some of these functions can be a little tricky to adjust by hand (because the devices are still rather small). Even still, ITC models are great for individuals who require more features but still want to remain discreet.
• In-the-Ear Hearing Aids: This type of hearing aid is molded to fit entirely in your outer ear. Two styles are available (full shell, which fits the entirety of your ear, or half shell, which sits in the lower ear). These devices are more visible but can include sophisticated and powerful microphones, making them a great choice for noise control or complex hearing issues.
• 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 little tube that connects the two elements is still pretty discrete. These devices are popular because they offer many amplification solutions. These kinds are a good compromise between power and visibility.
• 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 reducing wind noise and are usually less visible.
• Open-Fit Hearing Aids: Even when you’re using the device, low-frequency sounds can still get into the ear. If you have problems hearing higher frequencies but low-frequencies aren’t really an issue, these hearing aids will be a good 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. OTC hearing aids work okay in general, much like OTC medications. But if your hearing loss warrants a set of more powerful hearing aids or more specialized hearing aids, OTC devices could fall somewhat short. In general, OTC hearing aids can’t be specifically programmed 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 talk with us.

Repair and upkeep

Obviously, once you’ve taken all of the steps to pick out your perfect hearing aid type, you need to take care of it. This is, once again, like a car which also requires maintenance.

So, now you’re thinking: how often should my hearing aids be assessed? You should have your hearing aid cleaned and properly maintained every six months to a year. By doing this you can be sure everything is in good working condition.

You should also get familiar with your 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 sometimes simple: good maintenance and a strong warranty.

Is there a hearing aid that’s the best?

There is no single best all-time hearing aid. Every hearing specialist might have a different model that they feel is the best.

The key is to choose the best hearing aid for you and for your personal requirements. Just like with an automobile, for some an SUV will be best, 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 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 assessment with us today!

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